Thankyou everyone for driving so far to come to this clinic.
Kim your pictures are something I am looking forward to.
I know what I saw from your camers was awesome.
(as soon as Kim has a chance to forward me the photo's they will be posted in the phot album section of this site)
We had 46 folks at the clinic if I remember correctly the last count.
Folks drove up from Rhode Island, Massachussetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and we even had 3 folks drive down 5 hrs from Ontario, Canada.
Folks from this board in attendance were;
Dave Whitaker who brought two of his apprentices.
Kim Cassidy (Irishcas) came over from Orange County New York.
Erin drove up from Rhode Island.
Ken Wilder and Debra Ash and others drove up from Massachussetts.
The folks from Onario, Canada are contributors on this board and I had a chance to talk with all of them.
(They mentioned they are bringing Dr. "Tookie Myers" up to do a clinic and I hope to make it up for that)
I met Dr. myers and Baron Taylor years ago when they put on a clinic at the Miners Institute in New York and showed us how Sigafoo shoe's were used and applied.
This goes back when sigafoo shoe's first came out.
I know I am missing others and I am sorry, it is old age I think.
Mitch did an awesome job and held everyones attention.
It did my heart good to see we had a LARGE number of barefooters in attendance.
( Vermont Farriers Association was formed with the intent to bring ALL HOOF CARE PROFESSIONALS TOGETHER. We come together with ONE COMMON GOAL- to learn and advance as the professionals we are)
We also had a large number of Farriers.
I was and am constantly saddened by the MANY FARRIERS who never attend..
The chance to learn is there for everyone and our doors are and always have been open to ANYONE wanting to learn at a clinic or demonstration.
It was a long day and EVERYONE shared comments and idea's and listened intently.
We had 3 veterinarians and a large number of horse owners in attendance.
Meaders Supply, Lorraine and her husband had driven up from Rochester, New hampshire and set up a table of items to sell and to be a strong part of this clinic.
Meaders have been a member and STRONG supporter of the Vermont Farriers Association from the very beginning.
We are proud to have them as members and grateful for ALL THEY DO throughout the years.
Mitch gave a great beginning presentation of clips/pictures to lead into and help folks understand things better when the actual disection began.
A little while after he started to skin and cut the leg you had to be skinny and tall to get close to the table. Everyone was packed in tight around Mitch and rarely a erson moved for fear of loosing their spot.
In the beginning of the disection we had a cameraa focused on him and folks sitting could see the process on the screen.
Kim turned out to be our photographer and she put herself in many positions and contortions to get a series of photo's that would show much of what was going on.
Food was served for all, corn chowder,macaroni glop, chili,
and assorted veggies to munch on.
The day started at 8:30 with me parking cars and the clinic stated late around 9;30 as we figured the last of the folks had arrived.
It was 6:30 when we cleaned up the place, mopped the floor and put everything back and away.
It was snowing and being a wet snow it was a hazard to drive in.
We held our Assoc., meeting at the end and Mark Schneider was elected President, Diane Saunders is the new Treasurer and will continue to hold the Secretary position, Ken Norman will continue as Vice President and two Board members we elected. (me and Cory)
Skip Messick was sitting in on the meeting and his input and idea's were a great help.
For those of you who don't know Skip, he is a CJF and one of the nicest easy going gentelmen you will ever meet.
He has helped me in the past and others and being his nature, he will help many others in the future.
I drove home over the mtn and found cars slipping and sliding and know some of them weren't going to make it over the top. I drove around one pickup that had gotten as high as his tires and the snow would allow him near the peak of the mtn.
Farriers loaded truck /winter studded tires and 4 wheel drive took me home safely. Oh! yes and a damn good driver with common sense did his part too. (ME !!!)
Future coming events and clinics of VtFa;
We are smoothing out and co-ordinating the details for the up coming AFA certification.
We are planning a forging contest.
We discussed trying to get members of the AFA Farriers Team and WCB up here for a clinic and to help instruct.
We will be working on a horse owners educational day.
For those of you who are close to Vermont, Mark Schneider holds a hammer in at his home on the 3rd Sunday of each month. It is a relaxed time in his shop with lots of anvils ringing and good help and conversation and a chance to make new friends while improving your forging skills.
Education is what we are striving and continuing to bring to the north country.
Vermont Farriers Assoc. started as my baby and with the help, guidance, visions of all its working members it has grown and been in existance longer than anyone probably figured it would be.
With young blood like Mark Schneider coming in as the 3rd elected President I can see an even brightrer future for this
wonderful organization.
Without Founding members like Ken Norman, Diane Saunders,Anthony Peduto (who has taken a leave of absence to care for his father), nothing could have been accomplished.
The UNSELFISH DEDICATION these folks have given are what make Vermont Farriers Association.
With new members like Mark Schneider, Joe O'leary and other dedicated members it will continue to bring education to the north country.
Ken Wilder NEVER misses a clinic nor any opportunity to contrinue to learn. This man drives up from Mass. and is a member...
Southen New England Farriers Association, SNEFA has been not only a friend but a strong resource throughout the years of development.
John Blombach and Debra Ash and Jim Smith are always just a phone call away.
These are not only good people, but unselfish people always ready with a willing hand.
Thankyou to everyone !!!
my 2 cents worth
__________________
"you may not like what I say" !
-but-
"you'll never have any doubts where I stand
quote Cindy Matthews 1948-2006
Bruce Matthews AFA #1300