World Champion Blacksmith gives farriery masterclass

Steve is known internationally as one of the best in the industry and regularly visits Myerscough, to give the College’s farriery apprentices his expert advice and a demonstration, as part of a pre-diploma clinic.

Steve won the world blacksmith title for four consecutive years between 2009 & 2012, before claiming the crown for a fifth time in 2014.

Steven Beane said: ‘’It’s a fantastic learning experience for the students, they examine me and then get to do a mock practical and oral exam.

‘’I sit the exam with the students marking me, under the watchful eye of Paul Conroy (Myerscough tutor). Then they all have a mock exam which I assess. Thank you to Myerscough and all the team for organising the clinic. Thank you to my personal sponsor Heller and Mustad Hoofcare for theircontinued support.

‘’It’s tough after four years for their futures to hang on one exam but they’ll be more ready now for the task they face.’’

Steve Beane’s visit shows the great contacts within the industry that Myerscough College has and it’s a great experience for the group to meet somebody so well regarded within it. Industry visits by such professionals add to the high quality of course provision offered by Myerscough and inspires the learners even further.

Farriery apprentices undertake more than four years of training, before preparing for their final assessment to pass the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) qualification, to allow them to practice as a professional working farrier.

Farriery, or the shoeing of horses, is an ancient craft. A farrier is a skilled craftsperson, capable of making shoes to suit all types of horse and their working conditions. Modern farriers must have knowledge of the anatomy of horses’ feet and legs, be able to work alongside vets, manage and handle horses, understand and meet the needs of clients and successfully run their own business.