It might be hard to believe now, but there was a time when Virginia farrier Mike Miller was too intimidated to compete in shoe-making contests. Miller, who was awarded the American Farriers Journal “Most Improved Award” at the conclusion of the World Championship Blacksmiths (WCB) 14th season in December, always admired the skills of the competitors around him, but for many years believed such a high level of skill was out of reach for him.