It is the season for all spring sports to begin, for professionals and amateurs alike. This time of year is a new beginning, and new things are growing and thriving in the warm sun. We all love spring and the start of warm weather!
This morning while messing around in the office, I had a gentleman show up Named Steve Mikesell. Mr. Mikesell was very kind, and wondered if we at My County Link could help him with promotion of an event that intrigued me. After seeing his flyer and talking to him, it sounded like a really good, and unique idea for young people in Darke County. I had to help!
Mr. Mikesell explained that the Darke County Horseshoe Club was sponsoring a Youth Night to pitch Horseshoes at the Darke County Fair this year. What a novel idea! It will be August 21st, 2025, from 5 pm to 9 pm. All participants will receive a free T-shirt and a free night of fun, and Horseshoes will be provided. One of the things people may not know is about the Ringer Classic held here in Greenville every year. Last year, I talked to many of the pitchers, and they stated that Greenville is their “Super Bowl” and that Greenville is known as “THE HORSESHOE PITCHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!” They really love coming here.
One of the really cool things is that 28-time world champion Alan Francis from Defiance, Ohio, will be there to demonstrate. For anyone who has not seen him, it is worth the watch. His success rate is about 90% for ringers, and watching him demonstrates the athleticism that takes.
So, how will this possibly peak interest for young people to come and see what Horseshoes are all about? Glad you asked!
Alan Francis won his first world Championship in 1989 and has dominated his sport ever since. He is known for his “three-quarter reverse” throwing style. (apparently, it works!) He began throwing at family outings at the age of, get this,12! Sound young? It is, but Sarah Chaffee, who won the 2022 Women’s World Horseshoe Pitching Championship, was only 15 years old! Horseshoe pitching can be fairly lucrative, as the average annual salary is around $75,106 dollars, with top earners averaging $92,000 a year.
If you are a young man or woman who is not interested in the more traditional sports, Horseshoes may be for you. Who would have thought that several years ago, Bowling would be a recognized High School sport? Maybe, Horseshoes will be next, and I think anything that garners interest for young people is great.
We will have more on this as the Fair gets closer, but if you would like a little more information, you may contact Steve Mikesell at (937)-533-5547 to learn about the event and register. You must register by July 1st of this year, so find out about this new event at the Great Darke County Fair this year.
Who knows? There may be a 12-18-year-old male or female World Champion right here in Darke County now…..you never know!
That’s the way I see it……from the sidelines!
