The first Eastern region pre-Diploma training day run by the Farriery team at the Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA), was oversubscribed by apprentices from across the country and looks set to be the first of many similar events.

Sixteen fourth year apprentices were put through a shortened form of their exams to give them an insight into the Worshipful Company of Farrier’s Diploma examination (DipWCF).

The three examiners, Simon Curtis FWCF Hon Assoc RCVS; Farriery Examiner Dr Chris Pardoe PhD BSc (hons), AWeldI AWCF and Veterinary Examiner Ben Ryder-Davies BSc, assessed their abilities in shoeing, horseshoe making, answering written and oral questions.

Despite the eastern England location, the event attracted apprentices from the Isle of Wight to Lancashire and Worcester to Suffolk. Speaking on behalf of the SAA, farriery senior steward and event organiser Stuart Garrard said: “This is a much needed day in the farriery diary in this part of the country. The apprentices get few chances to run through their final exams with Worshipful Company examiners so this can be crucial to their future careers.”

Examiner Simon Curtis said: “The young farriers will be sitting their final exam later this year and all will have benefited from their experience at Trinity Park.”

Steel for the shoes was kindly provided by AJN Steelstock Ltd.

A further pre-Diploma day is planned for the autumn at the Richard Gowing Farriery Centre at Trinity Park.

For further details contact Elizabeth Payne on 01473 707115 or visit the facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Farriery-at-Trinity-Park/278165758917539