Kilncadzow man Sandy Beveridge has been inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame

Kilncadzow farrier Sandy Beveridge is the only Scot to be inducted into the 2011 class of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately Sandy wasn’t able to be at the ceremony but he told the Gazette he was delighted to have picked up such a prestigous award.

He said: “Of course it’s a massive honour for me. What made it more special was that you had to be nominated by someone and your name put forward to the judging panel.

“They told me that there had been 75 nominations and that I was one of 11 people that were chosen.”

Sandy began his apprenticeship in 1980 and earned his diploma into the Worshipful Company of Farriers in 1984.

In the late 1980s he also won a World Championship team event in Canada as well as the individual World Championship, held in England.

These accolades means that Sandy is a man in demand and has travelled all over the world including Canada, America and a trip to Dubai at Sheikh Mahmood’s request.

“Out of 2,500 farriers only 32 have got a Fellowship,” said Sandy. “And because the UK leads the world in farrier training it means that other countries want us to train them.

“The best experience I’ve had was when Sheikh Mahmood invited me out to Dubai to shoe one of his horses for the Dubai World Cup in 1998.

“I was there for five days and it was a great experience. I couldn’t have a bet on the horse though as gambling’s illegal in Dubai!”

For more on this stroy pick up a copy of the Carule and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.