Echo Lake Camp Horseshoe Rules
- Each player pitches both shoes followed by the opponent's two shoes.
- In pitching a shoe, the player may not cross the foul line.
- When playing teams, half the team throws from one stake and
half throws from the other.
- Games can be played to 40 points in a point limit game or 40 shoes in a
shoe limit game. In the shoe limit game the player with the highest
points wins. If a tie exists then each player can take a half win
or a two inning tie breaker can be thrown.
Scoring
- Any shoe must be within one horseshoe-width (measured across the
outside of the open end of the shoe) of the stake to be considered
for points. (Official rules call for 6 inches max).
- The closest shoe to the stake gets 1 point.
- If you have two shoes closer than any of your opponent's, you
get 2 points.
- Ringers are worth 3 points each and must completely encircle the
stake so the ends can be touched with a straight-edge without
touching the stake.
- If you have the closest shoe and a ringer, it's 4 points.
- If your opponent throws a ringer on top of yours, they cancel and
no points are scored.
- Leaners are worth 1 point and are considered closer than any adjacent
shoe except ringers.
History
- It is generally accepted that the game of horeshoes was started
by blacksmiths and ferriers (horse-shoers). Modern gaming
horseshoes bear only a passing resemblance to "real" horseshoes,
since they have grown bigger and heavier to accommodate
pitching by hand.
Further Study
- Visit the website of the
National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America
by clicking their Logo.
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