by Cyndi Rowat
Five days of world calibre horseshoeing competition wrapped up at the 27th annual World Champion Blacksmiths’ competition held during the Stampede Stock Show, July 5 to 9, 2006.
Through a series of intense forging and shoeing challenges, the field of 56 competitors from 13 countries was narrowed down to the final ten.
Billy Crothers of Wales led the contest coming into the semi-finals ahead of Steven Beane of England. The semi-final brought together the top-ten contestants to shoe the front feet of a horse in order to qualify for an opportunity to compete in the final five and a chance at the $10,000 champion prize money provided by event partner Mustad.
“This really is the best of the best,” attests Blaine Virostek, chairman of the blacksmith committee. “I think that the finish was one of the closest we’ve had in a long time.”
Crothers, Beane, Jim Quick, and Craig Trnka of the United States and James Findler of Canada all performed well enough to gain a spot in the final five.
With a consistent effort throughout the competition, Crothers stayed in the lead and was named the World Champion Blacksmith for the fifth time in the competition’s history.
In a sport where the best of the best toil over hot coals for five days of physical and mental challenges, to top the competition requires training, dedication, and fitness.
Crothers’ last win was in 1998. “I think this win does mean more because of the stretch really, (between the years in coming here). It was a five-year break until last year and I wanted it badly last year, but there was just a fella that wanted it more than I did,” laughs Crothers. “ This year it just really came through.”
Fitness was an important component for Crothers this year. “It becomes more important as you get older.” Crothers is 45 compared to Beane’s 28 years. “I have been running for the past 5 to 6 weeks. That’s something that I never had to worry about before.”
Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Crothers has been shoeing since he was 16, deviating from the family occupation of building to forge his own path.
After a four-year apprenticeship in Cardiff, Crothers moved to England in 1982 and has been shoeing in England for past 23 years. Currently, he has a farrier practice with eight farriers, manufactures horseshoes, and has a farrier supply business run by his wife Lucy.
Over $25,000 in prize money was awarded to the balance of contestants including Steven Beane of England who was named Reserve Champion.
