The transition from horseshoeing school student to a full-time farrier can be rough, even for those who graduate at the top of their class. New graduates and those just starting their farrier business understand the challenges you’ll face, regardless of education and skill.

In 2008, American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program. This program honors farriers for making outstanding career progress in their first 3 years out of farrier school.

Sponsors of the 2016 program include Electric Hoof Knife, Hawthorne Products, Life Data Labs, Purcell Farrier Supply, R.J. Matthews Co., Vettec and American Farriers Journal.

This year’s program honored three up-and-coming farriers who graduated from horseshoeing school in 2012 and have spent the past 3 years establishing their equine footcare careers. The farriers honored include Joanna Bailey of Redmond, Ore.; Eddie Cleckler of Springville, Ala.; and Victor Frisco of Crestwood, Ky.

Bailey took home the top honor at the 2016 International Hoof-Care Summit. A graduate of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif., Bailey shares some…