Don Gustafson, Palo Alto, Calif.

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The second president of the Texas Professional Farrier’s Association and the first certified journeyman farrier in Texas, Don Gustafson graduated as “Top Hand” at Montana University Horseshoeing School in 1980. He was asked to teach for a quarter while his instructor Scott Simpson was away teaching his class in Australia. Now, he’s been shoeing for almost 40 years and has shod nearly every horse there is with the exception of mules. His horses have gone on to win state, regional and national championships.

The horses Gustafson has shod aren’t the only ones winning awards. He’s won several awards given by the Achievements Committee, including the Edward Martin Humanitarian Award, the Walt Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award, the Jim Linzy Award, the Allen Smith Administration Award, Clinician of the Year and many others.

“Don has been and is a great icon in our profession,” says Yucaipa, Calif., farrier Lee Green. “He has been a role model in the art of shoeing and in his natural way of being a gentleman.”

Gustafson made an impact in the farrier community through his service on various committees as well as through mentoring young farriers. He has served as chairman on the AFA Nominations Committee for 22 years in addition to serving as a board member of the AFA, on the AFA Achievement Awards Committee and as chairman of the AFA Convention. He was inducted into the World Champion Blacksmiths Competition (WCBC) Hall Of Fame in 2014.

“We all stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us,” Gustafson says in his acceptance speech. “In this case, we stand on the shoulders on giants because of their willingness to share what they know.”

In addition to competing, Gustafson has judged numerous competitions and acted as announcer, including events such as WCBC, AFA Conventions, the Northern California Classic and others. He ends the events he helps out with by leading everyone in the song Auld Lang Syne. His contributions also include training about 12 farriers, spending 2-3 years with each apprentice. He is also a member of the Anvil 21 Club.

Read his contributions to AFJ here:
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