FIT FOR FUNCTION:
THE ROLE OF FARRIERY IN EQUINE PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
Agria FEI Eventing European Championships, Blenheim Palace
CPD EVENT
Designed for vets, physios, farriers and all other equestrian professionals.
Limited Availability
PARTNERS
Join us for a unique CPD event held on the chat stage at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships, Blenheim Palace.
On Thursday, September 18th, we’re hosting a full day of learning and discussion. This is a chance for farriers, vets, physios, and all equestrian professionals to explore how farriery influences equine performance across disciplines and breeds.
With four expert speakers, the day promises practical insight and open discussion. We will explore the real-world impact of shoeing choices, and promote a collaborative approach to equine care and performance from the ground up.
Successful outcomes rely on farriers, vets, physios, and riders working together, seeing every angle, asking better questions, and making informed decisions that consider the horse’s long-term soundness and performance.
Whether new to CPD or looking to deepen your expertise, you’ll be in good company.
Tickets
Thursday 18th September 2025
Chat Stage; Agria FEI Eventing European Championship, Blenheim Palace
£80.00 *Your ticket includes parking and full entry into Blenheim Horse Trials. This means you’ll be able to enjoy the atmosphere and world-class competition as part of your visit.
PROGRAM
WHY ATTEND?
This isn’t just a day of lectures- it’s a chance to expand your knowledge of farriery in a setting that values practical, honest discussion.
If you're a vet, physio, bodyworker, coach, or rider, understanding how shoeing choices affect the horses you work with is key to offering, effective care. This day is designed to help you see farriery work in context - how it supports (or sometimes compromises) the performance, soundness, and recovery of the horses.
You’ll:
Hear directly from experienced farriers on the thinking behind their decisions
Explore how to communicate more effectively across professional roles
Learn how shoe design and placement influence biomechanics and outcomes
Gain confidence in spotting and discussing farriery-related issues with clients
Build your ability to collaborate and problem-solve as part of a wider care team
This is about seeing the full picture and applying that understanding to your own practice to improve outcomes for every horse.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Shoeing the Performance Horse
How farriery supports performance in sport horses
The importance of context: discipline, age, and workload
What performance-focused shoeing really looks like
Working closely with vets, physios and riders to build a complete care plan
Farriery: Performance or Pathology?
Are we shoeing to enhance or to manage?
What shoeing styles serve both performance and rehabilitation, and which don’t
Mechanics of shoe design: what helps and what hinders
An overview of farrier qualifications- what they mean, and why they matter
Thoroughbred Hoof Care – The Misunderstood Equine of the Family?
Understand the key challenges in shoeing Thoroughbreds
Why TB hoof care is often misunderstood
Practical advice for maintaining soundness and solving common problems
How to give meaningful feedback to farriers and owners - especially from the physio or vet’s perspective
What support RoR offers to owners of ex-racehorses
Fourth Lecture TBC
PRESENTERS
Ben Benson AWCF - Master Farrier
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Ben began his farriery career in 1999, training under Haydn Price and D.P. Smith. He qualified in 2003 and quickly built a reputation for his work with performance and remedial shoeing. In 2016, he earned his Associate qualification (AWCF), and a year later was named the 77th Master Farrier in the UK by the Worshipful Company of Farriers.
Based in North Oxfordshire, Ben runs a busy farriery practice serving clients from leisure horses to Olympic athletes. His team works closely with vets and other professionals to support each horse’s soundness and performance.
Ben was a lead farrier at London 2012 and Rio 2016, Head Farrier at Tokyo 2020, and most recently team farrier for Sweden at Paris 2024. He also supports the British Equestrian Federation’s talent pathway and has worked at major events worldwide.
A passionate educator, Ben regularly teaches farriers, vets, physios, and other equestrian professionals across the UK and internationally. He recently completed his term as President of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association.
Wayne Preece FWCF
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Wayne gained the DipWCF with honours in 1988 and established his own farriery practice in Settle, North Yorkshire, in 1994. He built a strong reputation for his work with lame horses and became a referral farrier for a local veterinary practice.
He gained his AWCF in 2001 and became an approved training farrier in 1997. In 2004, Wayne joined the teaching team at Myerscough College and progressed to Head Farriery Tutor by 2006. He qualified as a teacher and achieved the Fellowship (FWCF) in 2008—the highest qualification awarded by the Worshipful Company of Farriers.
In 2013, Wayne became a senior tutor at Hereford School of Farriery. In 2017, he returned to full-time shoeing, focusing on the practical work he enjoys most.
Wayne now combines farriery with international teaching and regularly delivers clinics in the USA, Israel, Poland, and Denmark.
Tom Smith FWCF GradDip ELR - Master Farrier
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Tom qualified as a farrier in 2006 and went on to achieve the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers – a prestigious title held by fewer than 50 people worldwide. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Equine Locomotor Research from the Royal Veterinary College, awarded with Distinction.
Since 2018, Tom has focused on shoeing racehorses and is the current RoR Farriery Ambassador. He’s a former Chair of the Farriers Registration Council and is passionate about improving equine welfare through research and education.
Tom is also an owner himself – his racehorse Annual Invictus is pictured with Tom above.
Fourth Presenter TBC
PARTNERS
Retraining of Racehorses
Every year, more than 2,000 racehorses retire from racing in Great Britain. Like people changing jobs, these horses need to learn new skills, adapt to new environments, and sometimes find new homes.
Established in 2000, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all former racehorses through various preventative measures, including:
Setting industry standards for retraining former racehorses.
Providing training and education to owners to build lifelong partnerships with their retired racehorses.
Promoting the versatility of these horses in various equestrian activities and facilitating their participation in competitions.
Maintaining a robust tracking system for former racehorses through RoR membership.
RoR also extends support to former racehorses in times of need through its welfare work.
Find out more about our work in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers
The records of the City of London Corporation show that on 27th March 1356, in the 30th year of the reign of Edward III, the Mayor, Henry Pykard, summoned before him all the Farriers of the City to deal with the many offences and damages which had been committed by "people not wise therein" who kept forges in the City and meddled with practices which they did not understand, to the greater detriment of the horse. The Mayor ordered the choosing of two Wardens who were given full power to oversee and govern the trade and to deal with any default.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Worshipful Company of Farriers is as influential in the development of farriery as it has ever been in its long history.
In 1975 the first Farriers Registration Act passed as law and it was affirmed that the Company should have the general functions of securing adequate standards of competence and conduct among farriers and the duty of promoting, encouraging and advancing the art and science of farriery' and education in connection with farriery.
In 1983 Her Majesty the Queen granted the Company a Supplemental Charter designed to bring up to date the powers and duties conferred by the original Charter granted in 1674 by King Charles II.
Through the vitality of the craft and the adaptability of the Company, there is therefore an unbroken link between the Company of today and the "Citizens and Farriers of London" incorporated as a Fellowship within the City in 1356.
In July 1691 the Company petitioned the Court of Aldermen to be re-established as one of the Livery Companies of the City of London and this was granted in June 1692.
The Company then had status as a Livery Company as distinct from a City Guild and remains proud to play its part in the constitution and life of the City.
Its involvement over the centuries with the evolution of the farriers' craft is evident from a simple listing of the activities for which it bears a major responsibility today. It assists apprentices; encourages and gives prizes for shoeing competitions; examines for the Diploma that entitles farriers to statutory registration and for two higher qualifications, namely the Associateship and the Fellowship.
It holds seminars for practising farriers and assists and supports other bodies undertaking farriery educational exercises and encourages research on matters in the farriery field.
The Company is justly proud in combining its interest in the modern craft of farriery with its history of involvement in the City.
The Worshipful Company of Farriers is number 55 on the register of the City of London Livery Companies.
Getting Here
Parking
Please park in the main car park unless you have purchased In-Show parking separately.
Car Park Opens at 8 am on Thursday, 18th September
Main Car Park Directions
Finding the Main Car Park: The Main Car Park, is accessible only via Hensington Gate (What3Words location reference – ///appointed.plankton.spoke). Please follow the ‘P’ square symbol on the yellow signage upon your arrival to direct you to the correct entrance.
Location Reference: For precise navigation to The Main Car Park, you can use the What3Words location reference – ///dustbin.arching.lookout. This will guide you directly to the designated Main parking area.
For more information on parking, please click below:
FAQs
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Thursday 18th September:
Car Park Opens 8 am
Gates Open 8:30 am
Shopping Village 9 am - 5 pm
Site closes 6.30 pm
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Parking is free in the main car park.
There is a parking area for people with disabilities close to the entrance. Blue badges must be displayed.
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Your ticket for the CPD event includes entry into the horse trials.