Farrier Industry Association Newsletter

Farrier Industry Association
2201 Regency Road
Ste #704
Lexington, KY 40503

Staff Contacts
Executive Director:
Martha Jones

Member Services Manager: Margie Brangers

www.farrierindustry.org

2024 Board of Directors

President: Mark Hickcox
Vice President: Eric Nygaard
Secretary: Audrie Salsbury
Treasurer: John Harshbarger
Past President: Chuck Milne
Member: Erin Baayen
Member: Bobby Salsbury
Member:  Rob Michel

Member: Torri Broadus

Hello FIA Members!

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the entire year!  This year is extra special as I get to experience the holiday through my granddaughter's eyes.  Everything is new to her and she is just enjoying every new adventure.  Watching her gives me a new perspective.  Her joy is contagious and I am loving every minute!  A simple task of making sugar cookies turned into bursts of giggles as she was in charge of the decorations.  We had a mess, but we sure did have a lot of fun together!  

My hope is that you have the opportunity to share time with those you love during the holidays!

I so enjoyed meeting many of you at the AFA Convention!  Having communicated with many of you through email over the past year, it was nice to be able to put a face with the name.  The AFA convention will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee next year from November 11 - 15, 2024.  Mark your calendars so you don't overbook that week!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time via email or call/text me at (502) 779-1522 if you need my assistance.

FIA Progress – President’s View

December 2023

WHEW! What an energizing week in Reno!

Thank yous to everyone that helped plan and/or work through the week to make 2023 FIA MarketPlace a success. Also, the first ever FIA sponsored “Farrier Family Feud” was an entertaining and fun part of the AFA Convention program on the big stage.    

• Reno Recap FIA BOD meeting was November 29. This opportunity to list likes/dislikes from the 2023 MarketPlace and AFA Convention is a constructive way to record the feedback from each member.
• OVER 100 BOOTHS were sold in Reno. This number was more than the last FIA MarketPlace in Reno. THANK YOU!
• The FIA Hall of Legends invitation process was discussed and added to our next meeting agenda.
• Can we do the FIA Member Breakfast Meeting better? This will be a focus for the BOD in 2024. Panel ideas and a possible guest speaker could improve this FIA member event.
• FIA MarketPlace booth games will be a BOD topic for an upcoming meeting.
• Farrier Family Feud in Reno was a groundbreaking new idea that became a reality. How can we improve this in 2024? The FIA BOD has ideas and will put in the work for the next AFA Convention program too.
• The new FIA logo was a branding success! Each FIA member renewal packet comes with a window cling for your business. Don’t forget that Rayzin Kane Business Solutions can stitch your business logo and the new FIA logo on your branded gear. Visit rayzinkane.com to order!
• Our next BOD meeting is January 17th. Let’s start planning for 2024 FIA MarketPlace Chattanooga, November 11 – 15, 2024!

Visit www.farrierindustry.org for the FIA current events and latest updates!

Mark Hickcox CF

jmhickcox@victoryracingplate.com

We cannot thank ALL the exhibitors enough for their participation in MarketPlace in Reno and made the event such a great success!  The 2024 AFA Convention will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 11-15, 2024.  We hope you will plan to exhibit with us again!  (You will be hearing from me in the Spring!!)

And, let's not forget our many sponsors!  Your financial support of MarketPlace was greatly appreciated!  We hope you will consider being a sponsor again during 2024 as you develop your budgets for next year! 

Farrier Family Feud

We hope everyone enjoyed the Farrier Family Feud event in Reno!  There were lots of laughs and a lot of wrong answers, but we consider the event a success!  Jennifer Horn, CFJ, led the winning team to victory!  Pictured above was the host of the show, Rob Michel and the winning team.  Don't be surprised if you find this event on the 2024 convention schedule!

Pictured from left to right in front: Audrie Salsbury (Canoga Farrier Supply), John Harshbarger (Well-Shod), Rob Michel (Oleo Acres Farrier & Blacksmith Supply), Mark Hickcox (The Victory Racing Plate), Erin Baayen (Rusty Brown Jewelry), Chuck Milne (Texas Farrier Supply), Bobby Salsbury (Canoga Farrier Supply), Eric Nygaard (New Farm Farrier Supply) Pictured in back between Mark & Erin:  Torri Broadus (Hanton Horseshoes)

FIA Business Conference

We appreciate everyone who came out to be a part of the FIA Business Conference in Reno.  Every Board of Director member was able to participate this year.  You will find them all in the picture above.  The panel discussions were once again the highlight of the event!  Thank you to all the panelist who shared their time and wisdom with attendees and to Rob Michel for putting the panel together again this year!!  Our panel this year consisted of Remco van der Linden (Kahn Forge/Thoro'Bred), John Harshbarger (Well-Shod), Peter Werkman (Werkman USA), Chuck Milne (Texas Farrier Supply), Eric Nygaard (New Farm Farrier Supply) and Mark Hickcox (The Victory Racing Plate Company).

FIA LOGO CONTEST WINNER

Kimberlyn Gilchrist - Kawell USA

We were so happy that Kimberlyn was able to be with us in Reno for the announcement of the logo contest winner!   She was presented with a certificate for the winning prize of a MarketPlace booth in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2024 and a FIA polo!

  Congratulations Kimberlyn!!

November 11-15, 2024

HALL OF LEGENDS NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED

Do you have a nominee for the 2024 Hall of Legends that you feel should be honored for his/her service to the industry and to our Association?  Nominees may be living or deceased. 

Please be sure that your business agrees to this nomination and that only one nominee is submitted per business.  All nominations are due to the FIA office by April 1, 2024.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Martha Jones.

Thank you for your consideration, and for helping us recognize our influential members in this special way!

Click on this link to access the nomination form:

FIA Hall of Legends Nomination Form.pdf

 OR 

Hall of Legends Online Nomination Form

DON'T FORGET - NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2024.

It is time to renew your FIA membership!  Be on the lookout for renewal information both by email and your mailbox!!  Window clings with the new FIA logo will be mailed to members upon renewal.

THE HALLELUJAH HORSE

A cowboy buys a horse from the town pastor.  The pastor explains, "to make the horse go, you gotta yell, "Thank God!"  And to make it stop, yell, "Hallelujah."  The cowboy rides off.  He rides all day and starts to nod off in the saddle when he notices he is about to ride straight over a cliff.  Searching his memory, he yells to the horse, "Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!"  The horse grinds to a stop just at the edge of the cliff.  The cowboy wipes the sweat off his forehead.  "Phew!" the cowboy sighs.  "Thank God!"