05/19/2026
Nigel Fennel CJF, FE, DWCF, AWCF, FWCF will be covering a variety of day-to-day shoe modifications, forging techniques, and his approach to shoe fit, center of stock, and core elite-level fundamentals that help elevate overall shoeing and anvil-working dynamics. This Clinic is at 259 S Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio on May 30th! This clinic is hands on. You may bring your own rig. Lunch will be provided for current and future members of MEFA. Starts at 9 Am. 259 S Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622.
His Biography is below:
Nigel began his English apprenticeship in 1989 and qualified in 1995. With over 36 years of farriery experience, he has achieved numerous certifications and accomplishments throughout his career.
He holds both the Diploma and Associateship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and earned the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF) with Honours in 2022. He is one of only seven farriers in the last 60 years to achieve this rare distinction, regarded as the highest gold medal certification awarded by the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He also holds the American Farrier’s Association Certified Farrier (CF) and Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF) certifications, along with passing the Forging Endorsement Exam in 2022.
Nigel was awarded the American Farrier’s Association Jim Linzy Outstanding Clinician Award in 2024 and was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in 2025.
A dedicated competitor with over 25 years of contest experience in both the United Kingdom and internationally, Nigel has earned more than 250 contest awards. Career highlights include National Industrial Blacksmithing Champion, two Italian Farriery Show Champion titles in Verona, Italy, and Double British National Champion Medalist honors. He has represented the England Farrier Team eight times as both a primary and alternate member, contributing to two International Team victories in 2013 and 2014.
Additional accomplishments include Reserve Individual International Show Champion at Stoneleigh International in 2014, two World Championship Top Ten Finalist placements in Calgary, Canada (2007 and 2013), and finalist recognition at the European Farriery Championships in Austria in 2012. Nigel also won the prestigious World Horseshoeing Team Classic in Kentucky in both 2016 and 2017 alongside teammates Steven Beane, Darren Bazin, and Derek Gardner. Additional titles include the Alberta Farriery Championships in Canada in 2019 and a WCB Match Play straight heat title in Virginia in 2017.
Throughout his career, Nigel has worked alongside many of the finest farriers in the world, all of whom have influenced his work in practice, competition, and education. He has shod a wide variety of breeds and performance disciplines throughout his career.
For 16 years, Nigel has served as an appointed and approved judge for the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He also served as England Farrier Team Manager and Coach from 2012 through 2018.
Nigel is internationally recognized as a farriery clinician and judge, teaching shoeing, forging, and competition skills around the world. He has conducted clinics across the United States as well as in Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and Germany.
In addition to farriery, Nigel later expanded into equine steel sculpture work. His third sculpture, Secretariat, completed in 2022, received significant recognition in the United States. He has received art awards from both the United States and Luxembourg and is currently working on his fourth sculpture, “Kings of America,” featuring fighting Mustang stallions.
Nigel and his wife Susie moved to the United States in 2020 and currently reside in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Together they operate the Foremans Forge Farriery educational facility, a unique post-graduate training center dedicated to advancing continuing education opportunities for farriers of all levels while also maintaining a small shoeing practice.
