It’s been a busy summer for two horseshoe lovers from Neerlandia. Alvin and Irene Nanninga have been traveling the province, country, and even the United States to compete in various horseshoe championships.
The Alberta Provincials, which took place in Calgary in June, was a successful event for the couple. Although Alvin didn’t take first place like he did last year, he still claimed second. And with an injured back.
“This year I didn’t win the provincials because I hurt my back a couple days earlier. I still gave them a rough time,” laughed Alvin, who has been pitching for 35 years. “The other two years I won the provincials and the Canadians.”
Irene, who has been interested in horseshoes for 12 years, did claim a first place victory in her division, winning eight of the 10 games she played.
For the third year in a row, Alvin claimed the 30-foot senior Canadian Championship at the 2013 Canadian Championships. The competition was held in Belleville, Ontario this year in the middle of July, with just over 100 competitors.
Out of the 15 games he played, Alvin won 11 of them. He came out with a ringer average of 68.61 per cent.
“It felt good,” said Alvin. “I think it was tougher this year.”
Irene participated in the tournament as well. However she was unhappy with her results, winning three games and losing nine.
“I didn’t play well in the Canadians at all,” she said.
The 2013 World Championships in St. George, Utah at the end of July was a different story.
The Nanningas were just two of over 1,000 horseshoe players at the Worlds tournament, which was quite the change from the Canadians.
Each participant played 16 opponents over the course of three days. Alvin claimed fifth place in the tournament, winning nine games and losing seven. He ended with an average of 59.17.
Irene took sixth place, winning 10 of her games. She ended with an average of 29.83.
Alvin said because there are so many players, the ringer percentage is extremely close. For example, Irene’s percentage was only about a five per cent difference from the champion in her division.
“In Canada here it will be 10-15 per cent difference sometimes because we don’t have enough players,” said Alvin. “Sixth and fifth out of 16 is not too bad.”
This was not the first Worlds competition for Alvin, who participated twice before. It was however a first-time experience for Irene.
“It was great. I really enjoyed it. You have the jitters, that’s exciting,” she laughed. “I wanted to do better of course than placing fifth, but overall was quite happy with how I went over the first time going.”
Alvin and Irene already have plans to participate in the provincials next year, which is always held in Calgary. The 2014 Canadian Championships will also be held in Calgary.
The two have been considering heading to the World Championships as well, which will be in Buffalo, New York in 2014.
Irene said she has high hopes for more participants in the Canadian Championships this year, as there were only just over 100 this year.
“We sure would like to be able to recruit new players. That’s one of our goals,” said Irene. “Hopefully we get a good turnout for the Canadians.”
