Exciting News for all Horseshoe Pitchers!

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If you are a backyard horseshoe pitcher and occasionally pitch shoes at picnics or family reunions or even a more skillful horseshoe pitcher and would like to pursue your interest in the sport of horseshoe pitching, there is wonderful news for you.  Horseshoe pitchers include children, ages 6 – 18, and men and ladies of all ages.

Most people think of horseshoe pitching as a summer outdoor sport, but that doesn’t apply in Missouri .  In the last 15 years more and more indoor facilities are being built so that horseshoe pitchers can enjoy pitching all year around.  These indoor courts are becoming more popular and can be found in different areas of Missouri .

Some people are unaware of organized horseshoe pitching.  Just as bowling has its association and leagues, so does the sport of horseshoes.  The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) has 13,000 members across the United States , Canada and other countries.  Each state has at least one NHPA Charter.  The Missouri Charter is called the Missouri Horseshoe Pitchers Association (MOPHA).  Missouri has the 2^nd largest membership of any NHPA Charters.  To become a member of the Missouri Charter you must pay a small membership fee.  This enables you to compete on local, state and national levels.  

There are many horseshoe clubs and leagues throughout Missouri .  Finding the league closest to your home is most important for you.  The Quail Ridge Horseshoe Club of St. Charles County is proud to offer you the finest indoor pitching facility that you will probably find in the United States .  A brand new facility has recently opened at the Quail Ridge Park located in the Wentzville area.  It sits high on a hilltop and can be seen from the highway where I-70 and Hwy 40-61 intersects.  The National Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame and Museum is included in the same facility and there is much to see and enjoy about horseshoe pitching.  The building includes 16 indoor courts, fully heated and air conditioned for year round activity.

The Quail Ridge Horseshoe Club (QRHC) will begin its winter season in October.  A mixed league (men, women and children) will begin on October 15.  League play will be held each Monday evening, beginning at 7:00pm .  In order for beginners to compete with experienced horseshoe pitchers, the league play will be based on a handicap system, the same as in the bowling association.  A team shall consist of 4 or more players, however if you do not have a full team, a place will be found for you.  Six games will be pitched per evening.  If you are interested in joining the Mixed League, contact Bob & Rose Diekamp 636-240-6260. The QRHC also offers a Men’s League on Wednesday evenings beginning October 17.  To pitch on this league, contact Rich Altis at 636-394-3640.  If you have further questions call Martin Orf, president of QRHC, at 636-332-3956.

The Quail Ridge Horseshoe Club has over 160 members and is continuously growing in its membership. Some horseshoe pitchers are contented to play in leagues, while others like to compete more seriously in tournament competition.  Tournaments are held monthly at the QRHC and at other facilities.  Each year a State Tournament is held over the Labor Day weekend and Missouri State Champions in the Mens, Women’s, Juniors and Seniors Divisions are declared.  At the national level a World Horseshoe Tournament is held in various places throughout the United States and Canada .  Regardless of where you play, there is a place and a class for you to compete in.  You will find horseshoes to be a family sport and people friendly.  Come visit the new facility and see for yourself what the sport of horseshoes has to offer you.