Scottish farrier wins European Championship

David Varini has won the 2014 European Farriery Championship at Myerscough College, Lancashire (25-27 July).

Test of skills

The Championships, which takes place every two years, consists of a series of classes to test forging and shoeing skills. This year it was hosted by the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, who welcomed 54 competitors from 16 countries.

Only the top ten qualify for the penultimate round of the competition, which sees the farriers trim, forge and fit shoes for two front feet within a strict time frame. This is then whittled down to five for the final round, where they have to shoe two hind feet.

Scottish champion

It was Scotland’s David Varini who claimed the title, beating the National and World Champion Steven Beane from England into second place by less than two points.

Irish farrier Edward O’Shaughnessy who works in Newmarket was third, while France’s Mathieu Delcroix and Christian Albergne finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.