Jim Keith (Tucuncari, N.M.)
It is not difficult to nominate a man like Jim Keith. We've known each other for almost two decades and he's played a huge influence in my professional career and in the farrier industry worldwide. I'm proud to say that if I can keep the horses of my book sound, I owe this to him. I first met him at the Oklahoma contest in 1999. He was the judge and I was a Brazilian trying to figure out what a farrier from New Mexico was saying. At lunchtime, I was by myself and he came and tried to communicate with me. This action made me nervous. In my mind I was thinking, "Why has an important person like him left his colleagues and sat by my side eating a sandwich?" Years later, I understood. He is a giver not a taker. Jim is the kind of person that always tries to help. I can say so many good things about him, but I prefer to go straight to the point. He deserves this because he is Jim Keith.
— Helbert Barion
