W.H.O.A. (Women Horseshoers Of America)

We'd like to take a moment of your time to introduce you to W.H.O.A. We are the first and only all women competitive farrier team in the world. Team members include Alice Johnson from Gilroy, California; Kathleen Verley from Novice, Texas; Laurie Fiesler from Olmsted Falls, Ohio; and Kelly Vermeer from Oakdale, California. W.H.O.A.'s members have forty-five years combined experience in the farrier industry and have been together as a team since 1994.

Very active in many aspects of the farrier industry, these women are highly visible and recognizable. They frequently attend and participate in clinics, symposiums, contests, AFA certifications, and all forms of extended education. It is often hard to pick up one of the trade magazines without seeing a picture or comments from one of the women. All maintain full time businesses, and remain devoted to achieving the highest standards.

Our team goals are:

• To increase individual and team skills.
• Become a competitive force.
• Educate and inspire.
• Increase general awareness of the abilities and available technologies of the working farrier.
• Enhance public opinion of what the farrier industry is about.
• Meet the ever changing challenges of the working farrier.

Below is our itinerary from 1995. As you will see, we have been very busy over the last twelve months. The highlight of the year was our third place finish at the Calgary Stampede, in the Team Draft Horse Shoeing.

Opportunities that have not existed in previous times are now coming our way. We have competed in Australia at the Sydney Royal Draught Horse Cup in April, 1996. Only 10 teams are permitted and it is by invitation only. This was a first for the history books. The trip, however, is was expensive and we need a great deal of help in the funding department.

This is in addition to our annual appearances at the AFA Convention and the Calgary Stampede. We will also be continuing our clinics, practices and state competitions through out the year. We are very dedicated to improving the skill level of our team.

To accomplish these goals and maintain this schedule, sponsorship is being solicited. W.H.O.A. is a registered non-profit organization. We have a tax ID number available upon request. Contributions may be sent to: W.H.O.A., Attn: Alice Johnson, P.O. Box 2686, Gilroy, California 95021 USA. Phone: (408) 778-7576.

We hope you will consider supporting our team.

W.H.O.A. Team Member Biographies

Laurie Fiesler

• Began shoeing in 1978. Graduated from the Ohio School of Horseshoeing, Ron Staron, instructor.
• Became an AFA Certified Farrier in 1982.
• Member of the American Farriers Association (AFA) and the Mid-Eastern Farriers Association (MEFA). Held positions in MEFA as secretary for 6 years, board of directors, contest committee; co-chairman for 2 years, chairman for 4 years. Is currently Co-chairman of the Rules Committee for the AFA.

• By 1991 had been competing in contests for 10 years all across the U.S. Was the first woman on an International team to compete in Paris, France (a 100 years history). She has won many Honors, averaging 7 contests per year. Proficient in all aspects of competing and an experienced judge.
• Participated in "Hands-on" clinics with Bob Marshall, Grant Moon, Bob Pethick, Jim Poor, Edward Martin, Burney Chapman, Charlie Orlando, Randy Luikart and more.
• Writes articles for the American Farriers Journal.

Alice Johnson

• Began shoeing in 1983. Graduated from Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo, California. Apprenticed with Steve Collins.
• Became an AFA Journeyman Certified Farrier in 1985. Served as AFA Tester and became an updated Approved Tester in 1993.
• Member of the AFA and WSFA. Served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Professional Farriers and Blacksmiths Association (PFBA) for four years, and secretary of WSFA for 4 years. Northern California Classic Co-chair since 1990, is currently the Event Coordinator for WSFA, on the AFA Equine Research Committee, and the Review Board for on campus farriers at Cal Poly San Louis Obisbo.
• Has been competing for 10 years across the U.S. and Canada, and in 1991 was the first and only woman to make the top 10 at the World Championship Blacksmith Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. An active competitor in the open division since 1987, she was given the opportunity to work and practice with many top competitors. Has traveled extensively across North American and Great Britian to work with a multitude of talented farriers in a wide variety of environments. She is proficient in many aspects of competing, and an experienced judge and clinician.
• Participated and organized "hands-on" clinics with Bob Marshall, Grant Moon, Dave Duckett, Edward Martin, Jim Poor, Jim Ferry, Shayne Carter, Jay Sharp, Dennis Mannign, Jim Keith and more.
• Has written articles published in the Anvil Magazine and Hoofcare and Lameness formerly FYI.

Kathleen Verley

• Began shoeing in 1986. Apprenticed with John Gordon, Karen Parker and Mark Paine.
• Became an AFA Journeyman Certified in 1992.
• Member of AFA, WSFA and the Nevada Professional Farriers Association (NPFA). Served as Treasurer of WSFA for 2 years and helped organize events and competitions. Is in a Farrier business partnership with Jim Poor of Novice, Texas, USA.
• In 5 years of competition she has won many awards including: High Point Div. 1 - NCC, High Point Div. 2 - NCC, High Point Div. 2 - TPFA, High Point Div. 3 - TPFA.
• Participated in "hands-on" clinics with Bob Marshall, Grant Moon, Jim Poor, Dave Duckett, Edward Martin, Shayne Carter, Jay Sharp, Dennis Manning, Jim Keith, Jim Ferry and others.

Kelly Vermeer

• Began shoeing in 1988. Apprenticed with Emil Carré.
• Member of AFA and WSFA. Certified Farrier in 1995.
• Competing for only 2 years. She has won High Point in Div. 1 - Durango, Div. 2 - Texas, Reno, Div. 2 - Utah, Div. 2 - Ohio. Has recently moved up into the Open Division. Traveled to the Isle of Man to work with Grant Moon for a week in 1995.
• Has participated in "hands-on" clinics with Grant Moon, Jim Ferry, Edward Martin and Jim Poor.

Return to the Farrier Competition Teams main page.

Return to the Farriers Associations main page.