The Early Years

Harry Patton spent childhood summers helping his Dutch grandparent's dry farm with work horses and mules in San Jacinto County. He worked as a welder for his father and uncle, and later as a machinist for McDonnell Douglas and the U.S. Army in Italy during WWII. After the war, Harry trained with Jack Hyatt, of Hyatt Horseshoe. Patton shod major quarter horse, hunter-jumper and dressage accounts while managing a roping arena and horseshoe supply store on Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach, CA. He helped young people learn to show, rope, loaned them horses and took them to ropings.

Accomplishments

Harry Patton has twice been elected Vice President of the International Union of Journeyman Horseshoers, (the second oldest union in the United States). He has overseen all testing, training (with an emphasis in aiding hitting horses), and helped and guided 90% of all applicants through their union exams and careers. He served as President of the local Union numerous times. Harry was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame Year 2000 for recognition of distinguished accomplishments, achievements and contributions in advancing the Farrier industry.

Champion Racehorses

For over 30 years, Harry Patton was retained by the top thoroughbred trainers including Calumet's Reggie Cornell, J.S. McCarty's John Canty, Carvers's Joe Dunn and others like Riley Cofer and Lou Carno. He shod Eclipse Award Champions and major stake horses such as Time to Leave, Glorious Song, State Dinner, Jaklin Klugman and tens of thousands of others.