First off, I think AFJ is a great magazine, and I’m not bashing it in anyway. However, I think you should run more mail-in forging exercises.

As a competition shoemaker and a full-time farrier, I think mail-in competitions may lead more people to the Journal by doing more mail-in shoes. These wouldn’t have to be overly complicated, but enough to push all farriers to get more involved.

Farriery is not rocket science, and I think it’s great how much information we get in each issue. More mail-in competitions may be something to change it up a bit and get more of the blacksmith side.

— D.J. Gouge, Easton, Ill.

Thanks for your letter, D.J. We currently have one mail-in competition to commemorate the final World Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition in Calgary. This is free to enter and every contestant will receive a free T-shirt and book, courtesy of Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and American Farriers Journal. The overall winner will earn a belt buckle. You can find out more about this contest at www.americanfarriers.com/calgary.

Continuing Education Pays

We would like to extend a big thank you for the American Farriers Journal product donations you made for our 22nd annual open house and clinic in late March. The attending horseshoers always look forward to the free products and the opportunity to educate themselves.

—Rene Aldridge, NC Tool Company, Pleasant Garden, N.C.

Thanks For AFJ’s Support

All of us involved with the Southeastern Triple Crown series of events would like to take a…