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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
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Locally based Blackboys, Uckfield farrier, Ben Casserly,
21, and Ricky Hilton, 22, from Westpool, Powys, are the best
young farriers in the world. Official.
They have just won team gold for the UK at EuroSkills
2008, a vocational skills competition for young people, which
took place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Ricky also won
individual gold and Ben individual silver in the event in
which 14 young farriers from seven countries were competing
against each other
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Ben, whose father Andrew is a well-known farrier in and
around East Sussex, is no new-comer to competitions.
The first competition he entered in his own right was the
G.W.Day Competition at Jevington, East Sussex. He was 17.
“My father taught me everything I know,” he
says. “It’s because of his knowledge and training
that I am where I am today.”
Ben, who went to Uckfield College, is currently undertaking
a BA four-year apprenticeship. He takes his Diploma at Myercough
College, Preston, Lancashire in January.
“I should be alright. But you never know,” he
says.
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Why did he decide to become a farrier?
“I used to ride when I was ten,” he says. “It
was a tiny thoroughbred type pony called Lena. She belonged
to a local lady. My father used to shoe it. But gradually
I became more interested in football. I also became more
interested in what was underneath the horse rather than just
sitting on top of it.
“Being a farrier is fantastic. You’re out in
the open all day. You’re always meeting new people.
I like the competitions. I like meeting other farriers.
“The best thing though is seeing horses go well. Whether
it’s an ordinary riding pony or a really classy eventer.
It’s fantastic.”
Ben’s next international competition is the World
Championships which take place during the Calgary Stampede.
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“I’m looking forward to it. It should be fantastic
especially being able to see the stampede as well,” he
says.
His ambition: To be selected as the farrier for the British
team at the 2012 Olympics.
“I might end up as the best in the world,” he says. “But
I know whatever I do I’ll never be as good as my father.” Congratulations,
Ben
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