Six future farriers will get some help in pursuing their horseshoeing education courtesy of an essay contest sponsored by Mustad Hoofcare Center.

Funds for the Mustad Scholarship program were raised during a Farrier Appreciation Night hosted by Mustad during the American Farrier’s Association convention in Lexington, Ky., in late February.

Over 400 people attended the event. A raffle raised $1,725 through the sale of $5 tickets. Mustad officials had announced that the company would match whatever was raised, dollar for dollar.

During the event, GE Forge & Tool donated an additional $1,000 toward the Mustad Scholarship program, raising the total amount available to students to $4,450.

Six scholarships of $750 each will be awarded to the winners of an essay contest. The essay contest is open to all farrier students currently enrolled or who intend to enroll in farrier school by the end of 2008.

All entrants must write an essay of at least 500 words on the topic, “Benefits of Keeping Horses Shod.” A panel of independent judges will choose six winners, two each from categories of: Overall Best Presentation; Best for Horse Owners; and Best for the Betterment of the Horse.

Essays must be submitted by June 10, 2008 and should be sent to: Marguerite Paige, Mustad Hoofcare Center, P.O. Box 35, Southwick, MA 01677.

AFA Auction Results

The 2008 AFA Auction raised $13,208 for various AFA funds — including $3,000 bid for an item that was being sold at the auction for the second time.

The item…