SouthWestern Ohio Farriers Association

08/28/2026

🔨 Preparing for AFA Certification? Give yourself the best possible start! 📖

The AFA Pre-Certification Program provides focused, standardized preparation built around the AFA Certification Program - helping candidates understand what is expected while developing greater knowledge, stronger skills and more confidence.

Through instruction, demonstration and hands-on learning, Pre-Certification clinics can cover everything from:

📖The certification process
📖Study habits
📖Anatomy
🔨Shoe displays
🔨Forging
🔨Practical shoeing
📏Measurements
📏Fit and finish

Whether you are beginning your certification journey or preparing for your next level, Pre-Certification gives you an opportunity to sharpen your skills, ask questions and make sure your preparation is heading in the right direction.

💥AFA PRE-CERTIFICATION BUNDLE NOW AVAILABLE! 💥

Valued at $375, the bundle is available for just $300 and includes:

🔷 Pre-Certification fee
🔷 Certification Guide
🔷 Set of Hoof Templates
🔷 Certification fee

📘 Plus, every candidate receives a complimentary Pre-Certification Workbook onsite!

Start preparing now - and take your next step towards AFA Certification!

08/24/2026

Winners from our “contest “ at the hammer in Friday night 💪🤛
🥇 Joe Phillips
🥈 Sarah Zimmerman
🥉 Caleb Zachrich

08/22/2026

Mike and Angie Augenstein graciously opened up their home and shop to host a hammer in last night .

Great food,fellowship and forging!

We had many in attendance from the SWOFA and MEFA chapters.

It was a special night with many of our “seasoned” farriers on hand sharing their memories and swapping stories 

08/20/2026

📣 MEFA ANNUAL COMPETITION – SEPTEMBER 25TH & 26TH 🐎🔨

We are getting everything organized for the Mid-Eastern Farrier Association Annual Competition and need to get a count of everyone planning to attend, compete, and participate in the weekend events!

📝 REGISTER HERE:

MEFA Competition Registration Form

Please complete the registration form with the following information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkLjO2lBN9RV1cHbTwM3Fvgu3dSgwPTIoTOxJ2nX0TSAG-Ew/viewform?usp=dialog

• Name (First & Last)
• Email Address
• Mailing Address
• Organization/Business, if applicable
• What day(s) you will be attending
• Whether you will attend the Banquet Dinner & Auction Friday night
• Which class(es) you would like to compete in

🍽️ BANQUET DINNER & AUCTION
The banquet dinner will be held Friday night and is $50 per person. The auction will immediately follow!

🔨 If you have an item, service, gift basket, or anything else you would like to donate to the auction, please let us know!

📧 IMPORTANT: Please make sure you add [email protected] to your contacts or safe sender list so you don't miss any important competition updates. Send me an email so I can add you to the mailing list.

🏨 HOTEL INFORMATION:
Get your rooms reserved at the Hocking College Hotel!
📞 (740) 753-3531

Please register as soon as possible so we can get an accurate headcount and make sure everything is ready for a great MEFA Competition weekend!

We can't wait to see everyone September 25th & 26th! 🐴🔨

08/19/2026

🍁🔨 GET FALL CERTIFICATION READY!

Fall Certification dates are coming up - so now is the time to start preparing!

Whether you are working towards your first AFA Certification or taking the next step, give yourself plenty of time to STUDY, PRACTICE and PREPARE before Certification day.

📖 Get your AFA Certification Guide
🐴 Practice with hoof templates
🔨 Get those shoes made
🗓️ Find an upcoming Certification near you

👉 Visit the AFA Online Store for your Certification Guide and hoof Templates https://americanfarriers.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=707012
👉 View the AFA Certification Calendar https://americanfarriers.org/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&end=&view=&cid=19168

Don't forget to check out the AFA Certification resources on the website - including the Learning Center Videos! https://americanfarriers.org/page/learning-center-videos

Study. Practice. Prepare.

08/18/2026

08/16/2026

:🐴 Farriers Helping Farriers - The Jim Linzy Fund

When an AFA member is unable to work because of injury, illness or surgery, their local Chapter can organize a Jim Linzy Benefit Clinic to help raise money for the injured farrier.

How it works:
🔨The beneficiary must be a current AFA member.
🔨 The local Chapter organizes and hosts the benefit Clinic.
🔨 The AFA can help the Chapter find a suitable clinician.
🔨 The clinician has their travel expenses reimbursed through the Jim Linzy Fund.
🔨 100% of the funds raised at the clinic go directly to the injured or ill farrier.

Interested in hosting a Jim Linzy Benefit Clinic, please visit: https://americanfarriers.org/page/jim_linzy_fund

08/14/2026

****OPEN DIVISION TOP THREE OVERALL****

🥇
David Reed
🥈
Garret Stark
🥉
Caleb Zachrich

The Open was stacked with 14 worthy individuals battling for top honors 💪👏👏

08/13/2026

Here’s your overall winners from the intermediate division of our SWOFA Contest.
1st Wesley White
2nd Cole Harmon
3rd Reed Sutter

Wesley was watching his phone all weekend wondering if he needed to beeline it back to New York for the arrival of his firstborn.
As far as I know,no baby yet..

The intermediate was a stacked class! There’s lots of talent coming on💪👍👏