Blacksmith contest a hot ticket at Horse Park’s Oktoberfest
By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — Seventeen-year-old Bobby Fine arrived late to the blacksmiths’ challenge Saturday at the Horse Park of New Jersey, but he forged ahead and triumphed.
The New Egypt High School junior and his dad, farrier Bob Fine Jr. had been shoeing horses all day and when they finally made it to the competition the six other blacksmiths participating in the event had already started work. But Bobby’s skill and creativity with a 6-foot piece of steel bar stock proved to be enough to overcome his tardiness.
The blacksmith’s challenge at the Horse Park isn’t the typical farrier-style competition that requires horseshoes to be made within a defined time limit. At Oktoberfest at the Horse Park of New Jersey, the farriers instead were given two hours to use their hammers, anvils and imagination to instead create a decorative metal object consistent with this year’s theme of “Something for the Garden.”
According to Mary Alice Goss, of Freehold, this is the only “forging contest” in the state with a “people’s choice” winner. The blacksmiths’ creations — which included decorative hooks, tools, a breast cancer ribbon rain gauge, a welcome sign, a Celtic cross made out of horseshoes, and Bobby’s winning butterfly — were put on display for festival-goers at Oktoberfest and the crowd voted for the winner.
The contest was sponsored by Across the Anvil East, of Freehold, a farrier supply company that provided the materials.
Bobby said he initially thought he would make metal flowers in the forge, but he was short on time so his dad suggested a butterfly would be quicker. Bobby took baling twine and braided it together to form antennae, then somehow managed to catch his hat on fire while working on his project. The butterfly was still hot from the forge when his two-hour time limit was up.
Much to Bobby’s surprise, his creation received the most votes and he won the $250 top prize and three gift certificates to a chiropractor. The butterfly was later sold at the event’s silent auction for $60.
Although he’s still in high school, Bobby has been assisting his dad shoeing horses since he was 11 years old.
“Six years ago, my dad broke his leg and needed an assistant, so I helped,” Bobby said. Bobby’s been working with his dad every since and plans to attend horseshoeing school after he graduates from New Egypt High School.
When Bobby’s not shoeing horses, he can be found at the New Egypt Fire Company where he also volunteers.
Bob Fine Jr., who also competed in the blacksmiths’ contest, said he couldn’t be prouder that it was his son who took home the top prize.
“He wasn’t expecting to win,” Mr. Fine said. “We saw a lot of good forging. This is a big boost to his confidence.”
The other farriers who participated in the contest were: Joe Lancaster of Red Bank; Mike Heinrich of Point Pleasant; Conny Svennson of Hamilton; Tom Picinich, no hometown available; John “JD” Demarco, of Spring Lake; and Craig Farrell, no hometown available, according to organizers.
HPNJ board member and Oktoberfest coordinator Allyson Jeffery, of Millstone, said the blacksmith’s challenge was the highlight of event, along with Plumsted farrier Reid Totten’s band Something Shining.
“We are so grateful to all who took the time to join us for this wonderful event, participants in the contest, guests, and those who worked so hard to make the evening a huge success,” Ms. Jeffery said.
The contest’s cash prize was privately donated by Christie Kerr, event co-coordinator, and Jane Gilbert, a HPNJ board member, who wanted to show farriers how much their work is appreciated.
Ms. Jeffery said Oktoberfest is meant to be an enjoyable fundraiser for all while raising money for the HPNJ and the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event.
“I think we reached and exceeded that goal based on the feedback we have received from those who attended,” she said.

