In 2008, the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center and American Farriers Journal established the Summit Achievement Award to acknowledge the dedication and volunteer efforts of hoof-care professionals. This annual award recognizes an outstanding footcare professional who volunteers his or her hoof-care knowledge, services and time to the equine community.

The first recipient of this award is Bob Smith. He was presented with the award on Feb. 4, 2009, at the International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Smith is the owner and operator of the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. For nearly 35 years, Bob has worked closely in providing needed hoof-care at no expense to a number of equine groups.

As an example, the Grace Foundation fosters a large number of abused and neglected horses taken in by Northern California animal control agencies. This group rehabilitates horses for adoption, for use in equine-assisted therapy programs with at-risk youths and children with disabilities and also for use in educational programs at local schools.

Although the Grace Foundation has provided care for these horses for many years, finding a farrier that could provide a wide variety of hoof care for more than 100 horses that often suffer from severe hoof conditions had proven difficult.

That is until Smith stepped forward and dedicated himself, his staff and students to the foundation for a full day each week at no charge.

Through Smith’s volunteer…