The Northern Ireland Farriery Association (NIFA), the professional body representing farriers across Northern Ireland, has partnered with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Enniskillen Campus to deliver The Thinking Farrier, an early career development day designed to support farriers in training and those within their first five years of practice.

As reported by the Impartial Reporter, the event welcomed internationally respected farriers Chris Gregory FWCF and Cody Gregory FWCF (Hons.) to Enniskillen Campus, with Cody Gregory leading the programme. The visit followed a landmark achievement for Cody Gregory, who was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers with Honours at the WCF Awards Ceremony in London on 24 June 2026.

The day began with a classroom session encouraging attendees to look beyond routine approaches and develop a deeper understanding of the horse before making farriery decisions. Participants also took part in hands-on demonstrations with horses, guided case work, and interactive sessions aimed at improving decision-making and technical skills in everyday farriery practice.

Laura Smith, programme manager for farriery at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, said: "This event is designed to give early-career farriers the confidence to apply their skills in real-world situations. By learning from an internationally respected farrier like Cody Gregory, participants will gain practical insights and decision-making skills that they can immediately apply in their day-to-day work."

A clear message emerged from both CAFRE and NIFA throughout the day: individuals entering the profession will be supported throughout their development. The event was free to attend for early-career farriers and trainees, reflecting a shared commitment between the association and the college to remove barriers to professional development within the equine and farriery sectors.

The event complements CAFRE's broader professional development infrastructure, including the Farriery Upskilling Programme, a part-time two-year programme combining practical forge training with theoretical learning in equine anatomy, movement, behaviour, welfare, and business management, with participants able to work toward the International Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.

For trade associations in skilled trades and agricultural professions, the NIFA and CAFRE model illustrates how a professional body can extend its member development mandate by co-designing and co-delivering structured learning events in partnership with established educational institutions, creating accessible pathways for early-career professionals without placing the full programme burden on the association alone.