It was in 1989 when Nigels journey in to farriery began, and he was apprenticed to training farrier Tim Godfrey in Farnham Surrey. In 1995 Nigel qualified with the diploma of the worshipful company of farriers. After gaining more experience and working hard in all aspects of farriery Nigel carried on his interest and study of farriery, to go on and achieve the Associateship of the worshipful company of farriers in the year 2000.
Nigel took full advantage when the opportunity arose for him to work for 2 years as the surgical farrier for the world renowned specialist laminitic veternary surgeon Robert Eustace FRCVS at the laminitis clinic Wiltshire England.
In Hampshire where Nigel runs his successful shoeing business, he shoes various types of horses rangeing from hunters that go with the Hampshire hunt to Eventers/Dressage/ShowJumpers that compete to all levels not to mention the number of pleasure horses that he shoes. Shoeing shires is always a hard but a pleasing challenge to Nigel,he looks forward to shoeing the small number of showing shires that he looks after including, the Fullers Brewery Shire horses.
Nigel has been competing now for 11 years now and although the competition ladder is a hard one to climb he has had many successes in British and overseas competitions. Main highlights include
- National Champion Medallist 2004
- National Industrial blacksmithing champion 2005
- England horse shoeing team (European team champions Italy 2006,2007)
- European show champion Fiera-cavalli Italy 2007
- World Champion Top Ten Finallist 2007
There has been many mentors in Nigels farriery career , he has included, all the competitors he has competed along side for many years, they have given vital information by demonstrating and helping him practice and improve his skills.
Predominatly in the beginning for the shoeing and shoe making Colin Smith FWCF(hons), Henry Gregory RSS(hons) and Adrian Devereux who introduced me to it all !!
Nigel now offers clinics for further education and is available for one to one, and groups including CPD clinics recognized and approved by the worshipful company of farriers.Clinics can also be given abroad.
Contact Nigel at nigel.fennell@btinternet.com or on 07887501509
http://www.nigelfennell.co.uk