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,

I hope you had a happy and safe long Labor Day weekend!  We are certainly ready for the weather to become cooler!  It has been a hot summer here in Kentucky!  My little granddaughter started preschool recently.  What a sad day!  Seems like yesterday she was born.  They grow up so fast!!!  I treasure every moment I get to spend with her!  She and I are buddies!

Can you believe we will all be together in Chattanooga in just 10 short weeks?  We still have MarketPlace booths available if you are considering being an exhibitor.  114 booths have been reserved as of August 31, 2024.  So, there are only 17 booths up for grabs!  It is my understanding that this year's MarketPlace is even bigger than the 50th Anniversary show.  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

September 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.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, I have so much respect for our very own Super Margie and crew in the FIA office! Not only do the FIA ladies keep their fingers on the pulse of our membership each day, but those booths don’t sell themselves! Thank you for your efforts in making sure that this FIA MarketPlace has more booths sold than even the AFA 50^th Anniversary Convention in Arlington, TX! We are going to see new vendors this year and some that we haven’t seen in a while. So, buckle up Chattanooga, we’re coming in strong and this may be our best FIA MarketPlace yet!! Contact the FIA office soon, if you are looking to join the largest farrier tradeshow east of the Mississippi for at least the next 3 years.

EQUUS TV is coming back! LIVE on-site coverage of all things AFA Convention/FIA MarketPlace will happen again this year on EQUUS TV. Download the EQUUS TV app and see the sights and sounds from Chattanooga. Diana De Rosa was interviewing farrier industry movers and shakers at the AFA Convention last year in Reno, from the competition arena, the lecture hall, and the FIA MarketPlace. When customers ask you what the AFA Convention and FIA MarketPlace is all about, send them to EQUUS TV to check it out.

BOD Meeting Highlights and FIA things to know:

• 2024 FIA ELECTIONS ARE HERE! Throw your hat in the ring to be the next great BOD member for our industry association. Several members finish their terms this year so if you’d like to be nominated, please let the FIA know ASAP. Thank you to everyone that has already submitted a nomination!
• Thursday, Thursday, Thursday! The FIA Business Conference and Member Meeting will be Thursday November 14. BOD member Rob Michel from Oleo Acres Farrier & Blacksmith Supply will lead the panel discussion again this year. Suppliers and manufacturers will be represented on the panel and answering timely questions on the topic of the farrier industry and technology. Bring questions for the audience Q&A!
• DRUM ROLL PLEASE… Farrier Family Feud is back on the big stage and now the prizes are sponsored byRusty 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 being all-in on this project!
• Please visit www.rayzinkane.com to get the new FIA logo embroidered or screen printed on your company’s gear. 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!
• 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 September 18, 2024.

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

Mark Hickcox CF

jmhickcox@victoryracingplate.com

Cuba’s Horses is improving the wellbeing of the working horse in Cuba which will allow them to provide many more years of service to the equine owners.  Not only will they continue to earn a living and feed their families but do so in a sustainable and humane manner. Our goal is to provide horse and other equines with a healthier and happier life while continuing to provide income for the Cuban people.

To accomplish this:

1. Stage one includes regular deworming as well as providing protective equipment to prevent sores and lamenesses.
2. Stage two includes providing education for owners, farriers, veterinarians, harness makers, and other equine professionals to increase awareness of the problems as well as the solutions affecting the horses.
3.  Stage three includes the establishment of businesses to manufacture protective equipment and needed horse supplies within Cuba

By providing support, education and delivering necessary equipment and medicines, we work to improve the standard of living for equines in Cuba as well as their owners and their families.

If you have nippers and clenchers that you could donate to this cause, please reach out to Betsy Gosling, President of Cuba's Horses, at 504-390-5239 or email her at cubashorses@gmail.com.

Your donations would greatly help this cause!

FIA MarketPlace Exhibitors as of August 31, 2024

We would love to add your company to our list of MarketPlace exhibitors!  

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!

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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