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 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.”
The game of horseshoes descended from the ancient Greek
sport of the discus thrower. As the story goes, Greeks developed
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 horseshoe
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
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 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, the game is popular throughout the United States. It’s
estimated that more than 10 million people play horseshoes
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 Tournament
every April. 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 locations,
fees, rules and
regulations, visit
wphpa.com. n
Today, the game is popular throughout the
United States. It’s estimated that more than 10
million people play horseshoes every year.
UPPER ST. CLAIR
❘
FALL 2019
21