LINK CASEY
President
14093 East Hwy 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
MASTER FARRIER
MASTER EDUCATOR, TESTER
HALL OF FAME 2005
706-397-8047
office
farrierhdq@aol.com
member since 1989
Link has grown up in the horseshoeing world. He traveled across the U.S. with his parents who were actively involved in the BWFA (his father being Ralph Casey, the Executive Director) hosting clinics and conventions. He has grown up around Master Farriers from all over the U.S. and other countries.
Starting at age 13, he spent his summers assisting and gaining his farrier certification. He became the second generation owner and head instructor of Casey & Son Horseshoeing School in Georgia. Link has been teaching the art and science of horseshoeing since 2008, helping to create the next generation of skilled farriers.
Link physically helped build the Farriers' National Research Center which was the first permanent facility to offer continuing education for farriers with more advanced training.
Link was voted Horseshoer of the Year in 2010 from the S.H.O.E. Chapter of the BWFA. He is a member of the Hall of Fame and holds every farrier certification the BWFA has to offer.
The Casey family sold the Casey & Son Horseshoeing School and property in December 2019 and it will continue on its legacy.
TONY PHILLIPS
Georgia
LIFETIME Board Member
MASTER FARRIER
TESTER
HALL OF FAME 1999
BWFA member since 1989
Tony started his shoeing career in 1988 in the Gainesville, Georgia area. He was one of the seven farriers who met in 1989 to form the BWFA and has played an active role in promoting its goal in his business. As a clinician for BWFA clinics & Tester, he has been instrumental in helping to spread education in sound shoeing to both farrier and owner.
Among his accomplishments, he has been awarded Tester of the Year, Appreciation Award and induction into the Farriers Hall of Fame.
Tony passed the knowledge and passion for his trade onto his son. Tony is currently retired and raises World Champion Border Collies. He is still an important contributor to the board in an advisory role.
CHRIS GLOVER
Georgia
MASTER FARRIER
HALL OF FAME 2005
BWFA Member since 1999
After graduating from Casey & Son 18 years ago, I joined the FNRC Board and the BWFA. Each new integrative technique that I have learned through the BWFA conventions and FNRC studies, especially Equine Flexion Therapy has made me a better farrier with more knowledge than just knowing how to tack on a shoe. -Chris Glover
Chris is always learning about new state of the art inventions to improve the quality of his work and services and shares with the board and members alike. We depend on Chris to be on the cutting edge of technology.
LOUIS BISHOP
Alternate
Alabama
Journeyman I
BWFA Member since 2013
"One of my major draws to the BWFA was the knowledge sharing, not just between the farriers, but owners and vets as well. I feel many of us are in this field for the health and wellbeing of the horses and strive to be knowledgeable and up to date on procedures. The next piece of information could be right around the corner, lets grab it and grow together." -Louis "L.C." Bishop
FRANZ ROBINSON
Alternate
North Carolina
Apprentice II
BWFA Member since 2014
Franz is a retired Army veteran after serving our country for 14 years. He holds a certificate in Equine Flexion Therapy. Upon graduation from farrier school he has started his own business and is a full time professional farrier. He continues to improve his skill as a farrier by attending as many continuing education events as possible. His long time military career and acquired knowledge will make him an asset to the organization.
Advisory Board Member
MICHAEL FORMAN
Alabama
Journeyman II
TESTER
HALL OF FAME 2005
BWFA Member since 2000
Michael "Alabama" Foreman has been a farrier, assistant instructor and Tester. He is someone with an easy going nature in helping young people become better farriers. Michael helped build the Farriers' National Research Center and spent tireless hours helping organize and set up clinics and conventions.
RONNEY DEBOARD
Georgia
Master Farrier
TESTER
HALL OF FAME 2010
BWFA Member since 1992
Ronney studied under Elmer Seybold who at one time owned the oldest horseshoeing school in the U.S. He became an excellent instructor at the forge and continues to teach forge classes. He enjoys therapeutic shoeing and takes pride in his work daily.
DANIELA SCHATZ
Alternate
Georgia
JOURNEYMAN I
BWFA Member since 2006
Daniela is a native of Autria and came to the U.S. with her husband. She has an extensive background in horsemanship. This led her to an interest in hoof care. She developed a passion for the farrier trade and attended horseshoeing school to pursue a career in the equine industry.
Her focus on Integrative Horse Care makes her a very innovative and educated horse professional, contributing new ideas and information to an age old trade.
Advisory Board Member
PHIL ROBERSON
North Carolina
Journeyman II
HALL OF FAME - 2005
BWFA Member since 1999
"I would like to be reelected to the BWFA Board. I have served several years and feel I am qualified to continue in an advisory position. My background is in teaching in the public and private sector and I chose this career after 2 retirements. I would like to keep the history of the BWFA and the FNRC alive and well." -Phil Roberson
RALPH CASEY
Executive Director
BWFA Headquarters:
14093 East Hwy 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
LIFETIME Board Member
MASTER FARRIER
MASTER EDUCATOR, TESTER
HALL OF FAME – 1992
(706)397-8047 phone/fax
www.bwfa.net
farrierhdq@aol.com
BWFA member since 1989
After opening his horseshoeing school in 1988, Casey saw a need to offer continuing education for working farriers and more education for horse owners, thus in 1989 he was the founding member of what is known today as the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Assocation. The BWFA, a non-profit trade organization has grown from a handful of 7 farriers at that first meeting to over 8,000 farriers, horse owners, companies, clubs & veterinarians today, making it the largest farrier association in the world.
Casey has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, offering clinics, seminars and meetings for horse owners and farriers. With the goal of “Horse Owner Education” in mind, he has helped increase the number of certified farriers in the BWFA and other farrier associations. In 1992 he founded the 1st BWFA Farrier Research Laboratory in Georgia, where he constructed the Adjustable shoe, the CaseyCam & Track and Soaking Tank to fight hoof diseases. This has spurred three additional labs in the U.S. today. In 1998, Casey and others personally constructed the Farriers’ National Research Center for all farriers and horse owners, something that had never been done before. Then came the Treadmill, Infrared Imaging Cameras, documenting the studies with products from a fast number of vendors in the industry. Casey produced and hosted the first t.v. show all about the farrier trade, trimming and shoeing horses, for the public, Horseshoen’ Time. With this, the popularity of the BWFA and FNRC was recognized worldwide on cable stations, mainly HorseTV out of Texas and RFDTV. With a five year season and travelling all across the country to promote the BWFA. You can still watch segments on YouTube. (as of 2020)