Competitive horseshoers have been dreaming about the day when a “Professional Bull?Riders-like circuit” for horseshoers would come into existence.  On June 19, 2006, the day came as World Championship Blacksmiths, LLC announced its launch through a membership drive that aims to   provide a premier venue for blacksmith competitions worldwide.  

The newly formed organization aims to fill a void its founders say exists for the competitive blacksmith. Blacksmith competitions have been held throughout the country and around the globe, but they say no system has ever existed to offer a true National Championship competition.

Qualifying Series Planned

World Championship Blacksmiths plans to produce the first ever series of qualifying competitions leading up to a National Championship. Ten stations complete with all equipment will be provided for the competitors at each competition allowing the flexibility and convenience for horseshoers to travel to any of the qualifying competitions to compete.  

CEO Craig Trnka of Edgewood, N.M., says the goal of the group is more than just fostering competition.

“We launched this business to give the competitors the competition format they’ve been asking for.  But it’s so much more than the format of the competitions that motivated us,” says the certified journeyman farrier and past president of the American Farrier’s Association. “We believe in the power of competition and in the individual who is or has tried to increase their skills through competition. 

“We see everyone who is striving for excellence as equal. Really, a beginning blacksmith who is trying to increase his or…