World Championship Blacksmiths is accepting entries for the 2024 Blacksmith World Championships at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.
The Blacksmith World Championships will be Sept. 4-8, 2024, during the “Masters” — a CSIO 5* Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) show jumping tournament — at Spruce Meadows. The prize pool exceeds $190,000 CND.
The Blacksmith World Championships returned to Calgary in 2024 for the first time in nearly a decade. Cheshire, England, farrier Matthew Randles won the crown by amassing 660 points over the 5-day event. Dillon Crane of Waxhaw, N.C., is the reserve champion with 601 points, while Steven Beane of Yorkshire, England, rounds out the top three with 591 points. The tournament awarded $136,000 USD in prize money, including $75,000 to the winner.
The Calgary Stampede ended the World Championship Blacksmiths Competition after 35 years, citing a desire to evolve and refresh its program. Beane, a five-time world champion, won the last World Championship Blacksmiths Competition at the Calgary Stampede in 2014. Randles was the reserve champion at that tournament.
The Stampede continued with a forging exhibition over the 10 days of the event but discontinued it after a few years. World Championship Blacksmiths and Spruce Meadows announced in 2019 the return of the tournament to Calgary in 2020. However, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation. The tournament was revitalized after public health concerns were alleviated.
Entries are open until March 1 for competitors who participated in the 2023 Blacksmith World Championships. Entries open March 4 for all farriers. The entry fee is $800 USD. To enter, email worldchampionshipblacksmiths@gmail.com.
