Finishing farrier school means a significant jump — from student to full-time professional and, most often, small business owner.

Farriers with a few years of experience achieving the success they worked hard for know the challenges this brings and their accompanying struggles well — and how to deal with them.

American Farriers Journal established the Rising Shoeing Star award program in 2008. This program recognizes farriers making incredible progress in their first 3 years after farrier school — no easy task. In partnership with industry suppliers, the program highlights the importance of education and motivates new farriers to succeed.

The 2017 program sponsors include Boss Tools, formerly Electric Hoof Knife, Hawthorne Products, Nature Farms Farrier Supply, R.J. Matthews Co., Texas Farrier Supply, Vettec and American Farriers Journal.

This year’s winners include Brody White of Seguin, Texas; Jayce Fulbright of Hobson…