Paul Duddy: Competitor, Judge, Educator - Part 2

In Part 2 Mark Trussler and co-host Jay Tovey interview farrier Paul Duddy about learning through mistakes, asking questions, and the value of clinics and competitions. Paul explains how competitions build confidence and skill for young farriers, shares memories from Calgary and other events (including injuries, disqualifications, speed classes, team wins, and placing top 10), and describes what good judging looks like: seeing past “bling,” prioritising fundamentals like nail fit, levelness, clips, safe trimming, and soundness, and following the judge’s specimen and feedback. He discusses his transition into teaching at CAFRE, the college’s origins as an upskilling route for largely unqualified cold shoers, and current teaching plans to make theory more practical and accessible. Paul also addresses possible Irish legislation and urges farriers to join associations, keep learning, and only enter the trade if they truly love it.