H
orseshoes is a game that’s been played everywhere,
from backyards to custom-made courts, for as long
as we can remember. All it takes is a good eye and a
solid pitch to hit the mark. With these two simple
elements, clubs all around southwestern PA and
beyond have year-round games, tournaments and
championships to name the best horseshoe pitcher
in the land.
Cathy Ireland, current president of the Western Pennsyl-
vania Horseshoe Pitchers Association, can attest to the love
of the sport as she manages eight clubs in the region. “There’s
never a dull moment in any of the clubs,” says Ireland. “Anyone
can learn and it’s open to all ages. Just stop in and sign up. It’s as
easy as that.”
The game of horseshoes descended from the ancient Greek
sport of the discus thrower. As the story goes, Greeks devel-
oped a sport where the discus was thrown at a stake. But many
of the poorer people could not afford the discus so they used
cast-off horseshoes instead.
Horseshoes was probably brought to the United States
by early English settlers. The first World Championships of
horseshoe pitching took place in 1910 in Bronson, Kansas, and
the first horseshoe pitchers organization was also established in
Kansas in 1914, making it the home state of American horse-
shoe pitching.
The Western Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers Association
(WPHPA) was established in 1927. “We have eight nationally
sanctioned clubs including two in the South Hills—H.O.P.E.
in Carnegie, and Dormont Horseshoe Club in Dormont,” says
Ireland. Additional clubs in western PA are located in DuBois,
Erie, Beaver Falls, Mt. Pleasant, New Castle and Warren.
“Of the eight locations, only Beaver Falls has indoor courts,
however Mt. Pleasant, New Castle and Warren have outdoor
courts, and DuBois, Erie and H.O.P.E. have both,” she notes. “It
makes this sport accessible and perfect for year-round fun.”
The game itself is easy to learn. It’s played between two
people, or two teams of two people, using four horseshoes and
two throwing targets or stakes. Players alternate turns tossing
horseshoes at stakes in the ground or pit area, which are tradi-
tionally placed 40 feet apart.
Points are earned two different ways—either by throwing
“ringers” or by throwing the horseshoe nearest to the stake. A
ringer is a horseshoe that has been thrown in such a way as to
completely encircle the stake.
“The way games are scored depends on the league or tourna-
ment,” explains Ireland. “Some clubs use the point cancellation
system and others use the first-to-40-points system. Standards
regulate the size and weight of horseshoes, between two and
three pounds per shoe, and the stake sticks out of the ground at
15 inches high.”
But what Ireland emphasizes are the fun and friendships
made when people join in and start learning the game.
“We have members in the WPHPA between 9 and 90 [years
old],” she says. “Everyone helps each other and teaches them
better techniques and tips for improving their pitching percent-
age. This is what keeps players coming back year after year.”
Ireland has been playing for five years and is lucky to get
advice and encouragement from her husband, Pat. She also
works directly with Cindy Hoffman, WPHPA Vice President
and World Horseshoe Champion.
“Cindy holds the most Pennsylvania Championship titles
and won the World Championship Women’s Class in 2013,”
notes Ireland. “Her current ringer percentage is 72.51. She is
just fantastic and a true lover of the sport. Another standout in
the WPHPA is Kurt von Kliest, Jr. of Warren, who has also won
several Pennsylvania Championships and has a current ringer
percentage of 66.18. Michael Yakemowicz of Glenshaw is the
youngest member of our organization at 9 years old and he
works just as hard to improve his game as our numerous mem-
bers close to 90. We are so thrilled to have our older members
in the WPHPA. They enjoy the game and receive the many
health benefits, like social activity, light cardio, mindfulness and
flexibility. It keeps them strong, active and engaged.”
Today, the game is popular throughout the United States.
It’s estimated that more than 10 million people play horse-
shoes every year. “H.O.P.E. Horseshoe Club on Baldwin Road
in Carnegie will host the Pennsylvania State Championship
Tournament Labor Day weekend. All spectators are welcome
to watch some of Pennsylvania’s best horseshoe pitchers,” says
Ireland.
WPHPA hosts the Pennsylvania State Indoor Tourna-
ment every April. This year’s tournament was at the DuBois
Horseshoe Club, Apr. 27 & 28. Members from across the state
participate in various classes: Juniors, Elders, Mixed, Women’s
Championship and Men’s Championship.
To learn more details about all the clubs in the Western
Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers Association, including loca-
tions, fees, rules and regulations, visit wphpa.com. ■
Today, the game is popular throughout the
United States. It’s estimated that more than 10
million people play horseshoes every year.
CHARTIERS VALLEY ❘
SUMMER 2019
13