NHPA World Horseshoe Championships - the "Pot of Gold" at the end of the Rainbow

April 3, 2009 - PRLog -- For Joan Elmore of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, the NHPA World Tournament is “the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”  It is the opportunity to showcase your talents, no matter how big or small.

Joan has been pitching horseshoes with the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association for nearly twelve years. In that time, she has won the title of Women’s World Champion twice with back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2007.

She will be competing in the 100th Anniversary of the NHPA’s World Horseshoe Pitching Championships in Springfield, Illinois this summer, in hope to regain the title.

Her 83.98 % ringer average is a good testament to the old adage, “practice makes perfect.” Joan throws anywhere from 200 to 300 practice shoes each day.

Competition is a big part of Joan’s reason for attending the tournament each year, but she also comes to see the many friends she has made throughout the years of pitching.  This event provides the only opportunity so see some of them. She usually stays in the area about 8 days, doing some site-seeing, but mostly concentrating on the task at hand.  

She will be up against stiff competition from all over the United States and Canada.  Last year’s results saw the top thirteen women averaging over 70% ringers for the event, with three in the mid to upper 80’s.  Joan was one of those three with 84.49% ringers in championship play.

The two-week event is held once each summer to crown a World Champion horseshoe pitcher in each of eight divisions – Open Men, Open Women, Senior Men, Senior Women, Short-Distance Men, Junior Boys, Junior Girls and Junior Cadets (9-years old and under).

Pitchers are competing for approximately $170,000 in prize money, trophies and scholarships, as well as the right to call themselves “World Champion.” Over 1200 participants are expected at this year’s event.

The competition is open to all members of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association who have competed in at least four NHPA sanctioned events in the twelve months prior to the May 14th entry deadline. Spectators are welcome for all levels of competition.

If you would like to become a member of the NHPA and try to qualify for this event, visit www.horseshoepitching.com to find contact information for a club near you. For more information on the NHPA World Horseshoe Pitching Championships contact Tina Hawkins, NHPA 2nd Vice President and Publicity/Promotions Director at 580-658-3923 or email tinahawk@msn.com.