Red Renchin was a farrier for half a century, yet he believed his education was far from complete. The Mequon, Wis., shoer was downright giddy about opportunities to learn from others, whether it was at a hoof-care conference, clinic or riding along with another farrier.

One could always tell when the late American Farriers Journal (AFJ) technical editor was particularly impressed by a lecture or demonstration. Simply put, he looked like he was going to pop.

“Did you hear that?” Red would ask with his familiar smile and enthusiasm. “That was something, wasn’t it?”

To honor Red’s passion for learning and innovation, AFJ is launching the Red Renchin Visionary Leadership in Innovation Award to reflect the spirit of progress, creativity and bold thinking that defined his legacy.

Farriers, veterinarians, hoof-care clients and equine enthusiasts flooded our inboxes with nominations. An independent, three-member panel that knew Red well has named Hall of Fame farrier Patrick Reilly the inaugural recipient of the Red Renchin Visionary Leadership in Innovation Award.

“I am honored to be associated with an award named after Red,” says Reilly, the associate professor of equine podiatry at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. “The qualities it represents — leadership, vision and innovation — are everything I have aspired to in the farrier industry. I am deeply grateful to be part of such a remarkable profession. The dedication of farriers across the country, working tirelessly to keep horses comfortable, is truly inspiring — and I believe Red would…