Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association
April 2003 Newsletter

This is a VERY abridged version!)

The Presidents Letter:

On Friday, March 7, the PPFA held a precertification clinic for the participants of the next day's AFA certification. There was an excellent turn out for the event. The day started out with Rueben King, CJF demonstrating the Journeyman practical test so everyone taking the Journeyman test could get a close up of how every part of the practical would be scared and to get answers to any questions they may have had. Alvin Beiler, CJF demonstrated the Certified practical and answered questions throughout his demonstration as well. The next part of the day was the Shoe Display for the Certified participants, which Mike Wharton, CJF covered very nicely. Mike made up a shoe board with a variety of keg shoes and handmades all fitting the same front pattern or hind pattern and all modifications the display calls for. This was great for those who wanted to turn in all keg shoes, all handmades or a combination of both.

The next part of our clinic was the written test (and lunch at Hosses) for both levels. William Kiner, CJF and myself used Doug Butler's "Principles of Horseshoeing" to cover the written area with practice questions and book work. This part of the day lasted about 2 1/2 hours. After lunch the guys who wished to get more time with the shoes displays went back to the certification site for assistance from Mike Wharton. This clinic would not have happened without the excellent work of our members in setting it up. Thanks to Alvin Beiler, Elmer Glick, William Kiner, Rueben King and Mike Wharton.

The actual certification the next day was a 12 hour ordeal. There were 6 Journeyman and 7 Certified taking the practical and a total of 16 participants. Andrew Elsbree was our examiner. Bob Davis also came up as well to lend a hand. Our testers included, Doug Neilson, Bob Skradzio, Mike Wharton, and Gary Faulkner. Each of our testers also had a scribe which helped to keep each Certified tester open to test a participant.

There's not a lot to mention about the test itself, we have all been there, the jitters, butterflies, etc. but the best part of the event (besides passing all parts of the test) is making new friends and seeing some old ones. Hope to see you at our next one.

Phil Bower
PPFA President
April, 2003

PPFA will continue to subscribe to "Loose Shoe Magazine". If your membership dues were not paid by the March 8th deadline you may miss some issues. As soon as dues are paid, name will be added back to subscribers list.

The first batch PPFA jackets have been received. They turned out very nice, and not as expensive as we thought. (Most expensive one was $85 due to extra lettering.) If you are still interested in a jacket or would like to purchase any PPFA shirts, contact Phil for more information.

Our family picnic will be held on Saturday, June 14 at the Paradise Sportsmans Club. The club is located on Belmont Road in Paradise, PA. Thanks to Bob Gerhard for getting this set up for us. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish, place settings and drinks for their family. We will have games for the adults and kids. Come on out for a day of fun.

At the February 22, meeting, plans were discussed for the PPFA to start an injured farrier fund for members wishing to participate. A flyer is attached giving further information. The fund will be discussed in more detail at the June 14 meeting as this date kicks off the enrollment period for the fund. If you have any questions, contact Mindy Bower at (717) 677-0024.

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