Chelsea Franck

Courtesy of Michael Anderson

I’d like to nominate my farrier (and now wife), Chelsea Franck. There are so many reasons I think she deserves recognition, but the number one reason is her perseverance. She became a farrier out of necessity, pursued further education to become better for her horse and turned that into her full time job.

Being a farrier is a widely male dominated profession. It’s hard work and long days. Between battling elements, difficult horses, and fixing problems, a farrier’s day is rarely just a trim or a shoe. Time and again, she overcomes difficulty and shows up for her clients and their horses. She rarely calls out, takes very few vacations, and shows up when the road is hardly visible.

Her kindness and passion for hoof care is obvious in her work. Her skills are ever growing and she always rises to a challenge. I’ve been able to witness recovery from horses that I would have expected the worst for. I admire what she does daily and I'm proud of the path she’s paved!

— Michael Anderson, Parkville, Md.