Joe O’Sullivan is no stranger to hard work, tradition and craftsmanship – qualities he’ll be bringing to the Farrier display at this year’s Wānaka A&P Show.
Joe spent 15 years working on high country stations throughout the South Island, starting out as a shepherd and working his way up to farm manager. One of his most memorable roles was managing Dingleburn Station at Lake Hāwea. His first introduction to farriery came much earlier, as an 18-year-old stockman at Molesworth Station, where he received training from Kevin and Pat Schimanski, master farriers from the North Island. After leaving the farming industry, Joe leaned back on those early skills and built his own farrier business.
A key turning point in Joe’s farrier journey was attending his first clinic with Trevor Sutherland – now the organiser of the Wānaka A&P Show farrier competition and display. Joe has been attending the Wānaka A&P Show for around 10 years and has competed in the farrier competition for the past three. Along the way, Trevor has become both a mentor and a friend, encouraging Joe to also help with coordinating the event.
For Joe, the farrier display is about much more than competition. Farrier competitions were created to preserve traditional skills and ensure they aren’t lost, and they offer valuable camaraderie in a trade that can often be a solitary one. Over the two-day event, competitors are judged on their ability to interpret the judge’s requirements, forge shoes from a single piece of steel, and balance and present a horse’s foot to a high standard. It’s a showcase of traditional farriery, blacksmithing and forging methods that keep horses sound and working – and a fascinating insight for spectators who may never have seen the trade up close.
Joe’s involvement with the farrier team grew through his enthusiasm for learning. Attending clinics led him to the Canterbury Farrier Association, further training opportunities, and eventually competition – progressing from a novice to an open competitor. In the lead-up to Show weekend, this means plenty of after-hours time at the forge making specimen shoes, along with helping host a two-day clinic with the judge so farriers can upskill alongside masters of the trade.
When he’s not in the farrier zone, Joe says his favourite parts of the Show are the stunning location, catching up with old friends, and watching equestrian clients compete in the Main Ring.
Catch Joe and fellow farriers in action the the Rural Village precinct – both days of the Show!
