Has anyone heard that Rick Burten is coming to Vermont for a clinic ??

[vthorseshoe]

March 24th and 25th See this listed on the boards calendar.

For further details please contact Diane Saunders at dlsqtrhs@sover.net

Phil are you coming from Maine ??

Anyone coming up from Mass or NH ??

You have talked with him, debated with him, argued with him, and cajolled with him. He is your chance to meet the legendary part-time fill-in moderator of the "Farrier and Hoofcare Resources bulletin board.

A farrier who willingly and readily is giving back to the trade that has been so good to him.

Call other farriers in your area. Let them know and plan to be in Vermont on March 24th and 25th.

Shake the hand of a man who isn't afraid to shake things up.

Walk, drive, ride a horse, bicycle or motorcycle. If we get snow use your snow machine BUT !! don't pass up the chance to meet and see Mr. Rick Burten in person.

Vermont Farriers Association is Proud to be bringing Rick Burten to Vermont !

[Cyber Farrier]

You have talked with him, debated with him, argued with him, and cajolled with him. He is your chance to meet the legendary moderator of the "Farrier and Hoofcare Resources" bulletin board.
I need to clarify this: Rick is NOT "the" Moderator of the forums. He fulfills that job ONLY when I specifically request he do so, for specific short periods of time, when I'm not available to perform that duty. And he does a great job.

Baron

[Phil Armitage]

That is great, I will be there.

[Dave Whitaker]

Bruce,
What is the topic/format? Thanks, dave

[Dances with Hooves]

Dave and Phil want to car pool up?

[vthorseshoe]

For any and all info or questions contact Diane Saunders at the above e-mail in my initial post. :)

Thankyou for your interest. Just the chance to speak first hand with Rick is in my mind worth the trip.
Everything else is a plus.

VtFA is flying Mr. Burten to Vermont.
I offered to pick him up with a wagon and team of drafts but Rick was afraid I would make him shoe them along the way. :rolleyes:

I am sure if you have a specific topic of interest Mr. Burten would take a moment and address it.

I have already put my check in the mail. I'm not missing this clinic. :D

[SlowShoe]

I'd definitely like to come.

[Dave Whitaker]

Dave and Phil want to car pool up?
__________________
George Spear
Farrier

Good idea George......be glad to

[Phil Armitage]

Dave and Phil want to car pool up?
__________________
George Spear
Farrier

Good idea George......be glad to

Yep, count me in.

[vthorseshoe]

Dave, Phil, George, Josh ? March is just around the bend and it is getting close for Mr. Rick Burten to be in Vermont.
Have any of you folks talked with fellow farriers to see about coming ?

This is also listed on the calensday of events on this website.

I have offered my home to the farriers from Maine to spend the night and continue to Bristol, Vermont for the clinic in the morning.

We have some horses lined up for Mr. Burten to evaluate and make suggestions and his point of view on.

Contacting Diane Saunders at; dlsqtrhs@sover.net
or calling her at;1-802-453-3750
will aide in getting a number of folks to plan to feed and space and who is auditing or participating.

Would anyone be interested in a clinic held at "Sheburne Farms in Vermont" ?
It would give you an opportunity to see the museum and the actual Shelburne Farm itself along with participating in our clinic or forging contest. We might even be able to hold it in conjunction with the annual Blacksmithing day put on by Shelburne Museum.
Let me know if this sparks an interest. I remember this was also a suggestion of Fran jurga's a while back.

[NHFarrier]

I'm planning on going! So count on one from NH!

Amy

[vthorseshoe]

Amy, We look forward to meeting you. Please be sure to contact Diane Saunders at the address listed in this previous post and let her know you are coming. Call her or e-mail her and she will send you all the info.
This goes for all interested persons looking to come Meet and listen and learn from Rick Burten.
It will really help us to have an accurate count or paid in advance to give us the stats for being prepared in advance, food etc.

Rick's credentials are awe inspiring.
His knowlesdge is experience plus.
Rick is a person who has a desire to give back to the industry that has been so good to him.
Come watch, listen and learn. It will be worth the trip and your time.

[dlsqtrhs]

If anyone would like the brochure for Rick Burten's clinic, you can contact me directly at 802-453-3750 or my direct email dlsqtrhs@sover.net. Thanks! Diane Saunders

[Ken Norman]

Anyone coming up from the south can stay here. I am about an hour south of Bristol. You can contact me at twfequin@together.net .............. Ken

[sweetbranchforge]

Please read this before posting to this Forum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The purpose of this Forum is to discuss the clinics, NOT announce them. That means discussing a clinic after it has occurred. Of course it's reasonable to be able to ask about an upcoming clinic (as in "I hear that So-And-So will be giving a clinic soon. Is s/he a good clinician? Will it be worth attending?")

Any posts that are simply announcing an upcoming clinic/event will be removed. If you want to announce a clinic or event, that's what the Calendar section is for.

Thank you,
Baron
__________________


Inventor, Entrepreneur, Captain of Industry
"Good for nothing, even better if I'm paid."

Quando omni flunkus, moritati.


Okay, listen.
I've been accused of a lot of things on here... bein' phoney... coward... stuff like that.
Cool. I don't have a problem with it.
But I do have a problem with some obvious things that IMHO reflect the character of ... appearance of character ... of our industry.
I happen to love being a horseshoer. You'd have to go a piece to find me another line of work that I 'd love or get along with as well. Maybe Matt Dillon's job.. heck yeah... date me the madam of a local brothel, shoot the bad guys and have a town that loved me. I get to ride every day and use a gun as I see fit. That'd probably be enough to get me to toss my anvil in a river.
Not that I want to be in law enforcement today, don't get me wrong. Most cops today base their "arrest attitude" on how well it's going to fit into the budget and increase federal grant money, not neccessarily the immediate or future potential harm to the community. But I digress.

Let's just say for a minute that this "Has anyone heard that Rick Burten is coming to Vermont for a clinic ??" fits the criteria as specified by the owner of this site. After all, "he bull", right?

Well, I'd disagree with his congruency... again.
First of all, I want to defend Baron for interjecting the fact Mr. Burten is only a moderator during specific time periods when approached. I can see the color of that law.
However, it is with deep regret that I must announce that as a person that has witnessed Mr. Burten's handiwork firsthand... spoken with the man... observed his dealings with others.... not neccessarily myself... this clinic would be worth missing. Save your money.

And I think that's sad. Because, as I said, I love this trade. It is an honorable profession that dates back to... when..? Surely soon after the first guy thought it was a good idea to try and ride one of these magnificant animals.
You ever imagined that?
"Hey Oogie, waddya say we try and get on the back of one o' those things...? ... they go real fast..."
His parder probably looked at him like he was nuts.
And I wouldn't have a clue who would come up with the idea of trying to pick up one of their feet after having most likely seen them in action... talk about trial and error...
More digression...

And I'll... with some solicited grace from "bull"... step over a boundary gently and tie this in with a few other threads regarding the AFA, regional directorships and our benefit... from a horse owner's perspective.
(Holy Cow! Richardson owns horses!?!)

If what I understand is true, then the nomination process has already begun and been opened to the membership. I think it a bit unfair to allow current (or immediate past candidates, however you prefer) the advantage of this before the general membership even has a clue as to the specific changes.
And, in my mind, anyone that has fair play in mind would object to this procedure. And, anyone that would accept such a nomination before the general membership is informed has a bit of a ethics problem IMHO.
The fact they OPENED nominations before that information is dispersed says a lot about how the organization, as well.
And since many of the membership rely on the official magazine for their information... or the newsletter.. .which I have yet to receive that has this information within... (more on the PF later)
I .. a lowly farrier... have some questions.
First of all, why would anyone want to have Mr. Burten as their clinician? What, save possibly his position as temporary moderator on NUMEROUS equine related site... here... mane something and the world wide farrier place...
I mean... have any of you even seen this man's work?

I have.

Take a look at any of the old farrier pictures. Take a look at yourselves in the mirror.

I don't know about you, but the pics I see are of lean, mean, fightin machine, tendon-poppin' men with a look in their eyes that says, "I know the truth".
The truth is in the horse.

Not in the organization. And it's time the AFA woke up and paid attention to the people that are paying the bills. The owners of the horses.
How smart do we look as farriers when we have a magazine ... please.. do this yourself so you see I'm not making this up...
But we have a magazine... type in the first sentance of Tom Stoval's article in any key word search and you'll find it's published everywhere... well.. not everywhere.. but at least in places that date back into the 90's.
There's innovation for you... yes sir....

Even more digression.....

And it's politics as usual at the AFA Convention.
Tell me how Billy Caruthers and Craig Trinka tied for High Point when one had 18 or 19 points and one had 16.
Tell me how Jim Quick gets put in the live shoeing after complaining that he finished 21st... "Oh we've made a mistake!!!" So they let Jason Hill in... 21 in the live shoeing... only to find out later that Mr. Quick finished 28th.

You want to fix the forging contest?
Let's try this:
Go ahead and let them do the forging as they are... keep the judges out while the forging is going on. No problem... anonymously numbered shoes is okay.
But the live shoeing...
I don't care HOW upright of a person you believe you are... how fair you want to be... how much you pray to God Almighty for clarity... the fact horses are lined up from lowest score in forging to highest.. with the lowest going first... biases your judgment.
There needs to be a way judges can judge feet anonymously as well. Keep the judge in a curtained off area or something and lead horses to him or them when they are ready.... but don't let them see WHO's horse it is.... EVER!

And while you're at it.... MARK all the things on the shoes for the forging that are wrong so the contestnts can see why they didn't get placed. I saw some AWFULLY nice shoes that didn't place... had no marks on the shoes... shoes that DID place had marks on them.... what's up with that?

Let's see... what else...

Nothing really... other than going back to the way I started this... I'm fairly saddened to see so many on here just about jump out of their pants to pay good money to go see a guy whose skills are average at best and who... oh.. I'm not gonna go all negative.. within the boundaries of the thread... I wouldn't walk across the road to see him do anything. Ten bucks says SOMEone that goes is gonna remember these words as they drive home and say something like..... friggin' richardson.... I hate it when he's right...

[sweetbranchforge]

Here is your chance to meet the legendary part-time fill-in moderator

Oh... never mind... I missed that part.... didn't know it was a moderator's clinic.... my bad.

[BS-Horseshoeing]

Don, why don't you just tell us how you really feel about Rick. I'm not sure doing this here in a public forum is that good of an idea. I don't know either one of you (Rick or Don) but this sure seems to be a bit slanderous. I think maybe you need to grab your cajones and go see Rick face to face and settle your differences. Talk it over and get over it. This is not the place for this. JMO

[SlowShoe]

Feel better now Don? :eek:

[vthorseshoe]

Don,
Just read your post and it kinda caught me off guard.
I respect your points of view as I am sure Rick and others do.
And I defend your right to have them to the end.

That said, Vermont Farriers Association invited Mr. Burten to Come to Vermont to speak and to give some demonstration and knowledge from his point of view on shoeing.
We are as proud of having Rick come as we are of anyone we invite to speak to our members.
No one has ever said, Rick included, that he was the almighty greatest.
Rick is an average Joe who has made a career out of shoeing horses.
That is what we invited. A person who has had a successful career shoeing horses and wants to pass on some of what he has learned along the way.

To say you wouldn't walk across the street to watch or see his work leads me to think of a horse with blinders on.

Learning is a combination of seeing what is good and what isn't.
If you think someone isn't very good then you can see what not to do. If you watch you might pick up ONE LITTLE THING that does make sense to you and add it to your collection of abilities.

I have gone to many clinics where I have walked away with just one little thing and felt it made the clinic totally worth my time.

Mr. Burten isn't coming to a moderators clinic but to SHARE his skills and knowledge with other farriers.
THE VtFA is PROUD to introduce Mr. Burten to the farriers of New England
and I extend an open invitation to you to join us.

We have had CPA's, Insurance people, a working blacksmith, an Austrailian Horseshoer, to name a few, put on an annual forging contest, and will continue to bring folks of interest to help with the EDUCATION of New England Farriers.

Come on up Don. We always have good food and conversation to keep most coming back. :D

[George Geist]

Don,
The points you made about the shoeing contest were quite interesting. On that we're in agreement.

I have never participated in one so nobody can accuse me of sour g r a p e s on that but I have long suspected that the results were often predetermined.

Let's start another thread about this it sounds like an interesting thing to talk about.
George

[Skip Messick CJF]

Thanks Don, I have a limited budget this year for clinics and need to pick the most bang for the buck. This was close to me but I'll just wait for the next one . I hope everyone that attends has a great time though, glad to see Vermont doing a great job. Met Bruce and Ken at Dave Ferguson's a while back and I hope everything is going well for them , see you in the futere I hope.
Skip Messick CF

[Rick Burten]

Okay, listen.
I've been accused of a lot of things on here... bein' phoney... coward... stuff like that.
Cool. I don't have a problem with it.
Your protestations not withstanding, demonstrably you did/do. But as I remember, that was because you refused to identify yourself and had you not been required to do so by the site owner, would still be posting under the guise of a nom d'plume.
But I do have a problem with some obvious things that IMHO reflect the character of ... appearance of character ... of our industry.
As do I.
However, it is with deep regret that I must announce that as a person that has witnessed Mr. Burten's handiwork firsthand... spoken with the man... observed his dealings with others.... not neccessaraly myself... this clinic would be worth missing. Save your money.
You're going to have to do a bit better than than just make accusations. I personally do not remember ever being introduced to you, meeting you, talking with you, etc. From what you have written, it appears that you were at this year's AFA convention. So was I. I was there from Monday last until noon on Sunday. I was at the lectures, the competition, BoD meeting, several committee meetings, the General Membership meeting, and the banquet. Not once in all that time or at any of those venues did I make your acquaintance. Why is that? When and under what cir***stances have you seen my work? I'm interested and perhaps others are too. After all, if you are going to impugn my work, you should be able to provide something of substance, right?
If what I understand is true, then the nomination process has already begun and been opened to the membership. I think it a bit unfair to allow current (or immediate past candidates, however you prefer) the advantage of this before the general membership even has a clue as to the specific changes.
The nomination process began, as it always has, at the General Membership meeting at Convention. Mr. Gustafson announced the results of the election and then opened the floor for nominations. It was those AFA members in attendance that nominated from the floor, and each nomination had to be seconded. In this case, only members from each newly created region were able to nominate candidates from their region. Now, that convention is over, the process will continue until nominations close.

It is important to note that for this first election of regional representatives, and this one only, only those who are former or current committee chairs or members of the BoD are eligible to be nominated and stand for election. For all elections after this one, any member in good standing (Regular or Lifetime)
can stand for election as a representative from his/her region.
And, in my mind, anyone that has fair play in mind would object to this procedure.
Why? Those present at the meeting followed procedure/protocal that is long established and practiced by the AFA. It is how we have always begun the nomination process.
And, anyone that would accept such a nomination before the general membership is informed has a bit of a ethics problem IMHO.
Well, I guess I stand in good company then since there were numerous people from around the country, representing the new regions, nominated at the meeting. I have little problem and feel no disgrace in standing with people like Deb Ash, Danvers Child, Steve Davis, and others. If you want to accuse these folks of ethics problems, be my guest.
The fact they OPENED nominations before that information is dispersed says a lot about how the organization, as well.
Since the process is well doc*mented and long established, I fail to see where or why you have a "beef". And, since the process is published on the AFA website, and the "nuts and bolts" of how the process would apply directly to the regional director election process is also found there, it seems to me that the membership has had ample opportunity to familiarize itself with what is and did occur.
And since many of the membership rely on the official magazine for their information... or the newsletter.. .which I have yet to receive that has this information within... (more on the PF later)

If you have as yet not received your PF magazine or the newsletter, you should contact the office. Every member of the AFA that I have talked with has received both of these. Specifically, if you have not received a newsletter, call John Blombach.
First of all, why would anyone want to have Mr. Burten as their clinician? What, save possibly his position as temporary moderator on NUMEROUS equine related site... here... mane something and the world wide farrier place...
You labor under a misconception. The only place I am in the position of moderator, temporary or otherwise, is here on these forums, and then only at Baron's request. Everywhere else, I am, like so many others, a contributor only.
I mean... have any of you even seen this man's work?

I have.
You keep saying this, but you assertions are not facts, nor are they in evidence.
And it's time the AFA woke up and paid attention to the people that are paying the bills. The owners of the horses.
How smart do we look as farriers when we have a magazine ... please.. do this yourself so you see I'm not making this up...
But we have a magazine... type in the first sentance of Tom Stoval's article in any key word search and you'll find it's published everywhere... well.. not everywhere.. but at least in places that date back into the 90's.
There's innovation for you... yes sir....
If, as it appears, you have a problem with the PF magazine, why don't you call Danvers and offer to help out? Have you written any articles for submission, have you asked to serve on the Publications Committee? For that matter, what have you done, other than b-i-t-c-h, to help? Are you an Examiner or Tester? Have you volunteered to serve on any AFA committee? Do you contact the office to discuss your concers and offer your help? Have you contacted any of the officers or BoD reps to discuss your concerns and to offer your help? Have you ever been nominated to office or otherwise stood for election? Are you a member of any AFA chapter(s) and if so, are you an active participant and/or leader?
And it's politics as usual at the AFA Convention.
Tell me how Billy Caruthers and Craig Trinka tied for High Point when one had 18 or 19 points and one had 16.
Tell me how Jim Quick gets put in the live shoeing after complaining that he finished 21st... "Oh we've made a mistake!!!" So they let Jason Hill in... 21 in the live shoeing... only to find out later that Mr. Quick finished 28th.
Apparently you were at convention and had a keen interest in the contest. Though I too was present, I was not at the contest full time, and I was more interested in watching the contestants than anything else. If indeed your accusations/questions are accurate, then I think they bear some investigation for answers. So I'll tell you what. Lets each, of our own volition, call Myron Mclane, Chairman of the Rules Committee for the past 23 years, and get some answers. Then, we'll post our findings here on horseshoes.com. OK?

And, I will also forward, intact, your questions/concerns to the AFA President and I think you should take it one step further and contact the other members of the EC. After all, they are the leaders and I know each of them has a keen interest in the concerns of the membership, especially when it comes to allegations of impropriety.
You want to fix the forging contest?

Go ahead and let them do the forging as they are... keep the judges out while the forging is going on. No problem... anonymously numbered shoes is okay.
But the live shoeing...
I don't care HOW upright of a person you believe you are... how fair you want to be... how much you pray to God Almighty for clarity... the fact horses are lined up from lowest score in forging to highest.. with the lowest going first... biases your judgment.
There needs to be a way judges can judge feet anonymously as well. Keep the judge in a curtained off area or something and lead horses to him or them when they are ready.... but don't let them see WHO's horse it is.... EVER!
Interesting ideas. Have you ever proposed them to anyone who could do anything with/about them?
And while you're at it.... MARK all the things on the shoes for the forging that are wrong so the contestnts can see why they didn't get placed. I saw some AWFULLY nice shoes that didn't place... had no marks on the shoes... shoes that DID place had marks on them.... what's up with that?
Again, call Myron and ask. I know how deeply he cares for and about the contest and I cannot imagine that he won't be willing to listen and respond.
Let us know how it goes.
I'm fairly saddened to see so many on here just about jump out of their pants to pay good money to go see a guy whose skills are average at best and who... oh.. I'm not gonna go all negative.. within the boundaries of the thread... I wouldn't walk across the road to see him do anything. Ten bucks says SOMEone that goes is gonna remember these words as they drive home and say something like..... friggin' richardson.... I hate it when he's right... Like most all of us, I do the best I can each and every time I get under a horse.
Because this industry has been so good to me for so many years, I try to give something back any chance I get. That's why my clinician fees are so outrageous.

For those who are reading this and are going to be at the clinic in a couple of weeks, I look forward to seeing each of you, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones.

Rick

[Phil Armitage]

Rick, I am still comeing, tight budget and all. Looking foward to meeting you.

[Just passin through~]

Please read this before posting to this Forum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The purpose of this Forum is to discuss the clinics, NOT announce them. That means discussing a clinic after it has occurred. Of course it's reasonable to be able to ask about an upcoming clinic (as in "I hear that So-And-So will be giving a clinic soon. Is s/he a good clinician? Will it be worth attending?")

Any posts that are simply announcing an upcoming clinic/event will be removed. If you want to announce a clinic or event, that's what the Calendar section is for.

Thank you,
Baron
__________________


Inventor, Entrepreneur, Captain of Industry
"Good for nothing, even better if I'm paid."

Quando omni flunkus, moritati.


Okay, listen.
I've been accused of a lot of things on here... bein' phoney... coward... stuff like that.
Cool. I don't have a problem with it.
But I do have a problem with some obvious things that IMHO reflect the character of ... appearance of character ... of our industry.
I happen to love being a horseshoer. You'd have to go a piece to find me another line of work that I 'd love or get along with as well. Maybe Matt Dillon's job.. heck yeah... date me the madam of a local brothel, shoot the bad guys and have a town that loved me. I get to ride every day and use a gun as I see fit. That'd probably be enough to get me to toss my anvil in a river.
Not that I want to be in law enforcement today, don't get me wrong. Most cops today base their "arrest attitude" on how well it's going to fit into the budget and increase federal grant money, not neccessarily the immediate or future potential harm to the community. But I digress.

Let's just say for a minute that this "Has anyone heard that Rick Burten is coming to Vermont for a clinic ??" fits the criteria as specified by the owner of this site. After all, "he bull", right?

Well, I'd disagree with his congruency... again.
First of all, I want to defend Baron for interjecting the fact Mr. Burten is only a moderator during specific time periods when approached. I can see the color of that law.
However, it is with deep regret that I must announce that as a person that has witnessed Mr. Burten's handiwork firsthand... spoken with the man... observed his dealings with others.... not neccessarily myself... this clinic would be worth missing. Save your money.

And I think that's sad. Because, as I said, I love this trade. It is an honorable profession that dates back to... when..? Surely soon after the first guy thought it was a good idea to try and ride one of these magnificant animals.
You ever imagined that?
"Hey Oogie, waddya say we try and get on the back of one o' those things...? ... they go real fast..."
His parder probably looked at him like he was nuts.
And I wouldn't have a clue who would come up with the idea of trying to pick up one of their feet after having most likely seen them in action... talk about trial and error...
More digression...

And I'll... with some solicited grace from "bull"... step over a boundary gently and tie this in with a few other threads regarding the AFA, regional directorships and our benefit... from a horse owner's perspective.
(Holy Cow! Richardson owns horses!?!)

If what I understand is true, then the nomination process has already begun and been opened to the membership. I think it a bit unfair to allow current (or immediate past candidates, however you prefer) the advantage of this before the general membership even has a clue as to the specific changes.
And, in my mind, anyone that has fair play in mind would object to this procedure. And, anyone that would accept such a nomination before the general membership is informed has a bit of a ethics problem IMHO.
The fact they OPENED nominations before that information is dispersed says a lot about how the organization, as well.
And since many of the membership rely on the official magazine for their information... or the newsletter.. .which I have yet to receive that has this information within... (more on the PF later)
I .. a lowly farrier... have some questions.
First of all, why would anyone want to have Mr. Burten as their clinician? What, save possibly his position as temporary moderator on NUMEROUS equine related site... here... mane something and the world wide farrier place...
I mean... have any of you even seen this man's work?

I have.

Take a look at any of the old farrier pictures. Take a look at yourselves in the mirror.

I don't know about you, but the pics I see are of lean, mean, fightin machine, tendon-poppin' men with a look in their eyes that says, "I know the truth".
The truth is in the horse.

Not in the organization. And it's time the AFA woke up and paid attention to the people that are paying the bills. The owners of the horses.
How smart do we look as farriers when we have a magazine ... please.. do this yourself so you see I'm not making this up...
But we have a magazine... type in the first sentance of Tom Stoval's article in any key word search and you'll find it's published everywhere... well.. not everywhere.. but at least in places that date back into the 90's.
There's innovation for you... yes sir....

Even more digression.....

And it's politics as usual at the AFA Convention.
Tell me how Billy Caruthers and Craig Trinka tied for High Point when one had 18 or 19 points and one had 16.
Tell me how Jim Quick gets put in the live shoeing after complaining that he finished 21st... "Oh we've made a mistake!!!" So they let Jason Hill in... 21 in the live shoeing... only to find out later that Mr. Quick finished 28th.

You want to fix the forging contest?
Let's try this:
Go ahead and let them do the forging as they are... keep the judges out while the forging is going on. No problem... anonymously numbered shoes is okay.
But the live shoeing...
I don't care HOW upright of a person you believe you are... how fair you want to be... how much you pray to God Almighty for clarity... the fact horses are lined up from lowest score in forging to highest.. with the lowest going first... biases your judgment.
There needs to be a way judges can judge feet anonymously as well. Keep the judge in a curtained off area or something and lead horses to him or them when they are ready.... but don't let them see WHO's horse it is.... EVER!

And while you're at it.... MARK all the things on the shoes for the forging that are wrong so the contestnts can see why they didn't get placed. I saw some AWFULLY nice shoes that didn't place... had no marks on the shoes... shoes that DID place had marks on them.... what's up with that?

Let's see... what else...

Nothing really... other than going back to the way I started this... I'm fairly saddened to see so many on here just about jump out of their pants to pay good money to go see a guy whose skills are average at best and who... oh.. I'm not gonna go all negative.. within the boundaries of the thread... I wouldn't walk across the road to see him do anything. Ten bucks says SOMEone that goes is gonna remember these words as they drive home and say something like..... friggin' richardson.... I hate it when he's right...


Don,not really a bad post considering this matter,but the **** you wrote about Marshall Dillon and the law makes me think that your sense of humor
as a comedian has alot to be desired..................How long have you been a Farrier?

[Hoofangler]

Don,

First off I'd like to ask why you didn't post this in the general discussion threads seeing as it is basically a character assasination followed by an anti AFA rant, and then I'd I like to thank you for being the number one farrier in the entire world. Or, at least I assume you are as I've never gone to a clinic in my sixteen years of shoeing and not learned something to take home with me....even if it is NOT how to do something. You, on the other hand obviously know all or else why sabotage what is likely to be educational and will definitely be a good time?
I've recently attended a clinic that was given by an highly respected researcher and farrier and I'd say his foot work was mediocre at best but, his lecture presentation was great. Wouldn't shoe like this guy but, learned something valuable none the less.
We, at the Vt.F.A., are working very hard at bringing in clinicians and speakers that will benefit the farriers and horse owners in our area. We are a new organization, an AFA chapter, and in an area that appreciates the efforts of those who try to further the cause of the farriers craft. I wonder, Don, if you realize that the road we take to become certified, or compete, or just to be the best farrier we can be, is all about educating ourselves and each step we take makes us that much better.
I hope, for your sake, that you have active chapters that set up these educational opportunities for you and that you take advantage of them. If you don't, you'll find yourself as one of the negative personalities that we've had to put up with way too much as of late. If you'd like, you can come up here and we can start you off on the road to become certified, or a better hammer man, or even show you how to set up clinics to better our profession. Or, you could stay on the side lines and complain about stuff that you don't know about or can't do.
For everyone else, I hope to see you at our clinics and if you have any ideas or suggestions on topics YOU would like to see, let me know.

Regards,

Mike Givney CF

[vthorseshoe]

I am going to move this post to the general conversation area, as it doesn't belong on this site for clinics .

All interested please follow and continue to post there.
Lets not get Baron in a position where he needs to act.

Thankyou
Bruce

[Tom Stovall, CJF]

Don Richardson in gray, deletia

But we have a magazine... type in the first sentance of Tom Stoval's article in any key word search and you'll find it's published everywhere... well.. not everywhere.. but at least in places that date back into the 90's.
There's innovation for you... yes sir....

The AFA article is pretty much the text of a lecture I gave the TPFA in 1997. It's been published, with my permission, in a bunch of places, including this one. I didn't think it was cutting edge at the time and I don't now - it's essentially the basis for the way I've been shoeing horses since the early '80s - but you might be surprised at the numbers of folks to whom the concept of a short, upright, phalangeal lever is as exotic as a fisherman who won't lie.

There's nothing particularly innovative about the application of physical law to farriery, but judging by the controversy it still engenders today, one would think it was akin to tearing up a picture of Lungwitz on national TV or something similar. So, while I appreciate your pointing out my stuff in the AFA rag was ten years old, please be aware that it's based on stuff that's been around for roughly 2,200 years and a helluva lot of folks still haven't gotten the message - which makes it fairly timely.

With this in mind, I was honored when the editor of the AFA's publication asked my permission to publish one of my essays because I figured it just might help somebody, somewhere; or, much more importantly, might help some puke get his foot turned over a bit easier. Had they asked, I'd have been glad to contribute whatever else I could to help out, including new material. Farriery has been damn good to me I've never refused permission to anyone who asked to publish any of my essays. Similarly, I've never charged anyone a nickel for a lecture, clinic, demonstration, or wet lab and I've done a ton of 'em because, to me, giving back is not an outmoded concept.

I'm compelled to ask what'n hell have you ever contributed? In the big picture, criticizing some meaningless shoeing/forging contest and AFA politics don't amount to a bucket of warm spit: What have you ever done for the trade? [Apologies to Cactus Jack.]

[Thomas_Ride&Drive]

Don Who???

Who the heck are you to judge? What makes you qualified to make your opinions of worth?

To be frank you sound like a ranting maniac with a chip on either shoulder and a bug up your backside.

If you don't want to go to the clinic, then don't go. There's no need to throw your rattle and dummy out of the pram.

[Anvil150]

WOW :eek: What did Rick ever do to this guy :confused: hope he has the gonads to say ;)

[Cyber Farrier]

Enough.

Baron