Lansing, Mich., was the location of the Michigan Horseshoers Association’s (MHA) 2013 contest and clinic. Now in its 44th year, the annual event is the longest-running contest and clinic in the United States.

Jim Quick, of Longmont, Colo., served as judge during the Jan. 3 to 5 event. Each year the MHA Contest and Clinic features lectures, forging competitions and live shoeing demonstrations.

The 2013 contest gave attendees the chance to compete in several shoe-forging categories including novice, intermediate, open, two- and three-man draft. Each category featured several different types of shoes for the competitors to make along with a live shoeing competition.

Sara Vanderpol, of Elora, Ontario, won the novice eagle eye while Kentucky farrier Victor Frisco took the novice high point. Jason Stoneman, of Perry, Mich., won the intermediate eagle eye and Vern Powell, of Marengo, Ill., earned the intermediate high point.

Georgetown, Ontario, farrier Travis Buck took the open eagle eye. Joe Nygren, of Seymour, Wis., won the open high point and also took first in the two-man draft along with partner Alan Dryg, of Crete, Ill. First place in the three-man draft competition went to Ontario farriers Mike Smith, Doug Buck and Travis Buck.

Nygren took home the “Best Shod Foot” trophy. Tom Willoughby of Crown Point, Ind., won the Creative Forging award.

Sponsors of the MHA Contest and Clinic…