After a decade of drawing farrier teams from around the globe to Kentucky, organizers of the World Horseshoeing Classic are ending its popular annual competition.

Citing monetary and scheduling problems, World Championship Blacksmiths and Kentucky Horseshoeing School — organizers of the event — have announced its run is over. 

“After long consideration, it became clear that with the increased challenge of fundraising and the ongoing issues with scheduling, it was time to move on to other endeavors,” according to the organizers. “The past 10 years have been such a pleasure to participate in with each of you and it could not have happened without each competitor’s dedication and commitment. We thank each of you for that commitment and look forward to catching up with you in the future.”

Team Revolution won the competition in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold around the world. The 2021 event, however, was not to be. Like many events before it, the World Horseshoeing Classic was canceled. Many within the industry didn’t envision the end of the contest itself, though.

“I hate to hear that,” says John Schmidt, a Shelbyville, Tenn., farrier, who was a Classic competitor. “It was always a great competition. You could count on seeing the world’s best.”

The event, which took place annually at Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Richmond, Ky., not only drew more than a dozen teams of the best farriers from around the world, its judges were consistently among the most respected.

“Very sad news,” says Bob Pethick, an International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member from Califon, N.J. “The World Horseshoeing Classic in my opinion has been the top competition I have ever attended or judged. It was a great competition. It will be sadly missed.”

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