Farriery specialists who trim hooves and fit horseshoes gathered to test their skills against one another.
The Korea Racing Authority held the 10th Korea Racing Authority Chairman's Cup Korean Farriery Championship at the 88 Equestrian Arena at Lets Run Park Seoul on Saturday, the organization announced Monday.
Now in its 10th year, the competition drew participants ranging from licensed working farriers to apprentices and students from equine-focused vocational high schools. The event is designed to raise farriery standards and foster exchanges among professionals in the field.
Competitors faced off across six categories — beginner, intermediate, advanced, live shoeing and two others — with time limits of 30 to 50 minutes per event to complete assigned tasks demonstrating technique and proficiency.
A total of 16 competitors placed in the standings. In the beginner student division, Nyamochir, a Mongolian student enrolled at Korea Horse Industry High School, claimed the top prize for the second consecutive year. Farrier Kim Ju-hyeok also secured back-to-back wins in the intermediate division. Farrier Lee Hun-hak swept both the advanced and live-shoeing categories to take the double crown.
Eom Yeong-seok, head of the Korea Racing Authority's horse industry division, said he hoped the competition had served as a meaningful occasion for farriers to share their experience and expertise and grow together. "We will continue to support the development of skilled professionals and promote technical exchange to contribute to the advancement of farriery and the broader horse industry," he said.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
