HORSE-SHOE PITCHING

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26521, 8 September 1951, Page 2

HORSE-SHOE PITCHING

POPULAR PASTIME IN U.S.

WASHINGTON. The ancient game of horse-shoe pitching is played by hundreds of thousands of Americans. Most of these engage in the sport informally at picnics or in their own neighbourhoods. Others take the game more seriously and match their skills for the right to entdr championship contests Amateur player* may enter a national contest sponsored each year by the Amateur Athletic Union. This organisation establishes rules for many amateur sports in the United States. Players interested in becoming professionals compete in State tournaments. The winners are eligible to enter a national contest for professionals, which usually attracts about 90 players. The winners compete for money or valuable prizes. The game is simple to play. The players try to throw the shoes so that they will encircle on iron stakes. The stakes are driven in the ground 40 feet apart and 14 inches above the ground.

In the United States most players use shoes made specially for the game; they are made ih the shape of real horse-shoes but are never worn by horses. Each shoe weighs 2.51 b and its opening is 3.5 Inches wide at the widest point. Some horse-shoe players become highly expert. They delight in dramatic exhibitions of their accuracy. One trick is to ring a stake with a shoe and yet not harm a person who lies behind the stake with his chin resting on top of it. Another trick is to toss a shoe so that it knocks a cigarette out of the mouth of a person standing 40 feet distant. Horse-shoe pitching generally is played as a relaxing pastime. The game is enjoyed by Presidents of the United States as well as by farmers in isolated areas. There is a horse-shoe court at the rear of the White House. President Truman likes to play a game occasionally.