Horseshoe Madness winners, from left: Jeff Harwell 2nd Silver, Joey Misiazek 1st Gold, Barbara Wise 3rd Bronze
Scott Baker
The game of horseshoes started over 2,000 years ago in ancient Greece. However, the standard set of rules we play today were established in 1881 and have been a sporting event since this time. At the Ranch the horseshoe courts were finally opened this past spring with much fanfare. Horseshoe events have a way of gravitating to the Olympics as fierce competition between opponents is fairly common.
The day started perfect for throwing some shoes; a coolness in the air with a slight breeze in the early morning before the heat of the day set in. The Horseshoe Madness event is a single elimination bracket starting with eight participants vying for the championship. Each participate had a qualifying score, which pitted the highest point person to the lowest point person. As shoes were thrown and sand started to fly the competition started heating up. One by one the winners emerged from each game. The losers turned into a gallery cheering on one of the remaining participants. Before the last two games were played a break was called so the participants could rest a bit and be at their best for the last set of games. Jeff Harwell and Joey Misiazek played for first and second place. Jerry Waynant and Barbara Wise played for third place. After the break the final games commenced as everyone now had their goal in sight. The horseshoes were flying, the sand was spraying, and the posts were ringing with the sounds of shoes landing in the courts. Finally the battles were over, and the winners tried to keep their smiles under control. Joey Misiazek won first place Gold as Jeff Harwell took second Silver and Barbara Wise took third place Bronze.
The first Olympic Madness event was now over with a successful crowning of a Champion. Actually everyone won in this inaugural event as we participated in a great event on a set of courts as used by people for over 2,000 years. What a great way to continue history here at the Ranch.