In 2009, American Farriers Journal joined six industry suppliers to create the Rising Shoeing Star award to be given out each year at the International Hoof-Care Summit. This award is presented to three farriers who have made exceptional professional progress within 3 years of graduating from farrier school.

This year’s co-sponsors include G.E. Forge & Tool, Hawthorne Products, Nature Farms Farrier Supply, Texas Farrier Supply, R.J. Matthews Co., AIM Equine Products, Dechra Veterinary Products and American Farriers Journal.

Each winner received a plaque, a 1-year subscription to American Farriers Journal, the AFJ “Kitchen Sink” package (a footcare library with over 3,500 pages of reference material) and free registration to the Summit.

In addition, the first-place winner receives $1,000 and the two runners-up each receive $500. The schools that produced the three winners also received plaques and copies of the Kitchen Sink package.

The farriers honored at this year’s Summit were: Ben Groves, Breanne Rodwell and Garrett McDowell.

Ben Groves, the 2019 Rising Shoeing Star winner, advises young farriers to look for opportunities “to work with others in the equine industry, not just other farriers. Every day is an opportunity to learn.”

Ben Groves,
Whaleyville, Md.

Ben Groves became intertwined with the equine industry almost by accident. After taking some time off from graduate school, he began helping out on a farm with his future wife, a horse professional. Despite not knowing much about horses, he knew they shouldn’t be limping after a farrier visit and sought out what he…