Fantastic farrier in double celebration

A Worcestershire farrier has received national recognition after securing two awards from the profession’s leading trade organisation.

Pip Rowland, from Evesham, has been recognised by the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) in a graduation ceremony at the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

The 24-year-old, who is a keen polocrosse player, has recently completed his four-year farriery apprenticeship through Moreton Morrell College.

He was presented by the WCF with two prizes, the David Llewellyn Prize and the Mike Seckington Prize.

The David Llewellyn Prize is in recognition of the best theory paper across all candidates and the Mike Seckington Prize is presented to the student with the highest mark in the practical aspect of the exam.

Pip said: “It definitely surprised me to win the prizes, I worked really hard for those assessments but it was still a shock to win.

“Polocrosse is one of my biggest passions and I have played at the highest level nationally and competed internationally. I took up farriery because I was tired of having to pay people to shoe my horses.

“It hadn’t necessarily been a long-term plan to work in the profession but that’s how it has turned out. I’m looking into setting up my own business currently but in the meantime have been using my skills to support other qualified farriers.

“I really enjoyed my time studying at college and to top off my apprenticeship with these two awards is a proud moment.

“Farriery as a trade has a great history and it is continuing to evolve with the demands of the modern world. It has evolved a lot over the last decade or so, but fundamentally there will always be a need for shoeing horses, and therefore always be a need for farriers.”

Moreton Morrell College, which is part of WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group), saw 12 candidates graduate on the day. The graduate class was made up of students from three colleges, with more than half of the graduates coming from WCG.

Tim James, farrier tutor at Moreton Morrell College, said: “It’s always a proud moment to see our apprentices graduate in Worshipful Company of Farriers ceremony.

“Pip was a truly outstanding apprentice and a deserved winner of both of the prizes.

“We would like to congratulate all of our apprentices on their achievements and wish them the best of luck as they pursue carriers in the profession.”  

Farriery is a regulated profession and all farriers are required to pass the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF) examination before being admitted on to the Register of qualified Farriers before they may legally practise.

Once qualified a farrier may either practise as an individual or join a farriery practice to work as part of a team.

WCG offers a wide range of apprenticeships in a variety of industries. For more information visit www.wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships