News - Judging honors for NMIT farriery staff
5 May 2010
As a reflection of the industry's high regard for NMIT farriery program staff, Colin Smith and Peter Suszcynski have been invited to officiate at two premier horse shoeing competitions in Queensland.
Colin, NMIT's senior lecturer in farriery, will judge the prestigious World Cup Draught Horse Shoeing Championships, a feature of the annual Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days, in May.
This competition attracts teams from Europe, New Zealand and Australia and comprises four classes scheduled over two days.
Three members make up each team - one person dresses the hoof, one makes the horseshoe and a third is the fireman and striker.
Teams are judged on their capacity to professionally and proficiently dress the feet of the competition horses, make and fit the horseshoes, nail on the shoes and finish the job off. The teams must make the shoes to the judge's specifications.
Colin is well qualified to judge the World Cup. He is one of only 400 people in the world to hold the ACWF - Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, and he has a first-hand appreciation of the competition, having been the captain of the winning team in 1991.
Peter is a sessional teacher in NMIT's farriery program and will travel to Brisbane in August, to officiate at a national horseshoeing competition held during the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane.
Over 40 competitors representing most states will contest individual championship honors at this event. The competition is part of a national circuit and a prelude to the national championships held in November.
Together, Colin and Peter share 20 years' teaching experience in farriery at NMIT
