Melton hosts 700-year world first

A WORLD first almost 700 years in the making was undertaken at Melton Entertainment Park this week.

Founded in 1356, the Worshipful Company of Farriers conducted an examination for its Fellowship during the past five days.

It is the first time the Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers has been attempted outside of England.

The WCF began as a medieval guild of farriers dedicated to upholding the high standards of equine welfare within the City of London.

Recognised with a Royal Charter from King Charles II in 1674, the WCF holds the esteemed 55th position in seniority among the City of London Livery Companies and plays a pivotal role in upholding professional standards under the Farriers Registration Act 1975.

​Proudly combining its heritage with a forward-looking mission by bridging tradition and innovation to preserve its relevance in the modern era, the WCF’s membership consists of farriers, veterinarians, and equestrian professionals from several countries…but no Australians!

STEVE CROSBIE during today’s final exam

Enter local farriers Steve Crosbie, Adam Tighe and Dean Lewis, who performed the various tasks of the exam under intense conditions.

Between them, the trio have 108 years experience as a farrier!

Crosbie predominantly works on thoroughbreds, with Tighe attending to “a bit of everything”.

Lewis is well-known in harness racing circles as a former successful trainer who still shoes standardbreds, along with police horses and thoroughbreds.

A third generation participant, Lewis’ grandfather Alf Simons is an Inter Dominion winning horseman, his mother, Betty, was a pioneer among reinswomen and his sister, Lisa, is a multiple Group One winner.

Lewis is also the son-in-law of Hall of Fame member Peter Manning and brother-in-law of harness racing’s most successful reinswoman, Kerryn.

SHOE BOARD

As for their endeavour, Crosbie, Tighe and Lewis’ tasks included being “given a medical scenario from the vet where they have to design a shoeing plan, implement that plan during a practical test and give an oral exam.”

The trio also had to make a ‘shoe board’ and have to write a 15,000-word dissertation known within the WCF as a “communication”.

The communication is a thesis on farriering, with the applicant to select the subject which must be supported by data before giving a 20-minute lecture to “defend it”.

Two farriers and a vet were flown over from England to oversee the examinations.

One of three examiners, Mark Watson has been a farrier for 34 years and a member of WCF for two decades.

DEAN LEWIS fitting his handy work during the final examination

“This examination and the WCF overall is about protecting the standards,” Watson said. “You can’t complain about low standards if you’re not part of keeping standards high!

“This is the first time ever someone outside the UK has to attempt the Fellowship Practical, which is quite amazing.

“It is the highest possible qualification in the world and one that carries great esteem within the field for more than half a millennium.

“Regardless of the outcome, I have to congratulate these three men and thank Harness Racing Victoria for the use of the facility and the first class manner in which they have treated us.”