East Lansing, Mich., was the site of the Michigan Horseshoers Association’s 42nd annual contest & clinic held in early January. Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center sponsored the clinician and judge, Todd Walker.

Thursday’s forging competitions attracted those interested in improving their forging skills. The morning began with Walker discussing the importance of forging and the value of competition.

While Richard Becker ran the coke fire for the morning demonstration, Walker forged several shoes that would be built during the competition. He discussed things that farriers should look for when forging, ways to improve techniques and what he would be looking for as a judge.

The live shoeing demonstration and contest is open to every competitor and counts as a double-point class. Allen Rynda of New Prague, Minn., took the top spot in the novice division. Gage Morgan of Richmond, Ky., earned the most points to win the intermediate division. Mike Augenstein of Stockport, Ohio, won the open division.

Friday morning brought the two-man draft competitors. They heated up the arena by building scotch-heeled draft shoes. Justin Fry of Boston Heights, Ohio, along with partner Keith Green of Wakeman, Ohio, took first place.

Walker talked to the audience about the horse, its hoof and demonstrated proper shoeing techniques. The demo was recorded and projected on a big screen for everyone to see.

The eagle eye run-off took an interesting twist this year, as partners were duct taped together to build an aluminum shoe for a cadaver limb. They could run and…