Presented by BWFA President, Link Casey in Georgia, 4.22.17

Paddy Doyle, Farrier, with words of tribute for his friend and mentor

Sonny Pistilli of PA, a touching and heart felt moment of appreciation

“Hey Bucky” from all of us at the BWFA Headquarters to Bucky Hatfield, our friend and BWFA Hall of Famer out in Texas. Bucky was unable to be with us due to sickness.

BWFA President Link Casey and new Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Pistilli. 

Paddy Doyle with Sonny, friend and farrier.

Sonny with his family and friends from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Colorado who travelled to Georgia for this presentation.  Danny Pistilli, Chris Pistilli, Paddy Doyle, Frank Bevacqua, Jr., Cynthia Pistilli, Michael Pistilli, Anthony Pistilli, Nick Pistilli, Lisa Pistilli, Lukas Delgado, Elli  Pistilli, Knstin Pistilli, Joseph Pistilli and Dan Miller

BWFA Hall of Famers present: (l-r) Dan Marcum, Texas, 2012, Jon Roach, TN 2016, Ronney DeBoard, GA 2011, Link Casey, GA 2005, Sonny Pistilli, PA, 2017, Davey Tucker, SC 2005, Ginger Casey, GA 2005

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA with son Danny Pistilli, Farrier in background. He works with his father every day and is BWFA certified since 2012. “He knows the mechanics of the shoe that shouldn’t be lost over the last 400 years just because shoes are made in China!”

Sonny Pistill, Farrier of PA is an excellent Clinician and provided demonstrations for hand-made shoes. Quick and easy fixes to help shoes stay on. He entertained us with his knowledge and history.

Sonny Pistilli quotes “I make every shoe like it’s the last one I’ll make”

Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician, designed his own hand made “deep seated french shoe jig” to make French Rolled Shoes.

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician Made a “scrib for scribbing in the crease.”

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician made a “set” for setting your nail easier.

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician made a shoe from an old rasp.

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician made a Heart bar shoe out of concave stock.

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician made a hind shoe out of concave stock.

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician talked about how his work is “the same sort of fundamentals that the schools and BWFA teaches.”

BWFA Farriers Hall of Fame 2017 Induction for Sonny Pistilli, Farrier of PA and Clinician suggested the topic for a future BWFA event be “Shoeing for Different Climates, Coast to Coast.”

Friend and past student, Farrier, Dan Miller flew in from Colorado in honor of Sonny’s award. He graduated from his school and joined the BWFA in 2011. He commented, “After my schooling, I apprenticed with Sonny on the east coast before settling in Colorado. Sonny loves the old tradition of handmade shoes and passed that on to me. I went from better feet in Jersey to rock hard Thoroughbreds, Quarters and Arabians out west. I make at least 400 handmade shoes for 100 horses a year.” Dan and his wife Jane are interested in getting more BWFA members together in Colorado with more participation with other members.

BWFA President, Link Casey demonstrating the Thermal Image Camera for visitors