Myerscough farriers celebrate qualifying at national awards ceremony
- Published
- Tuesday 25 June
A number of Myerscough College Farriery students were recognised for more than four years of hard work during the industry’s recent national registration ceremony.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers and the Farriers Registration Council recently presented diplomas to newly qualified apprentices from across the country at a ceremony held at the St Mary-at-Hill Church in London.
They can all now use the prestigious ‘DipWCF’ after their names, and officially work as a practicing qualified farrier.
All the students had to go through a vigorous advanced training programme, taking more than four years to complete, with their final exams, which determined if they qualified or not, taking place a few months ago.
Representatives from the Court of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, the Farriers Registration Council, the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, the Colleges, and the Company’s Examinations Board were also present at the prestigious ceremony.
It’s always great to see our young farriers graduate and also celebrate with their proud partners and parents. We hope to see them in the future and wish them every success.
Farriery, or the shoeing of horses, is an ancient craft. A farrier is a skilled craftsperson, capable of making shoes to suit all types of horse and their working conditions. Modern farriers must have knowledge of the anatomy of horses’ feet and legs, be able to work alongside vets, manage and handle horses, understand and meet the needs of clients and successfully run their own business.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers was founded in 1356 in the City of London at the request of the Mayor to manage those involved with the craft of farriery and to uphold the welfare of the horse through good practice, which it continues to do in the 21st century. In 1674 during the reign of Charles II the Company was granted a Royal Charter and it is number 55 on the register of the City of London Livery Companies.
The Company maintains its close association with its origins and the craft by being the awarding body for the farriery qualifications of Diploma, Associate and Fellow. The Company continues to play a key role in the welfare of the horse by upholding high standards of farriery both in the UK and in overseeing examinations abroad. It also runs an extensive programme of competitions for shoeing and shoemaking, and best shod horse awards.