The American, Canadian and International Associations of Professional Farriers (AAPF, CAPF, IAPF) are expanding Down Under.

The AAPF/CAPF/IAPF announced the creation of the International Association of Professional Farriers Inc. in Australia during the second annual Australian Farriers Conference in Queensland. The initial officers of the new association will include Wesley Stewart, APF, of Colo Vale, New South Wales, who will serve as president, and Erin Stevens, APF-I of Windsor, New South Wales, who will be vice president.

“The AAPF/CAPF/IAPF Board of Directors are very excited about this new initiative, which will offer farriers in Australia the opportunities to enjoy many of the same benefits as farriers in the United States and Canada,” says Adam Wynbrandt, APF-I, president of the AAPF/CAPF/IAPF. “We believe that by using our Accreditation Program will document the farrier’s commitment to continuing education to Australian horse owners, trainers and other farriers.”

The AAPF/IAPF Accreditation Program issues Accredited Farrier (AF) and Accredited Professional Farrier (APF) credentials to members who earn a minimum of 24 AAPF/IAPF Continuing Education credits in a 12-month period. In addition, the AAPF/IAPF launched its Credentialing Program in 2016. The program is a two-step profess for accredited AAPF/IAPF members to earn the farrier foundational credential and discipline/specialty/breed credential.

Like its counterpart in North America, the new IAPF Australia is a not-for-profit association. Its members will be able to make membership dues payments, as well as payments for AAPF/IAPF credentialing using Australian dollars. This will eliminate the need to engage in currency exchange rates, according to the AAPF/IAPF.

To learn more about IAPF Australia, contact Bryan Quinsey, AAPF/CAPF/IAPF executive director, at (859) 533-1465 or info@professionalfarriers.com.