Nine individuals were honored for outstanding careers in hoof care during the Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies at the 14th annual International Hoof-Care Summit.

Farriers Ivon Bell, Henrik Berger, Dan Bradley, Gunner Gatski, Larry Rumsby and Craig Trnka joined the International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame, while Bryan Fraley, Debra Taylor and Renate Weller were added to the International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame.

Hall Of Fame Farriers

Ivon Bell, London, England (deceased)

Bell was a soldier in the British Army, serving for several years before joining the farrier corps. Once he became a farrier, he rose to the rank of farriery sergeant major, and ended up running the Army School of Farriery for the British Army at the Defense Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray, Leistershire.

Bell competed at many contests, and was instrumental in bringing the skills of the British Army farrier up to an internationally competitive level. As the main teacher of the craft for the army, his influence in the lives and future of the industry was instrumental.

Bell had a wife and daughter, and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died in 2006 and has been greatly missed.

In an induction video, British farrier Mark Watson discussed Bell’s impact on farriery.

“He was highly motivated throughout his career,” says Watson, who learned under Bell. “He always was the first in the shop in the morning. He would already be working away while we were just getting in.”

Many farriers, inspired by Bell, fed off that motivation. Because…