By American Farriers Journal Staff

A pair of farriers will be on their way to the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit after the American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF) awarded them Roy Bloom Scholarships.

Ashley Gasky of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Deanna Stoppler of Fairfax, Vt., were recognized as the inaugural scholarship winners in mid December after fulfilling several application requirements:

• Working full-time as a farrier for a maximum of 5 years.

• A current member of the AAPF.

• A registered participant of the AAPF mentoring program — either as a mentor or mentee.

• The applicant must be willing and able to attend the AAPF Annual General Membership meeting at the International Hoof-Care Summit.

• Submit an application that included a brief résumé.

• The applicant’s mentor also submitted a letter of recommendation for the applicant.

Before entering into the farrier profession in 2012, Gasky attended SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The owner/operator of Precision Hoofcare graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, planning and law. During the past year, she has been working with her AAPF mentor Tim Cable of Blasdell, N.Y. and Wellington, Fla.

Stoppleris the owner/operator of Horse & Sole Hoof Care. She is a graduate of Mission Farrier School and the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in environmental studies. She has been spending time with her AAPF mentor Bob Pethick of Califon, N.J.

Both recipients will receive:

• Registration to the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Transportation to the Summit (either by auto reimbursement or air travel).

• Lodging at the Summit (for 3 nights).

In addition, the program will select a grand prize winner from these two farriers, who will also receive a 2- to 3-day opportunity to work with the AAPF mentor of her choice. The program will pay for the transportation and lodging expenses of the grand prize winner to work with their selected mentor.

The program is named for International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame member and founding AAPF board member Roy Bloom of Drummond, Wis. The goal of the scholarship program is to encourage learning farriers to pursue their continuing education by attending the International Hoof-Care Summit, as well as participating in the AAPF mentoring program.