No Horsing Around
The Western PA Horseshoe Pitchers Association takes pride in its
90-year history and welcomes new members.
BY W.B. FRESA
H
orseshoes has 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 Pennsylvania
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.”
Horseshoes descended from the ancient Greek sport discus.
As the story goes, Greeks developed a sport where the discus was
thrown at a stake. But many of the poorer people couldn’t afford the
discus and used cast-off horseshoes instead.
Horseshoes was probably brought to the United States by early
English settlers. 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.
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 traditionally 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 tournament,”
explains Ireland. “Some clubs use the point cancellation system and
others use the first-to-40-points system. Standards regulate the size
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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 percentage. 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 members 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, it’s estimated that more than 10 million people play
horseshoes annually. “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 also hosts the Pennsylvania State Indoor Tournament
every April.
To learn more details about all the clubs in the Western
Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers Association, including locations,
fees, rules and regulations, visit wphpa.com. ■