Farriers face off at St Mawgan Steam & Vintage Rally

Between the traction engines, the vintage tractors and the smell of hot oil, there’s going to be another sound at St Mawgan this year: hammer on anvil, and the hiss of a shoe being quenched.

A first for the rally

The St Mawgan Steam & Vintage Rally is adding a Farrier Competition to its programme for the first time, running across both days of this year’s show, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. Farriers will go head to head in a proper competition setting, with categories including open gas forging, free forging and pony shoeing among the events on the card. By the end of the weekend, one competitor will be crowned Farrier Champion.

Organisers say it’s a fitting addition to a rally built around traditional skills and machinery, and one that needs no background knowledge to enjoy. Spectators are being encouraged to come and watch the speed, precision and craftsmanship involved in a trade that rarely gets a stage of its own.

📷Credit: St Mawgan Steam & Vintage Rally

Who’s judging, and who’s backing it

The competition is being judged by John Benfield, and is sponsored by South West Farrier Supplies, Handmade Shoes, Stromsholm Farrier Supplies, Tyler’s Hoof Care Products and Nick Plant.

Anyone wanting to take part rather than watch can contact Ryan Chapman on 07734 787044.

Part of the normal weekend

There’s no extra charge to watch. The Farrier Competition runs as part of a standard St Mawgan rally weekend ticket, alongside everything else already on the bill. Organisers are billing it as one more reason to make the trip this September, sparks and all.

📷Credit: St Mawgan Steam & Vintage Rally