Final Approach With Chris Gregory

Cody and I were eating late in a restaurant in the outskirts of London, and we struck up a conversation with the folks at the table next to us. An interesting conversation led to an early morning interview with John Piepenbrink. An Air Force veteran who had an amazing career and got to do some interesting things for America. We sat down in the hotel's executive lounge and had a neat time getting to know John and his story, and you are invited to listen in. We are cleared for takeoff.

Lee is an Irish farrier that shoes show jumpers.  He is the head of the Northern Irish Farrier Association, and has done a lot to bring the industry forward.  Lee was instrumental in bringing Cody and I to Ireland, and we had a great time sitting down with him in his wife's tackroom and hearing his story.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Cody and I made a trip to England and Ireland, and it gave me the chance to spend some time with a lot of old friends and make some new ones. Alwyn is an AWCF farrier and educator, and his wife Erica is the driving force behind Crossan Forge and Farrier Supply in Lisburn, Ireland. They hosted a day of Cody's clinic, showcasing organizing and hospitality skills that are off the charts. Theirs is an inspirational story and we had a lot of fun together. It was a great conversation that you are invited to. We are cleared for...

Butch Whitaker, CJF, is the owner of Oregon Horseshoeing School. He has a great way about him, and we have a good time sitting down and finding out a little about each other's school. Butch is a farrier educator, wrestler, cowboy, sometimes farmworker, and drives a Tesla. This was a great visit. We are cleared for takeoff.

Getting to meet Avi required a special set of circumstances, and it was fantastic to sit down with someone with such an interesting history. Son of Jewish refugees from the work camps in northern Africa, a history in Isreali intelligence, history professor, Messianic Christian missionary, and now running trade school programs in Sweden, Avi has seen some life. He has some great stories and insights, and you are going to enjoy our conversation. We are cleared for takeoff.

Timmy and Elin were two of the four farrier educators from the Lerums Vuxenutbildning school in Sweden that came to the Heartland to see how we teach our students to shoe horses. We had a great time sharing ideas and learning more about their culture, and this conversation gives you a peak into what it means to be a farrier and live in Sweden. Turns out horses have feet all over the world. We are cleared for takeoff.

Dustin Smith has a gift for gab and we have a great conversation with a lot of fun stories and inspirational take aways. You'll be hungry for an Ozark Natural Steak by the time you get done with this one. Sit back and enjoy, we are cleared for takeoff.

Pedro Pechar is one of my great friends from Argentina. He came to the Heartland in 1996, our second year in business. From there, he returned to Argentina and has had a massive influence in the farrier industry. I got to sit down with him at Emilio Gionnotti's amazing place in Sierra de los Padres when Kelly and I were down there doing a clinic and FITS Exam. Let me introduce you to Patagonia Pedro. We are cleared for takeoff.

Andrew DeVisser plays a lot of roles.  Christian, husband, father, farrier, manufacturer, and author, Andrew has a lot of insights and thoughts on living your best life.  This episode has the added advantage of Cody Gregory helping me to bring the story to light, and we have a great coversation.  Thanks for joining us, and I hope you enjoy it.  We are cleared for takeoff.  

Robbie and I first met over two decades ago in the Big Top at the World Champion Blacksmith Competition at the great Calgary Stampede.  We have forged a friendship over our passion for the farrier trade and horses, and it is fantastic to share some of that history with you.  Robbie has overcome more than most, and his story of coming up in the world is inspirational and fantastic.  We also talk about how Robbie looks at a foot for trimming and a tool that he's developed to help that.  Sit back and enjoy, we are cleared for takeoff.

From football to 11B Airborne Ranger to farrier to Long Island cop, Joe Ryan brings a Christian ethic and perspective to the Farrier Blacksmith Course.  I love to interview interesting people, and everyone has a story.  Joe will give you faith in the future and you will be rooting for his success as you listen to this episode that I call "Follow Me".  We are cleared for takeoff.

I've known Alexi for a long time, and I consider him a great friend.  He is sincere, funny, and has a great story.  We had a lot of fun sitting down and talking together and you'll enjoy getting to listen in.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Derek is a farrier that started off in South Africa, built a business in Virginia, and had to leave the US and start over.  This led him and his family on an interesting journey through the deserts of Dubai and the racehorse yards of New Market, UK.  Always the inventor, Derek has found his way back to the US and is still a huge part of the farrier industry, even though he isn't getting under horses anymore.  You're invited to listen in on our conversation.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Lee Olson is an admired businessman in Texas, running a very successful multi-farrier haul-in practice.  A Christian, Father, Husband and Farrier, Lee does a great job of sharing some insights on what it takes to excel.  Sit back and relax, we are cleared for takeoff.

My close friend of almost three decades, Paul Duddy, AWCF, sits down with me as we discuss the lives we've lived, people we've known, and the gift it is to be a farrier.  Paul had a great impact on my young career and I learned a lot of small tricks from him that helped me get better at this great trade.  Paul and I had a great conversation that you are going to enjoy.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Let me introduce you to David Haubein. A natural storyteller that has lived an interesting life. Salesman, farmer, rancher, conservationist, plant builder, and innovator throughout, David shares a lot of insights into the world of modern regenerative farming. I've known David for almost 40 years, and we had a great conversation that I am proud to share with you. We are cleared for takeoff.

Bruce Dance has been an aviator for decades and now makes a living as an Ag Pilot. Years of experience teaching up and coming pilots have given Bruce some insights and methods of teaching that are quite helpful to new pilots. Bruce and I share a great conversation about planes, education, flying, and Christianity. Join us as we are cleared for takeoff.

Cal Noyons and I have been friends and family members for 28 years.  He is an amazing horseman, farrier, USMC combat veteran, but above all, a Christian, agreat husband, father and grandfather.  Cal survived a motorcycle accident in June of 2022 that would have killed most, but he is still here and still the man he's always been.  We have a fun time visiting, and you are going to have a fun time listening in.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Scott Gore is a cowboy who makes his living as a rawhide braider and educator in the cowboy arts of braiding and roping. Scott creates beautiful, durable and functional handmade western items out of the rawhide that he personally processes and produces from fresh hides. It is an ancient and incredible art that has allowed he and his photographer wife, Robin, a chance to travel and teach. Scott is a thoughtful and interesting young man that you are going to enjoy getting to know through this interview. We are cleared for takeoff.

Dr. John Marcotte and I go back to 1995 together, and we have worked with and consulted with each other on a lot of horses over those years. Most of the x-rays that appear in my textbook are taken by Dr. John. He has spent a lifetime helping horses and their owners, and found time to become a helicopter pilot in the mix somehow. He has survived a helicopter crash and over 30 years in a super busy Equine Veterinarian practice in Vinita, Oklahoma. With the current Equine Herpes Virus, EHV, going on, I thought this would be the perfect time...

Kevin Baslee is a man who had a desire to make aviation part of his life, and found a way to do it.  And not just do it at a regular private pilot level, but all the way to Certified Flight Instrument Instructor.  Taking it all the way to the top.  He has an inspirational story and we had a lot of fun talking about planes.  You will enjoy getting to know Kevin Baslee.  We are cleared for take off.

I get to sit down with Tyler Sherrick as we talk about rodeo, cowboying, flying and wrecking planes and moving through life. It is a fun conversation and we hit a lot of points. You are going to enjoy getting to know Tyler Sherrick. We are cleared for takeoff.

What a story. Athlete, cowboy, auctioneer, pilot, cancer survivor, believer... the list goes on. From some incredible heights of athletic and rodeo glory to struggles with addiction, personal tragedies and health issues. Bailey doesn't hold anything back as he tells his remarkable story. His faith in God and love of his family shine through in this inspirational conversation with a man that loves life and I know is here for a reason. The loss of his son, Cash, led to the creation of the Cash Moore Foundation, which has helped a lot of people in need. This episode is...

Dr. Hagen and I have been friends for many years, and have worked farrier clinics and conferences together in Germany, Israel and now Iceland.  She is a brilliant mind in the farrier and veterinarian community with a lot of insights and knowledge about the horse, and in particular, its feet.  Her research has given our trade a lot of information.  We get to sit down behind the scenes of the Icelandic Farrier Conference and you are invited to the conversation.  We are cleared for takeoff.

From a dairy farm in Belgium to the windswept world of Iceland, Geert Cornelis shares his story and how he came to be a full-time farrier in Iceland.  He is the founder of the Icelandic Farrier Conference, and brings international clinicians to Iceland for farriers, vets and horse owners to learn more about our great trade.  Our talk provides a deep dive into the life of a farrier in Iceland, the challenges and rewards of the profession, and Geert's personal journey and contributions to the horse community.  Sit back and enjoy.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Erikk Peterson is a Farrier industry insider and third generation farrier tool manufacturer.  You are going to enjoy getting to know this humble man who still turns on the mills and sweeps the floors, even though he is part of the family that owns and operates Nordic Forge and president of another company called Victory Horseshoes.  Erikk has been around our great industry for his entire life, and he has some interesting insights in how things work.  This was another one that I am proud to bring you.  We are cleared for takeoff.

What a great talk Tim and I had as we got reacquainted.  Tim is a very creative man who has done quite a bit of different things in his career.  Inventiveness led to patents, and the economy has fought back several times, but he keeps moving forward with perseverance and work ethic. The conversation touches on the challenges and rewards of running a business, the importance of family and community, and the current socio-political landscape. Despite numerous setbacks, Tim continues to pursue his passion projects, emphasizing the value of hard work, resilience, and adaptability.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Katie is my niece in law, and is a legitimate cowgirl with a beautiful and hilarious outlook on life. Katie's engaging storytelling highlights her resilience, humor, and passion for family, horses and entrepreneurship. We had a great visit about her near death experience, her life as a ranch wife, mom, and horsewoman. Check out her work at katiegregoryphoto.com. This episode is being brought to you by https://nmre.com

Jerry Marti is a seasoned pilot and serial entrepreneur from Lamar, Missouri. Trained in aviation at Oklahoma State University, Jerry won a national title with his piloting skills. From there he went on to own three McDonalds, a golf course, printing businesses, and many more. He has a great story to tell with a lot of insight. I really enjoyed getting to sit down with Jerry and you are going to enjoy it as well. We are cleared for takeoff.

This is a great episode where Riley talks about how to start and train a horse, and how to bring a young man into adulthood. Riley is a Wyoming raised cowboy with a heart for God and a love of helping men get better in this crazy world we live in. He will inspire you and make you want to do better in everything you do. Sit back and enjoy. We are cleared for takeoff. #heartlanders #horse #ranch

Mitch and I have known each other since the late 90s.  He is a father, grandfather, preacher, pilot, business owner, and cowboy who is kind to all and has a heart to help wherever he sees the need.  Just the sort of great man that you would want in politics.  We have a great talk about this wonderful world we live in.  Thanks for joining me.  We are cleared for takeoff.

In this episode I get to interview an interesting and multifaceted cowboy/game warden, Scott Brown.  Scott shares some of his tricks for starting colts, riding horses, raising kids, surviving a law-enforcement career and navigating this tricky world we live in.  He is a down-to-earth and humble man that has a lot of great stories and insights, and you are going to want to know him better after this interview.  We are cleared for takeoff.

This is an interesting conversation with Mike Norris. Mike is a farrier with over 30 years of experience, having started his career in Colorado at the Colorado School of Trades in 1993 while I was still running that school. His specialty is the long-footed horse, and we get to talk about shoeing in that world. He is colorful character, to put it mildly, and hides nothing as he tells stories of a wild ride through life. Mike hides nothing as he talks about losing his son, scrapes with the law, and dealing with truck-defacing peacocks. This conversation took over two hours...

Bud and Hannah met when they attended Heartland Horseshoeing School, where they return every year to play a part in the lives of the incoming new students.  I sat them down to discuss their paths to becoming farriers, challenges faced, and their future aspirations. Hannah details her transition from a medical secretary in Alaska to becoming a farrier, while Bud shares his experience working on a dairy farm and as an arborist before deciding to pursue farriery. They emphasize the importance of hard work, passion, and good client communication. We talk about their business, injury experiences, and the importance o...

Renowned farrier Jace Ellis shares decades of experiences from his life and career.  He attended horseshoeing school in 1984 and has been shoeing horses ever since. Farriery has allowed Jace to do anything he has ever wanted to do in this life. 

Jace recounts various aspects of his career including his first marriage, his son following in his footsteps, and the challenges of maintaining both personal relationships and business standards over the decades. His insights delve into the technical and business sides of being a farrier, alongside memorable stories of dealing with bad horses and complex shoeing techniques. Be...

I get the honor or introducing you to expert farrier, horseman, pickup-man, and longtime friend, Robert McClaran.  This episode is filled with personal stories, professional insights, and a deep appreciation for the craft and community of farriery.  We talk about the cold plunge routine and its benefits, Robert's experiences with picking up broncs at rodeos, and the profound impact of community and mentorship in his life. The best seat in the house at a rodeo is on a horse in the middle of the arena, but right now, it is wherever you are sitting to enjoy our little visit.  We a...

This episode is about Shearer Wludyka, a Heartlander from Anderson, South Carolina, who attended Heartland Horseshoeing School in 2013. Shearer reflects on her journey, detailing her challenging childhood in foster care and how she pursued higher education, eventually earning a degree in graphic design. Despite working corporate jobs, she found her passion in horseshoeing. Shearer shares her experiences building a successful farrier business, her approach to therapeutic shoeing, and her aspirations to start a horseshoeing school. She emphasizes the importance of hard work, people skills, and ongoing learning in her career. You are going to get a lot out of...

Chris Gregory sits down with his son Cody Gregory, FWCF with honors, to discuss Cody's journey in the industry, their shared history, and insights into successful parenting and goal-setting. They talk about how Cody started as a young farrier, his experiences growing up around horseshoeing, and his journey to achieving his Fellowship with honors from the Worshipful Company of Farriers. The discussion also covers Cody's experiences starting a tool company, improving manufacturing processes, and his approach to homeschooling and raising children. The conversation emphasizes the importance of perseverance, goal-setting, and continuous learning, whether in their craft, personal development, or...

In this episode of 'Final Approach with Chris Gregory,' Chris interviews Ross Zeiger, a technically skilled and knowledgeable guest discovered through YouTube. Ross shares his background, growing up in Washington State, attending the University of Washington, and joining the Marine Corps. He discusses his experiences in flight school, a stint as an Air Support Control Officer, and deployments in Okinawa, Thailand, Philippines, and Korea, where he met his wife. The discussion covers a variety of topics including their stay in Mexico City, his adventurous eating habits, and travel experiences in Nepal. He now runs https://www.descriptmastery.com...

I call this episode The Hoofsmith's Path.  From losing his dad as a toddler and being raised in the city by a single mom to becoming a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers Examiner, Mark Trussler's life reads like a classic heroes journey to get where he is now.  His is an inspirational story of grit and I had a great time getting to know him.  You will too.  We are cleared for takeoff.

Brought to you by:  Heartland Horseshoeing School

I can't believe it's been thirty years.  As a young ma...