A Champion Player

written by Kayla Larson
10-19-2003

Ever since I can remember, my grandpa has played horseshoe.  He loved the sport so much that he put a court in his backyard so he could practice whenever he wanted.  Then, as I got older, my dad eventually started throwing with him.  My dad played as a boy, but took a break until just recently.  I later found out that two of my uncles also played horseshoe in a league in Brooklyn Park.  All of this exposure to horseshoe sparked my interest and got me to where I am today.

I was about 7 or 8 when I threw my first horseshoe.  Juniors are supposed to throw from 30 feet, but my grandpa and dad let me stand about 20 feet away since I didn't quite have the strength to throw it 30 feet yet.  I was so excited that I got to throw horseshoes just like my dad and grandpa.  Just getting in the clay area was an accomplishment at that point.  As I got older and stronger, I started moving back.

In 1998, I played in my first horseshoe tournament.  The tournament was in Donnelly, MN.  I played against my sister and two boys from Ortonville.  I'm not sure what place I got, but I do know that I had a great time and beat my sister 37-6.  The Donnelly Tournament was the only one I pitched in during 1998, but in 1999 I played in 8 tournaments including my first State Tournament.  I entered the State Tournament in Junior Class D with a 12.15 ringer percent and finished in 3rd place.  I also received the 1999 Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association Rookie of the Year award at the Awards Banquet, which was held the same weekend.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures!
(L-R) My dad, Al Larson, my sister, Kelsey, me, and my grandpa, Don Larson
It was taken after my sister and I pitched in our first tournament at the Donnelly Threshing Bee.

In 2000, I added 10 more tournaments to my name.  This was my first summer playing on a league.  To make a long story short, the duo of my mom and I managed to come from the bottom and capture the Alexandria Horseshoe League Championship.  This was a very big accomplishment in my book.  At the time, it was probably the most momentous event of my life.  Another first for this year was playing in the World Horseshoe Tournament in Bismarck, ND.  I didn't play that well.  I finished 11 of 16.  It was a really great experience, nevertheless.  I played in the State Tournament again this year, too.  I managed to almost double my ringer percent over the year and entered the 2000 MN State Tournament in Junior Girls Class A with a 24.12 ringer percent and finished in 4th place with a 30.93 ringer percent.

In 2001, my mom and I once again paired up as a team in the Alexandria Horseshoe League and once again captured the Alexandria Horseshoe League Championship.  I pitched in 10 more tournaments throughout the state in 2001, too.  I had 2 highlights in 2001.  I got the opportunity to experience another World Horseshoe Tournament.  This year, the tournament was held in Hibbing, MN.  I wasn't able to pull of any magic on the court once again this year, finishing 11 of 16.  However, I did meet my boyfriend of 2 years now at this tournament.  You never know what prize you might get at a horseshoe tournament!  The State Horseshoe Tournament is the site of my favorite highlight though.  I managed to stay in Junior Girls Class A entering with a 28.88 ringer percent.  I went 5-0 to be crowned the 2001 MN Junior Girls State Champion.  When I was 7 or 8 in the backyard, I never would've dreamt of such a prestigious title.

The last two years, 2002 and 2003, have been pretty quiet with the exception of a couple of things.  Once I got my license and started working, it's been harder to find time for horseshoe tournaments on the weekends.  Both years I continued to play on the Alexandria Horseshoe League, but was teamed up with my boyfriend due to Grandpa's stroke, leaving my dad without a partner.  My mom decided to team up with my dad.  My boyfriend and I finished very near the bottom both years, but enjoyed the socializing every Wednesday night.  In 2002, I only made it to 5 different tournaments.  Of course, I had to go to the State Tournament to try to defend my title.  I managed to go 6-1 finishing with a 49.66 ringer percent to repeat as the Junior Girls State Champion.  I even managed to 3-peat in 2003 at the State Tournament finishing with a 49.64 ringer percent.  Unfortunately, there will not be a 4-peat because this was my last year as a junior and will now have to move up to the Women's Division.  At the 2003 Awards Banquet, I was inducted into the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association Junior Honor Roll Hall of Fame, to out with a bang.

The MGSHPA had a fantastic Junior Director and got the information to my parents and I about a scholarship opportunity available to junior horseshoe pitchers who participate in a sanctioned league.  It is on my bucket list to fill a position that will enable me to motivate and encourage youth to participate in the sport of horseshoes competitively on the national level. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Kayla Larson of Evansville recently was given an award from the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America.  She was named a Sanctioned Club Scholar Pitcher for 1999-2000.  The award reads: "Having shown proficiency in the sport of Horseshoe Pitching while still maintaining the highest standard of scholastic ability.  This Award is Presented with Proud Recognition by the NHPA to this Junior Member for achievements in our sport and the classroom."

I am looking forward to many more accomplishments and awards in the Women's Division.  After such a successful junior career, it will be hard to match my previous accomplishments, but I'm up for the challenge!  Who knew that a backyard game could be so fun, yet competitive?