Prince George, B.C.- Nearly 100 of the best horseshoe pitchers in the Province are in Prince George this weekend for the B.C. Championships.  As you watch the games, you will see ringer after ringer and hear clink after clink as the horseshoe hits the stake.

 

“This is the second time Prince George has hosted the Provincial Championships” says Victor Vallee, the Secretary Treasurer of the Prince George Horseshoe Club.  The last time P.G. was host of this event was in  1997, and this is the first time the P.G. club has been able to host the event on the new horseshoe pitches behind the Family Y on Massey.

 

Participants are from all over the province, with some coming from as far as Port Alberni and Campbell  River.

 

“Horseshoes as a game has come a long way from the ‘behind the barn’ event it was a long time ago” says Cheryl deGraaf, Secretary of the B.C. Horseshoes Association, “Next year the world Championship will be held in Louisiana, and the Canadian Championship will be held in Blainesville Quebec.” deGraaf points out that the game has also become popular with the younger set, “We have several divisions, PeeWee, which is under 10, Junior which is 10-18, Mens, Ladies, and Elders, so it isn’t just a game you see older people playing anymore.”

 

The event is also an opportunity to provide some funding for the Association as there are raffle items laid out in a special tent.   One table is set aside strictly for a “Junior’s” raffle with all money from that table going towards the travel costs for Juniors “That way the funding doesn’t conflict with their amateur status” says deGraaf.

 

The finals are set for Sunday afternoon.