Heartland Horseshoeing School

The Staff

Chris Gregory

Kelly Gregory

Chris has been shoeing for a living since 1987. In 1991, he achieved his first major milestone by passing the American Farriers Association Certified Journeyman Farrier exam. Since originally passing the CJF exam at the age of 22, Chris has passed the test several more times. In 1998 at the age of 30, Chris became the second American to receive the title of Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, London. There is somewhere around 45 people in the world who are currently FWCF and still living, most of them being in the United Kingdom. The Worshipful Company of Farriers has existed since 1356, with their modern history beginning in 1674. They have set the highest standard of farriery exams in the world and are Internationally respected and revered.

Chris has been competing in horseshoeing contests since 1988. International level contests include both the AFA convention contests and the World Championship Blacksmiths Contest at the Calgary Stampede, where he earned a 6th place finish in 2003. Additionally, Chris has done quite a bit of writing, with articles appearing in Western Horseman, The American Farriers Journal, Loose Shoe, Anvil Magazine, and Rural Heritage to name a few. A collection of articles for The American Farriers Journal have been compiled in a book titled, Better Basics, Better Horseshoeing, which is available from the school. He also served for over 10 years on the Editorial Advisory Board for The American Farriers Journal. Chris was also selected as the American Farriers Association Outstanding Farrier Educator of the year in 2004 and 2008, and was a co-winner of the award with his wife, Kelly, in 2006. In 2008, Chris obtained one of the greatest honors of his career by being inducted into the International Horseshoers’ Hall of Fame at the age of 39.

As a clinician, Chris has done clinics around the world and most states in the US. He judged the first certification for the South African Farrier Association. He also wrote the exams used by the Association of Brazilian Farriers, as well as judged their first certification with Kelly and Cody Gregory. He has been a speaker at the American Farriers’ Association, as well as the International Hoofcare Summit. In 2008, Chris was awarded with the AFA Outstanding Clinician of the Year award.

Academically, Chris holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Development, 2 Bachelor of Arts Degrees, a Minor, and an Associate of Arts Degree. Although college took 5 years, working as a farrier was the perfect way for Chris and Kelly to get through the college years financially.

This school is Chris and Kelly’s dream. In 1991, they moved to Colorado and Chris started a farrier school for someone else, but tired of working for the “other guy”. (Much like the majority of farrier students who are ready to be their own bosses). In 1994, they moved to Missouri with the goal of opening the best horseshoeing school in North America. The result is Heartland Horseshoeing School.

Kelly has been helping Chris with their shoeing business since before their marriage in 1988. She took a 4 year break from the rigors of farriery after college to stay home with their 2 kids, Cody and Jacqueline. Once they moved to Missouri and opened Heartland Horseshoeing School, Kelly became an American Farriers Association Certified Farrier, and began working with Chris full time as an instructor. She has competed in several horseshoeing contests, including the World Championship Blacksmiths Contest in Calgary, and has some buckles on the wall that attest to her competence. In 2006, Kelly was named as a co-winner of the American Farriers Association Outstanding Farrier Educator of the Year award with Chris

Kelly brings another element to the art of education, and is a huge asset to the school. In addition to being an extremely capable horsewoman, Kelly is especially adept at helping beginners understand the practicality of what they are being taught. Kelly attended college on track and cross-country scholarships, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics as well as a Minor and an Associate of Arts Degree.

Kelly is an irreplaceable member of the team that is dedicated to making you one of the best farriers in the industry. Her ability to work on even the most uncooperative horses help to give students confidence and guidance. You will never be asked to do something a HHS that Chris or Kelly would be unwilling to do.

CODY GREGORY

Cody has grown up in the shop, and has always had a strong desire to shoe horses. He has been allowed to work towards his farrier goals since he was 4. As a kid of 6 or 7, he told his dad that he would beat his Certified Journeyman Farrier record, (which was CJF at the age of 22). In 2006, at the age of 14, Cody became the youngest AFA Certified Farrier in the world. The following year, Cody passed the AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier exams 3 months before his 16th birthday, making him the youngest CJF in history by many years. A record that many think will stand for a long time.

Cody has competed in several farrier contests, winning his first buckle in a youth class in Oklahoma at the age of 6. In 2008, he competed in the World Champion Blacksmiths Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 2005, he competed in the novice division of the South African Farriers Association National Championships. He wrote and published his first article in the American Farriers’ Journal in 2008, and has had one of his photos appear on the cover of that magazine as well. Cody was also an examiner at the first certification in Brazil for the Association of Brazilian Farriers.

As a result of his many years of experience, Cody seems to be a natural at forging, shoeing, and farrier theory knowledge. Even though he is quite young, he can often help students learn by showing them that this business is not all about brawn. Good technique can do more than brute force. Cody has a level of maturity that is beyond his years, and many of the past students that he has helped found him to be a huge advantage to their learning process.

Due to his age and other commitments, Cody is not full-time at HHS. When he is able to come in, you will be happy to have the additional instructor. Cody, Kelly and Chris combined bring a total of almost 50 years of farriery experience for you to draw from.