It's time for the Innisfail Horseshoe Club's annual tournament.
Participants from across Alberta will come together for the annual event Aug. 27 and 28 at the Innisfail Horseshoe Courts.
“I think we'll have quite a few people this year,” said Mirna Kissick, president of the club. “We're looking for about 40 participants but we could have more or less.”
Registration can be completed prior to the event or the day of by 9 a.m., said Kissick, noting the 10 a.m. start time for the Alberta Horseshoe Pitchers Association sanctioned tournament. It will include a $25 fee to participate.
Once again this year's tournament will include singles competition on Saturday and doubles on Sunday.
“We're dedicating this tournament to Dick Mountain and we're honouring him,” said Kissick. “He was a very big promoter of horseshoes wherever he went and he was a very active player – he went to the worlds, he went to the Canadians (championship), he went all over and pitched horseshoes and he did very well.
“He won some major tournaments in his pitching career,” she added. “He's a very good sportsman and a gentleman.”
Mountain 94, is a long-time Innisfail resident who now lives in the Rosefield Centre.
“We'd like to have one of his sons open the tournament and throw a (ceremonial) horseshoe,” said Kissick. “I'm hoping someone will step forward because it's in honour of their dad.”
Kissick noted the successful season for the club and the horseshoe league this year.
“We've had a good horseshoe season and our Wednesday night league has been going very well,” said Kissick. “It's a very inexpensive sport and it's very, very good for you. You get lots of exercise by playing horseshoes,” she added, pointing out the social aspects of the game as well.
There are several classes competing in the horseshoe tournament, including a novice class for those new to the sport.
“By next year (novice players) will have a ringer percentage. We put people in classes based on ringer percentages,” explained Kissick. “Most of the top A pitchers will be there and they will be competing in their own class. We will have competitors right down to class E.”
They will also have a 40-foot class for men under 65 years and a 30-foot class for women and men over 65 years of age.
Kissick said the success of the tournament every year is due in part to the local sponsors and partners who pitch in to help. Lunch on Aug. 27 is being catered by the Coffee Cottage and the Town of Innisfail is providing bleachers for seating and an outdoor washroom facility for the event. Sponsors include the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, Harvey Kelps of Red Deer and Overhead Management Group Inc. in Calgary.
The singles competition on Aug. 27 concludes with a buffet banquet at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion beginning at 6 p.m.
“We always have supper at the Legion (on day one of the tournament). It's always a buffet and it's always very good,” said Kissick.
To register or for more information contact Kissick at 403-227-6507.
Mirna Kissick
"We've had a good horseshoe season and our Wednesday night league has been going very well."
