When Joe Nygren, CJF, DipWCF, was searching for farrier schools, he recalls paging through the listings in American Farriers Journal for the right one. Though he could barely understand Chris Gregory’s, CJF, ASF, FWCF, New Mexico accent, he figured that an Educator and Clinician of the Year could probably teach him something.

With one young child and another on the way after school, Nygren worked full-time for Pierce Manufacturing in Wisconsin and shod horses on the side. With little time for ride-alongs or clinics and with few other farriers in his area to connect with, he didn’t start his career in earnest until 2 years later. In Nebraska at one of Chris Gregory’s clinics, Nygren met Kyle Ballard, CJF.

“You could tell he was confident in himself and knew what he was doing,” Nygren says. “He had a World Championship Blacksmiths jacket on, and I thought, I want to be like him.”

When he got home, he immediately signed up for the 2009 Blacksmith World Championship. In between, he attended an Anvil Brand clinic, where he was introduced to Matt Lybeck, CJF, who encouraged him to enter his first state contest before jumping right into the World Championship.

“I didn’t know any competition etiquette,” Nygren says. “I was done in 30 minutes, so I shut my forge off and walked around and watched everyone. Afterward, Matt told me I shouldn’t do that. It’s disrespectful to the judge.”

Still, Nygren earned several ribbons for his efforts. From there, he kept attending competitions and clinics, his version of an apprenticeship. By the time he was named a 2011 Rising Shoeing Star, he regularly competed while operating a successful business. Though his skills have improved because of how frequently he competes, what hasn’t changed is his hunger for knowledge. He’s continually looking to improve, even though there have been lessons along the way he simply wasn’t ready to hear.

“Cody Gregory, CJF, FWCF Hons, said on a podcast that people don’t really plateau,” Nygren says. “Their hands just catch up to their eyes. Then pretty soon their eyes see something new, and now their hands have to catch up to that.”

When it comes to the cutting edge of farrier science, Nygren is of the camp that there isn’t necessarily new information, just new ways to look at a hoof. This means there will always be questions that need answers, something he embraces in his drive to be better.

Since Nygren has reduced his competition schedule in the last 2 years, he’s found that he has to re-school himself on the details. Because he holds himself to a high standard, a small imperfection on the nail holes of a bar shoe might get it thrown out. When judging competitions, he is especially detail-oriented.

“Clinicians are good horseshoers,” he says. “They know the basics at a very high level.”

Passionate farriers spend time going to competitions, clinics and join local associations to learn. They aren’t in it for the paycheck, Nygren says, because they’re spending money to be there. That’s how he achieved his level of success as a two-time member of the American Farriers Team with three Top 10 finishes at the Blacksmith World Championships.

“If I have a problem, I go on my phone, and I can call 25 or 30 guys and ask their advice. Whether it’s how to deal with a certain foot or managing client relations. Otherwise, I would have to figure it out on my own.”

Nygren practices what he preaches. As a clinician, he takes the time to answer questions and provide feedback on contest entries because that’s how he learned. As a talented and successful farrier, he immerses himself in his community and local contests to improve and to keep himself sharp.