Mark your calendars for March 5 to 9 for the 31st annual American Farrier’s Association convention to be held in Lexington, Ky.

The activities kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday with the AFA Forging Competition, the Live Shoeing Competition and the opening of the marketplace on Wednesday. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there will be educational lectures, certification written examinations, a farrier’s rig contest with a lot of great prizes and the second annual BBQ sauce contest to benefit the North American Riding for the Handicapped organization.

Also on Thursday and Friday will be the final days of the newly enlarged 2002 marketplace featuring farrier suppliers from around the world with the latest in farrier equipment and supplies. Friday evening is the AFA auction featuring many handcrafted items to be purchased. The general membership meeting of the association will be held on Saturday afternoon followed by the AFA banquet, where the 2002 American Farrier’s Teams will be announced.

The host hotels for the 2002 convention will be the Hyatt Regency Lexington and the Radisson Plaza Hotel Lexington. The educational sessions, marketplace and auction will be held in the Lexington Center exhibit halls.

Presently, plans are underway to make available additional tours that would include horse farms, historical tours of the area and shopping trips in and around Lexington. Make plans to come see old friends, enjoy the scenery, eat great food…