The deadline to pre-register for the 43rd Annual AFA Convention is quickly approaching! You must sign up by Saturday, February 15, 2014 in order to receive the special discounted rate. Registrations will be accepted via mail, fax, e-mail, online store and phone. Please see the registration packet link below.

AFA Convention Registration Packet

The 43rd Annual Convention Program is now available to view!
Select the cover photo below to view the program now! Many new and exciting changes have been made to the program to make it even more user friendly!

Colossal Auction at the AFA Convention in Reno!!

Interested in donating an item to the AFA Auction in Reno, but aren't quite sure how to go about it?! Well, here is all the information you need to know!

Dear Donor,

We are all so looking forward to this year's Reno Convention Live Auction. It promises to be spectacular but we can't do it without YOU. As Auction Director, I'm respectfully asking you to consider contributing to this year's Auction in Reno.

Hand made blacksmith items are always a huge success

Special items from supplier's inventory - excellent

Unique Items:

A trip somewhere

A vacation in your beach house or mountain cabin

A day with a great farrier

A clinic or convention package

A great auction takes planning and preparation. The hardest part is receiving items at the last minute, very difficult to include when everything is all laid out. Help me help you pull together your wonderful items by planning ahead with me.

To make a donation, fill out the DONATION FORM and return to me by mail, fax or email.

Ada Gates Patton

223 West Maple Ave

Monrovia CA 91016

Fax: 626-357-0048

adagates1@gmail.com

Cell: 626-327-3650 cell

To ship a donation, SHIP ITEMS to:

Jean Meneley

10405 Wells Fargo Road

Reno NV 89508

Cell: 775-233-9937

Shipments to be received no later than Feb 25.

Deliver items at Convention. Call, text, or email me to connect. I'll be staying at The Silver Legacy Host Hotel under Ada Gates Patton.

Auction: Friday, February 28, 2014 6 pm

Location: Expo B & C Lower Level Silver Legacy Casino Resort

Thank you, thank you.

Ada Gates Patton - Auction Director

626-327-3650 cell

adagates1@gmail.com

626-357-0048 fax

Auction Donation Form

Items for auction donated by the Silver Legacy Resort Casino include:

1. 2 nights at the exclusive and beautiful Vintner's Inn in California's Sonoma Valley, with dinner for two on one evening at the adjacent award winning John Ash Restaurant. The donation also features a tour of the nearby Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery and one case (12 bottles) of Ferrari-Carano wines hand selected by the vineyard owners, Rhonda & Don Carano.

2. The Silver Legacy will provide complimentary twenty (20) prize letters. Each of the prize certificates provide the bearer a midweek (valid Sunday through Thursday nights) 3 nights complimentary stay in a deluxe room at Silver Legacy. The prize letters will not be valid over the convention dates in 2014 and expire one year after the convention - on or about March 31, 2015.

3. The Silver Legacy will provide one case of Ferrari Carano wine for the auction.

Raffles, Raffles, Raffles!!

Thanks to a very generous donation from Anvil Brand, the American Farriers Team will be raffling off an Anvil Brand 200lb. Legend Anvil at the 2014 Convention! Tickets are $5 each, or get 5 for $20! You may purchase the tickets from any of the team members on site in Reno, or if you are interested in purchasing them early, please contact AFT manager Conrad Trow at 502-321-0979. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 28th at the AFA Banquet.

In addition, Stephen and Nichole Smith have donated a forge that will be raffled off during the general membership meeting. You must be present to win, so make sure you attend this meeting on Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm in Expo C of the Silver Legacy.

If these two fantastic opportunities aren't enough, we will also be raffling off a John Deere X300 Riding Mower, valued at $3,000!!! Stop by the AFA registration office to purchase your tickets up until the drawing on Friday night at the AFA Banquet.

Networking and Hands-On Stations at Convention to be run by stars of the farrier world!

The all star line-up includes:

Grant Moon, CJF, AWCF

Mark Milster, CJF

Jack Schwarz, CF

Billy Crothers, AWCF

Chris Gregory, CJF, AWCF

Mitch Taylor, CJF

Larkin Greene

Danvers Child, CJF

Jim Keith, CJF

Tim Shannon, CJF

The Japanese Farriers Association

AFA Launches Answer Blog

Do you have a question about how the AFA works? Do you have a question concerning one of our programs? We are sure that you do. The Executive Committee has started a Blog in order to answer these questions. The Blog has launched and can be read at http://asktheafa.blogspot.com/.

Questions for the blog can be sent to: asktheafa@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed

The AFA Executive Committee is looking for members who would like to volunteer to be a committee member or committee chairperson. Many different committees and opportunities are available. Please contact AFA President John Blombach, CJF for more information. John may be reached at phantomfarrier@comcast.net.

AFA Sponsors World Championship Blacksmiths

We are proud to announce we will be sponsoring the WCB this year at the Anvil Stand sponsorship level. The sponsorship includes:

AFA logo on an anvil stand at each 2014 event
Recognition on signage at event host hotels
Recognition in event programs
A minimum of 5 PA announcements during events
Website link from WCB website
AFA logo on print matter
Facebook recognition

The WCB remarked that "It is going to be a very exciting year for us and we are so happy that you will be with us as we continue to grow and expose our awesome trade to many different horse owners and farriers alike."

AFA Mourns Another Great Loss

The AFA was saddened to hear of the passing of longtime member Charles Orlando, CJF of Belmont, NY. Charley passed away January 23rd of a massive stroke. His obituary can be found below.
Charles Orlando, CJF Obituary

Professional Farrier

There are several ways to view your PF. It will arrive in your inbox from Equine Veterinarian with links to both Magazines. You will also find links on the AFA web site and Facebook page. If you have been viewing the new digital PF on line and find it grainy and hard to read, just scroll over the page and click your mouse to expand and enlarge to full page view and it will be crisp and easy to read. We get both the Professional Farrier and Equine Veterinarian.

Did you know you can advertise in the Professional Farrier e-zine and get your business seen by over 10,000 vets, farriers and horse owners?! Contact Dick Booth at Boca Publishing today to hear the great advertising rates available!

bocapublishing@bellsouth.net

Click the link below to view the December 2013 Issue

December 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

October 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

August 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

June 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

April 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

February 2013 Professional Farrier E-zine

December 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

December 2012 Equine Veterinarian E-zine

June 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

June 2012 Equine Veterinarian E-zine

October 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

August 2012 Professional Farrier E-zine

Events Calendar

Please send your events and functions to the AFA office for inclusion in the Website Events Calendar and our Facebook page.

Certification Calendar

For the most current certification calendar, please select the link below.

AFA Certification Calendar

Private Events Liability Disclaimer:

The American Farriers Association, its officers, Board of Directors and employees will not be held liable for injury, loss or damage to personal property associated with non AFA events.

Roving Reporters:

We are looking for roving reporters from around the world. If you or someone you know travels around the globe and has a farrier related story we would like to know about it. Please contact John Blombach phantomfarrier@comcast.net or the AFA office.

Chapter Spotlight

If you would like the Spotlight on your chapter, send a short story of a recent event your chapter held and we will give your chapter the Chapter Spotlight.

Complimentary Classifieds

If you have items that are farrier related we will provide limited space for a complimentary ad for our members. Please send your ad to the AFA office. Limit: two lines - no photos.

Apprentice Connection

If you are looking to work for another farrier or if you are looking to hire a helper, apprentice, Journeyman, etc, please send us a description of your needs or qualifications and we will publish your contact information. Arrangements are made privately between the individuals and the Association cannot be responsible for the outcome.

See you in Reno February 25 through February 28, 2014!

Mission of the AFA

"To further the professional development of farriers, to provide leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education."