The competition proper, to be held in conjunction with all the other Horse Expo events on Sunday, April 5, was won by the team which best forged, fit and shod their draft horse within the day. Each team had to forge front shoes and shoe the front feet in the morning, then forge the hind shoes and fit and shoe the horse’s hind feet in the afternoon.

The local team competing for the World Cup included Master Farriers Bruce MacDonald and Jim Bryant, both well known in New Zealand farrier circles. Jim has travelled to Calgary, Canada six times to compete in the heavy horse shoeing competition there, where they have four-man teams. Both will compete throughout New Zealand this year, with events planned for Rotorua, the World Cup at Horse Expo in Helensville, Rangiora, Feilding and in the Waikato.

The World Cup entrants prefer to compete as traditionally as possible, and must handcraft the shoes completely from scratch. It takes approximately an hour to make a shoe from straight steel, fit it correctly and nail it on. 

Coke for the forges was imported from Australia (there is no source for coke, a by-product of gasworks, in NZ). The farriers supply all their own equipment, including the overseas teams bringing their own tools with them. The steel is sourced from Australia, many tools are from Europe and nails/cleats can come from America, Japan, China or Australia. 

The draft horses used were locals, supplied by Paul Stroobant of KK Stud in Inland Road, Helensville. Paul was responsible for the successful Clydesdale Show at the last Horse Expo, and was instrumental in having a Clydesdale ring incorporated in the Helensville A&P Show from 2009.

A photography competition was held in conjunction with Horse Expo. The theme was 'Horse(s) at Work or Play'. Entry was free, with a maximum of 10 entries per person, with judging held the day before Horse Expo with prize money for the top three photos for both adult and junior (16 and under) entrants. Entries must have name, address, phone and whether adult or junior. Maximum print size was 17.5cm x 12.5cm (7"x5").

Horse Expo gates opened at 9am, with the shoeing starting at that time and the first equine demonstration in the main arena at 10am. Entry was just $10 for adults, $5 for school children, and parking was free. Dogs on a leash were welcome.

There was plenty of seating and action throughout the day with participation from many equestrian clubs and organisations covering disciplines and breeds such as hunting, pony club, dressage, miniatures, Clydesdales, carriage driving, and mounted games.

Read the full report from the 2009 Horse Expo.