| ... and here I am trying to get my Holiday wishes out to all my valued friends and clients. My schedule has been very busy at this time of the year as has my entire schedule through out this past year. Looking back, this years past events, include: |
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| January; I attended the annual Michigan Horseshoers Association Contest and clinic in East Lansing, MI where I was appointed the MHA Secretary. A job I willingly accepted with much enthusiasm.
February, I headed to Kansas City, MO to attend the American Farriers Associations annual National Convention. What a great educational experience this event continues to be for me. It was there that I took the second portion of my AFA Certification test, the written exam, and successfully passed. |
No
foot, No horse.
Jennifer Horn, CF
Dafter, Michigan
Phone (906) 632-3041
Barn: (906) 632-7712
Truck: (906) 440-2537
farrier@jenniferhorn.com
www.jenniferhorn.com
Jennifer
Horn Farrier Service |
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In March, I traveled to St. Cloud, MN where I turned in my shoe display, the third and final portion of my AFA Certification exam. After successfully reproducing a shoe on site for the examiner, I had then obtained my AFA Certified Farrier status. Wow. What a feeling it was to know I had reached a specific level of craft for my trade. I also attended the annual Open House in
Cannonsburg, MI at Mankel Blacksmith shop. Another opportunity to educate myself and mingle with my fellow Farriers and friends. I extended my stay in southern Michigan to spend two days working with a few of my mentors which included Jim Dolsen and Steve Kurschat in the Oxford area and the second day with Internationally know Dick Becker and his apprentice Jeff Powers in the area of Lapeer. I can't even explain how beneficial these experiences are to a farrier such as myself.
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In April, I had Mr. Steven Rubin, Master Equine Dentist, as a guest at my farm. For two days he provided service to several of my horses and horses belonging to some of my clients. Wrapping up April, I attended the annual Open House at Goodyear Horseshoe Supply in Montrose, MI. It was there that I was exposed to Bob Marshall and had the opportunity to attend a one day hands on clinic with this World famous
Farrier. What Bob did for me that day has influenced much of what followed and has become an addiction and a passion for me. Bob Marshall is a 5 time winner of the World Champion Blacksmithing award in Calgary, has been the coach of the Canadian Farriers team and the American Farriers team, has been inducted into the Horseshoers Hall of fame in both the United States and Canada.
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May was a busy month for me, starting the show season in Chippewa county and I also reached the 30 year mark in the birthday calendar.
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In June, I made the mistake of messing around with a lawn mower, which broke my right hand thumb. Unfortunately, that set back some of my shoeing work. My good friend and mentor Joe Nichols and his apprentice Jeff Smith came to my rescue. For three days, these fine gentlemen held my business together, catching me up on my work until my cast would be removed. I also decided to continue my certification testing and began the process to become a AFA Certificated Journeyman Farrier by taking my written exam. There were seven Farriers taking the written exam that day, and only two of us passed. I'm proud to say, I had the high
score.
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| July was a busy month shoeing horses. Shows and trail rides keep me busy both working and playing. |
Recognition goes to:
(all of my clients receive recognized for being terrific- but here are a few categories just for fun)
- Largest Horses:
Duane Bawks, Pickford, and
Glenn Cornwell, Rudyard
- Smallest Horses:
Georgia Belonga, St Ignace and
Marilu Neelis, St. Ignace
- Warmest Barn:
nobody wins this award...as mother nature kept all your barns warm up until Christmas
- Largest Barn:
Sheri Salo, Dafter and
Bob & Maxine McCrory, Sault Ste. Marie
- Most Improvements to barn:
Patti Taylor-Lawrence, Sault Ste.
Marie, Katherine Gregory, Sault Ste.
Marie & Gail Wilson, Brimley
- Newest Client:
Abby Holland, Sault Ste. Marie and
Terry & Teresa Jensen & family, Pickford
- Oldest Client:
Candy Gallagher, Hessel and
Debbie Sabisch, Dafter
- Closest Client:
Laura Andrews, Dafter
- Farthest Client:
Sylvie Nuzzolilo, Vanderbilt
- Best Brownies:
Emily Boone, Sault Ste. Marie
- Best
Apprentice:
Johanna Schiemann, Sault Ste. Marie
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And August was much the same. Then, the fair time heading into September is always busy. Late September found me busy in my shop practicing for a first time event.
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| In early October, I entered my first horseshoeing competition, held in Findley, OH. My good friend Joe Nichols spent time helping me prepare for the contest. My only goal was to be able to complete a class and have a shoe to turn in for judging. I left a more than happy woman and Farrier carrying home a fifth, fourth, third and even a first place ribbon. A wonderful writer, Jean
Shibley, from the Evening News, captured these events in an excellent article she wrote, accompanied by a full page photo sheet. And then later that month, I was invited to spend three days at a hands on clinic with that...oh so wonderful...Bob Marshall. The event was held at friend Dick Becker's shop in Lapeer, MI. My main goal at the three day clinic was to work on my forge welding skills to help me create the hand forged, and forge welded bar shoe which would be the next step in my Journeyman testing exams. A wonderful experience, a great learning adventure, and a step towards AFA Journeyman Certification were among my gains. Not to mention, yet another invitation to work with the famous Bob Marshall. |
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November, I found myself in the center of the room when Purina asked me to give a lecture regarding the horses hoof. I also spoke to interested horse owners at the Open House held at Charlotte Ridge Equestrian Center owned by Bob & Maxine
McCrory.
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In December, I subjected myself to the second step of my Journeyman exams, the bar shoe I had been practicing endlessly. I headed to the test in Clare, MI confidently and prepared. I produced my bar shoe feeling very good about the efforts I had put forth and about the shoe I had turned in. I have come so far in just one years time and here I was before the score board again. Bobby Menker from OH was the tough examiner who told me: "you're right on the bubble". He had scored me two points short of passing, sent me home with tears in my eyes, and determination in my heart. So, now, I've enjoyed the holidays with my families, and headed back to the shop. I have shoes to practice, goals to reach, and forging skills to learn.
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The new year pots and pans have already rang in our ears and here we go...let's do it again. I'm starting out the new year by heading to my second horseshoeing contest held in East Lansing, MI at the MHA annual contest and clinic. I am also running for the Secretary position for that wonderful association who has provided me with so much over the past years.
February will find me traveling to Mission, British Columbia, the home of that world famous guy I've been telling you about, Bob Marshall. I'm taking him up on the initiation to join him in a four day hands on clinic. This is a chance of a life time. I am very honored to have this rare opportunity.
March will carry me to Lexington, KY to attend the annual AFA convention. I will cheer for my good friends Joe Nichols and Dick Becker who will be competing on a National level together in the draft horse class and Dick will compete individually trying for a chance to become a member of the AFA Farriers Team.
After that... who knows where I'll head to... Probably the closest test location where I can continue to accomplish the goals needed to obtain my AFA Certified Journeyman statues. Something that I want deeply in my heart for myself, the horses I work on, and for you, my valued clients. I thank you all for your continued support and business. I look forward to improving my Farrier skills to better serve you and your wonderful animals.
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GOD BLESS AMERICA !
