In 2009, the Rising Shoeing Star program awarded its first three novice farriers for their post-graduation endeavors. Since then, it has become an annual tradition at the Summit to honor farriers who have made progress in establishing their careers 3 years after graduating from horseshoeing school.

This year’s Rising Shoeing Star winners are Gwen Nardi, Maximo Gomez and Armando Herrera. The winners received a plaque showcasing their award, a 1-year subscription to American Farriers Journal, shoeing aprons and a back support from China Horseshoes and the AFJ “Kitchen Sink” package — a 3,406-page footcare reference package that includes eight “Farrier Classics” books, seven additional shoeing books, 28 Special Hoof-Care Reports, an AFJ cap and Summit shirt.

All three winners received free registration to the 9th annual International Hoof-Care Summit. Nardi, the grand-prize winner, also received $1,000 while Gomez and Herrera each received $500, which they can use to further their hoof-care education.

The Rising Shoeing Star program is co-sponsored by Apex Tool Group/Diamond, Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, G.E. Forge & Tool, Life Data Labs, Purcell Farrier Supply, Vettec and American Farriers Journal.

Gwen Nardi, The Plains, Va.

The 2011 Rising Shoeing Star grand-prize winner, Gwen Nardi, is a 2008 graduate from the Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Richmond, Ky.

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