Sure, I played my fair share of video games as a child (R2, R2, L1, R2, left, down, right, up, two times, and it accesses all of the weapons in Grand Theft Auto III). Despite my love for video games, though, I always had fun playing a game of horseshoes.
It all began during a shopping adventure at Costco, which was offering a deal on summer games. But why did I care? There were video games to look at—although I could never afford to buy them. How could a meager allowance support such a purchase?
My dad had another idea: horseshoes. The kit included four horseshoes, each lettered “A” or “B,” and came with two metal posts.
After my dad bought the kit, we went home, he pummeled the posts into the ground, and, within a few minutes, it was “game on.”
It was a great addition to the backyard; when friends came over, we would play a game. When we had family barbecues, we would play. And when my cat would prowl in the back, I would snatch him and caress him for good luck.
I needed that luck. Even though the old saying about horseshoes lumps them in with hand grenades for how “close” counts, it’s really hard to even get close. The game reminds me of my love life in high school.
Usually, horseshoe games end at 21, with at least a two-point spread between each player or team. As for the method of scoring, each ringer—when the horseshoe has encircled itself around the metal stake—is three points, and a “close” land—when the horseshoe lands within six inches of the stake—is 1 point. The scoring process, however, can be pretty tricky for those who want to adhere to the rules of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association (NHPA).
“The conventional cancellation game between two contestants allows only one contestant to score in an inning,” the NHPA states in its rulebook.
An example of conventional cancellation is when the two players in a game, for example, each toss a ringer in one inning, but the score doesn’t get marked for either player.
Interested? In Santa Maria, there are more places to play horseshoes than just in my backyard.
The most popular location is Waller Park, where it’s not uncommon to hear the jangle of horseshoes as they ring around the metal posts, or, if it’s been a bad toss, the muffled thud of the horseshoe hitting the dirt. For a really bad toss, passersby are treated to the resonant clang of metal colliding against concrete, and can almost feel the embarrassment that ensues.
From the front parking lot at Waller Park, the walk isn’t too far, which is good: There won’t be any complaining about tired arms due to carrying the horseshoes.
Once at the pit, the games begin. Horseshoes is best played with friends, and, if you have a lot of friends, you can have a bit of a tournament since there are four metal posts on each side of the pit.
The great thing about the pit at Waller Park is that there’s a barbecue just a few feet away from the horseshoe arena, so, after burning all of those calories, go ahead and cook some food—just don’t burn that.
Intern Henry Houston’s horse wears sandals. Contact him through Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas at jthomas@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 8-15, 2010.