by Debby Dyess

Created on: May 28, 2009

A lazy Sunday afternoon, a glass of lemonade and a game of horseshoes - what could be better? It seems like a fine old Southern tradition (at least to us Southerners), but it actually dates back much further than even the beginning of the United States. Amazingly, this game is linked to the ancient Greek game of discus throwing, and to the British game quoit (pronounced "k-waits"), a ring-toss game with similar rules and playing field. While horseshoe historians (yes, there actually are horseshoe historians) have been unable to determine exactly which was adapted to create modern-day horseshoes, the basic idea of this lawn game has been around for centuries.

The official rules of play as outlined by the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (www.horseshoepitching.com/ ) can be found in a long and detailed document. Its eight-pages define rules of play for everyone from junior players to elderly, and divide the playing groups by not only age, but gender. Rules and penalties are also described. If you're interested in beginning an official horseshoe league in your area, or joining an existing one, that's the place to go.

If you want to enjoy a game with family and friends, the rules may be a little less stringently observed. Below are some basics to get you going. Adapt them as needed, depending on the ages and activity level of your family.

1. The dimensions of a horseshoe court are 6' x 46' (for regulation play). The court should be in a level area. It is made up of a center area and pitcher's boxes on either end. The pitcher's boxes are 6' x 6'. They contain the pit (the area where the stake is driven and points for throws awarded) and the throwing area. The dimensions of the pit are 43" x 31" - 72""x 36" (take into consideration yard size, age of family members, etc. when choosing dimensions). The pitcher's box proper surrounds the pit, and is often wooden, or some other material than the pit itself. Because the pit is usually sand, this gives a solid surface from which to pitch shoes. The stake is 15" high and driven into the very center of the pit. The two stakes are set 40' apart (again, for regulation courts). For a diagram and complete court dimensions, visit http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/horseshoepitplan s.html

2. You'll also need four horseshoes and two stakes.

3. Horseshoes is played between two opponents or two teams (two members each). The game ends at a predetermined number of innings (where all horseshoes are thrown), or predetermined point total. Official rules dictate 20 innings for a complete game; adjust to fit your friends and family's attention level.

4. Each player has two horseshoes. Player one (or the first player on team one) pitches both horseshoes at the stake on the opposite end of the court before the second player pitches. The pitcher is not allowed in their pit as they throw; this is a penalty and the thrown horseshoe is not counted.

5. Horseshoes that don't land in the far pit, or are thrown from a penalty area, do not count for scoring. Scoring may be kept in one of two ways: cancellation scoring, in which only the closest shoe scores (and all others are eliminated) or all-count scoring, in which a running total is kept of all shoes that fit scoring criteria.

a. Ringer - the horseshoe encircles the stake completely. Three (3) points.

b. One (1) point is awarded for any shoe that lands within six inches of the stake. 'Leaners' also count as one point.

Horseshoes is a great way to spend a few hours. It encourages physical activity and family time. Now all you need is a lazy Sunday afternoon and a glass of lemonade.

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