TUMBARUMBA lady Hayley Hinton took out the inaugural horseshoeing competition at the Adelong Show on Saturday.
This was the first time such an event has been held in the local shows, according to organiser Chris O’Kane of Wagga.
Special guest judge for the event was world-renowned farrier and horseman, Peter Strafford.
Before announcing the winner of the competition Mr Strafford made a few comments praising all who had competed.
“His praise was so good that he told the contestants that professionals need to come along and see what has been done [on Saturday] that’s how high the standard has been.
“There is a lot of potential, it was not easy today as the feet were very dry; it was more challenging particularly for the hind feet.
“The feet needed to be well trimmed and prepared and the nailing was exceptional,” Mr Strafford said.
The point score was judged in four categories, 25 points in each, and on top of that 10 points were available for overall horsemanship for 110 points all up.
“All four competitors were given 10 points for their horsemanship, there was nothing between them,” Mr Strafford said.
Mr Strafford explained that each section of shoeing a horse would be inspected before the farrier went on to the next part.
Hoofs had to cleaned and pared, filed, and measured before a shoe, which were modelled on the spot, were nailed on.
At the end Mr Strafford said all four horses shod were very good and the owners would have been very proud of them.
The horses were supplied by David McGruer of Tumut for this first competition.
The horseshoeing competition took just over two hours with Mr Strafford watching, studying each contestant’s skills and making sure that everything was being done properly.
But in the end the numbers were scrunched, compared and rechecked before being announced.
Hayley came in first with a score 96 out of a possible 110; Liam Smith of Holbrook came in a very close second on 95 points; Carson Stockley of Coolamon was placed third with 91 points and fourth was Adelong local, David Roots on 88.5 points.
Mr Strafford congratulated all four amateur farriers on their workmanship again praising the high standard shown in this inaugural event.
The O’Kane sponsored perpetual shield will be retained by the Adelong Show Society with the winner taking away a prize.
Organiser, Chris O’Kane said he was very pleased with the running and results of the first-time event.
“We originally had seven contestants, but unfortunately three pulled out – but for a fist time the four that competed were all great,” he said.
Mr Strafford has been in the farrier business for 55 years, first completing his apprenticeship at Flemington (Melbourne) where during his career he became the head farrier for racing in Melbourne and shod many Melbourne Cup horses as well as champions.
He thanked the organiser for inviting him to come to Adelong describing it [showgrounds] as beautiful country – having showgrounds in the Snowy Mountains area is wonderful.
He said farriers come from all walks of life – “there are farmer farriers, fencer farriers, stockman farriers – men and women from everywhere,” he said.
And will the horseshoeing event return next year to Adelong – well we have to wait and see but going by the feeling of those who took part and the many who stood and watched – it probably will come back.
