Midwest Horseshoeing School Celebrates 50th Anniversary

With a change in both ownership and staff, the Midwest Horseshoeing School is gearing up to extend its commitment to farrier education over the next half century.

In late December 2013, Steve and Laurie Sermersheim bought the 50-year-old Divernon, Ill., horseshoeing school. The former owner, Steve Hedges, will continue as a partner, school instructor and as coordination manager. In addition, Diego Almeida, named as one of this year’s American Farriers Journal Rising Shoeing Star award winners at the 2014 International Hoof-Care Summit, will become a full-time instructor at the school. Donnie Perkinson will also continue in his role as a school instructor.

The school got its start in 1964 and for 46 years was based in Macomb, Ill., under the leadership of Roy Evans. Sermersheim says the school will keep its belief in fundamental farriery and building a strong foundation for new farriers.

“We believe it takes a strong team like ours to get students on the right track to a successful career in the business,” he says. “Our students will know what it takes to become a good farrier. It takes a lifetime of learning, hard work and dedication.”

The school has added a 20-week course to its schedule with the goal of developing a yearlong course in the near future.

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