By Ashley Gasky, APF

The American and International Associations of Professional Farriers (AAPF/IAPF) is accepting applications for its annual Roy Bloom Scholarship Program.

The goal is to encourage farriers to pursue their continuing education by attending the International Hoof-Care Summit, as well as participating in the AAPF/IAPF mentoring program.

The program annually recognizes three eligible farriers by providing each of them with a package to include:

• Registration to the Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Transportation to the Summit (either by auto reimbursement or air travel).

• Lodging at the Summit (for 3 nights).

In addition, the program will select a grand prize winner from these three farriers who also will receive an opportunity to work with the AAPF/IAPF mentor of their choice. The program will pay for the transportation and lodging expenses of the grand prize winner to work with their mentor.

The AAPF/IAPF has added a new wrinkle for this year’s recipients — it will select one recipient each from the following three categories:

• Farriers with less than 3 years of experience.

• Farriers with 3 to 6 years of experience.

• Farriers with 6 or more years of experience.

In addition to completing an application form, each applicant is required to submit one of the following options:

• A detailed case study presented in a PowerPoint format. The case study will include photos of before and after shoeing; at least three shoeing cycles; inclusion of thoughts and recommendations of mentor and, if appropriate, the veterinarian.

• Same as above, but presented in essay format rather than as a PowerPoint. Photos and recommendations are required.

• An article written by the applicant, which will be shared by the AAPF/IAPF with the association’s alliance members (breed and discipline associations). The articles will be submitted to the AAPF/IAPF Public Relations & Communications Committee for review and editing. Articles should be a minimum of 1,000 words. The PR Committee is committed to working with the applicants to present their articles in an acceptable format.

Applications are due Nov. 1, 2016.

For more information, contact Ashley Gaskey at 518-224-8704 or Gash2311@gmail.com.