Myrna Kissick is Innisfail's humble world champion and even though some may think she has more than earned the right to retire with full honours there are no notions of quitting for this queen of the courts.
Kissick, 77, is a champion horseshoe pitcher, having one world championship to her name, five Canadian championships, 14 provincial championships, and is a two-time Alberta Achievement award recipient in 1980 and 1982. She was named to the Canadian Horseshoe Pitcher Hall of Fame in 1996.
As much as she is a certified world-class pitcher who has been able to achieve enviable success, the true joy for Kissick is just being fortunate to be able to play horseshoes day in and day out.
“Even if I wasn't winning, I would still be out there throwing shoes,” said Kissick. “This is a fun game and a great way to stay in shape.”
She pointed out horseshoe pitching gives players a full body workout, and is more difficult than it looks.
“You actually use all of the muscles in your body as you pitch. You stretch your muscles and have to maintain good concentration and conditioning,” added the nearly octogenarian. “As a younger woman, I used to be very active in equestrian circles, being involved with barrel racing in the Caroline area and one thing led to another so I stopped horseback riding.
“I am still also an avid jogger and have run four half marathons,” she added. “One of the most recent was in 2007 when I finished the 9th Annual Woody's RV World Marathon. Now I just run because I like it.”
The Innisfail senior started horseshoeing in 1972 when Innisfail held the first Alberta Summer Games and won a bronze medal in her first competition.
“To be a competitive pitcher, you have to have a pretty good ringer percentage,” said Kissick. “In the past, I have shot as high as 94.4 per cent at the 1996 nationals, but usually hit around 60 per cent.”
She noted her skill is not as good as it used to be after a recent broken wrist.
“This really is a mental game and it does take a lot of concentration to play a long game,” said Kissick. “If you are out of shape, your focus and endurance goes and those shoes can quickly go off of the pin. When my arm was in a cast, my balance was off and that affected my game. “
The Innisfail Horseshoe Club will be starting its league mid-May and plays every Wednesday at 6 p.m. beside the hospital on the 12 courts the club maintains.
“Our club has been in existence since 1987 when the town built the new pool and we got the old site. They provided the material and levelled the ground while the club of between 20 to 30 members provided manpower,” added Kissick.
Presently, the club sits at around 16 members with memberships costing $15 to allow players to compete in events around the province. An Alberta membership grants membership in the Canadian association as well.
“It really is a pretty good deal as the Alberta Horseshoe Pitch Association (AHPA) even provides insurance with the membership,” said Kissick. “Innisfail is part of the Zone 4 association which is part of the larger entity which includes Leduc, Westaskiwin, Lougheed, Red Deer, Innisfail, Ponoka and Bentley.”
The first major horseshoe tournament of the year in the region takes place at Arbutus Hall, close to Rocky Mountain House on May 24. Kissick is in charge of the tournament.
“I like this game, it keeps me active,” added Kissick.
Anyone wanting further information on the Innisfail Horseshoe Club can contact Kissick at 403-227-6507 or Charlie Whatley at 403-227-3939.
