Farrier Industry Association Newsletter

Farrier Industry Association
2201 Regency Road, Suite 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,

Can you believe it is already October?  Time to pick pumpkins and apples and have a bonfire!  Nothing tastes better than a hot dog cooked on a stick over the open flame!  And, don't forget the smores!  Good times!

We will all be together in Chattanooga in a few short weeks!  There are still 9 MarketPlace booths up for grabs if you want one!  If you have not reserved your booth in Chattanooga, I would love to hear from you so we can get your booth space reserved.  We want you to have the best possible booth for your company!

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

October 2024

FARRIER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION - Mission Statement: The mission of the FIA is to provide companies in the hoof care industry with programs and services which will strengthen and grow their businesses.

CAN YOU SAY SOLD OUT? FIA MarketPlace 2024 in Chattanooga is nearly sold out! We have less than 10 booths left, so if you want one don’t delay. This is going to be the biggest farrier event for the next 3 years (at least) that is held east of the Mississippi River. The FIA is welcoming so many new companies to MarketPlace this year and the wave of excitement is real. Thank you to everyone that has already purchased a booth, I’m so looking forward to meeting you in Chattanooga!

BOD Meeting Highlights and FIA things to know:

• The American Farriers Team and World Championship Blacksmiths are FIA sponsored! That FIA logo looks GREAT and both organizations are sporting it proudly. Our logo recently travelled to The Blacksmith World Championship at Spruce Meadows in Calgary and the BFBA International Team Horseshoeing Championship at Stoneleigh.
• Tuesday November 12, on the big stage, is FIA FARRIER FAMILY FEUD sponsored by Rusty Brown Jewelry! 4 teams of “farrier industry family” members will test their trivia knowledge and entertain YOU! Thank you to Torri and Bailee from Broadline Farrier Solutions and the rest of the FFF committee for taking this to the next level!
• The FIA Business Conference and Member Meeting will be Thursday November 14 from Noon to 1:30pm. If you are new to FIA MarketPlace this year, look for a “FIA Golden Ticket” in your registration packet. You can have lunch on us, and learn a little bit more about the Farrier Industry Association. Suppliers and manufacturers will be answering timely questions on the topic of the farrier industry and technology, during our panel discussion.
• New FIA Board of Directors members will be recognized at the FIA Member Meeting in Chattanooga. I’m looking forward to recognizing our outgoing FIA BOD members and welcoming the new ones!
• FIA Member Meeting 2025? I can hear it now, “but there’s no AFA Convention in 2025”. True statement, so let’s have our own FIA weekend! Come to the FIA Member Meeting in Chattanooga for more information. Planning has begun!
• Once again, Rayzin Kane is the official clothier of the AFA and FIA. You will see them onsite at the 2024 AFA Convention, but you can update your company gear year-round! Get your items ordered before Chattanooga to beat the rush!
• Download the EQUUS TV app to see the sights and sounds from Chattanooga. EQUUS TV is your location for the equestrian lifestyle all around the world. Diana De Rosa will be back for her second AFA Convention/FIA MarketPlace in Chattanooga. She is great at interviewing and the EQUUS TV coverage will help promote our industry to the masses.
• THE AFA AND FIA ARE NOT WORKING WITH A THIRD PARTY TO BOOK HOTEL ROOMS IN CHATTANOOGA!!! Please book your hotel room through the host hotel within the room block. If you are contacted by anyone about hotel rooms, it is a scammer.

The next FIA BOD meeting is on October 16, 2024.

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

Mark Hickcox CF

jmhickcox@victoryracingplate.com

FIA MarketPlace Exhibitors as of September 30, 2024

Visit our website at:  www.farrierindustry.org to apply for booth space online.

Equus Television will be joining us again this year in Chattanooga!  Click here to view FIA President Mark Hickcox's interview from last year:   Mark Hickcox Intervi

A "SPECIAL" Thank you to these FIA MarketPlace Sponsors!

AFA Auction Donation Request Letter

2024 AFA Grand Finale and Live & Silent Auction

Chattanooga, TN

I am writing to you on behalf of the American Farriers Association, to request a donation from your business for a Live and Silent Auction at our upcoming 53^rd Annual Convention in Chattanooga, TN.  I appreciate your willingness to support our event and our fundraising efforts to support the diverse programs the AFA offers to support our industry.

The proceeds from our Live and Silent Auction provide continued support to the membership through the Jim Linzy Fund, Equine Research Fund, Certification Program, Bruce Daniels Scholarship, American Farriers Team, Cultural Exchange Program, and the General Fund– day-to-day operating expenses. To learn more about these programs, please visit our website at www.americanfarriers.org.

Please consider supporting our event by donating merchandise, services, or gift certificates by filling out the enclosed “Auction Donation” form and return it with your donation to the AFA Registration desk located in the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the AFA office at 859.233.7411 or info@americanfarriers.org. 

In order for your item(s) to be included in the auction, they need to be received in Chattanooga by Wednesday, November 13. 

We thank you in advance for your consideration of this request and for helping the dedicated farriers in our industry continue to advance their skills. 

Sincerely,

Margie Lee-Gustafson

AFA Auction Committee

2024 Auction Donation Form.doc

• What's a pumpkin's favorite Western? The Gourd, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Farrier Industry Association Address:  2201 Regency Road, Suite 704, Lexington, KY  40503.  We have received several pieces of mail recently addressed to an old address.  Please update your records.  Thanks!!

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