No doubt there is still smoke in the air over Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, England tonight, but the coal forges are dark, the hammers have gone silent, the horses are loaded and the farriers? Well, they're probably celebrating somewhere, or else on planes and ferries and trains to the 11 nations they call home.
They all have plenty to celebrate, since just getting to compete at the International Team Horseshoeing Championships is a victory, and representing your country is an honor. If you care about scores or the order of finish, this article is for you.
The winner this year was England, with Ireland very close behind and the United States nipping on both their heels. England and Ireland sent teams led by the current and a former world champion and the United States managed to come out ahead of Scotland and Wales, which were also headed by world champions.
In fact, only 6.6 points separated England from the USA, and the USA was 7.3 points ahead of Wales.
A total of 15 points separated the top five teams, while 53 points separated first place from last place.
The finishing order was:
- 1 England
- 2 Ireland
- 3 USA
- 4 Scotland
- 5 Wales
- 6 Canada
- 7 Norway
- 8 France
- 9 British Army
- 10 Belgium
- 11 Holland
- 12 Switzerland
Official results of all the awards will surely be coming this week, but the scores for the team event are interesting, if you like numbers.
While this is strictly a team competition, the team score is a compilation of four individual scores. The highest score within the group was Paul Robinson of Ireland with 101.8, followed by England's Nigel Fennell and reigning world champion Steven Beane, who scored 100.9 and 100.8, respectively, and reigning European champion David Varini for Scotland with 100.0.
Rusty Wells and Ben Mangan of the American Farriers Team both scored 98.8, putting them in dead heat for sixth place with former world champion Grant Moon of Wales. The American Farrier's Association sponsors the team for the USA.
This is at least the third consecutive year that England has won.
The American Farrier's Team was fifth in 2012 and fourth in 2013. Only Josh Stanley from the 2013 team returned this year. The US also opened its point spread over Wales, who were fifth last year, from 6.8 in 2013 to 7.3 this year.
This is at least the third consecutive year that England has won.
The American Farrier's Team was fifth in 2012 and fourth in 2013. Only Josh Stanley from the 2013 team returned this year. The US also opened its point spread over Wales, who were fifth last year, from 6.8 in 2013 to 7.3 this year.
Congratulations to everyone who competed, assisted with or sponsored this event or helped the teams make their trips to England.
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