It might not be the first one that comes to mind, but the wide world of sports includes horseshoe pitching, and this weekend New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.An estimated 350 competitors, supporters, and spectators descended on Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque this weekend for the U.S. Open Horseshoe Tournament. Pitchers came from more than a dozen states including Ohio, Idaho, California, Colorado and of course, New Mexico.”This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with the Albuquerque Sports Commission and the local horseshoe community,” said Dalton Rakestraw, 2nd vice president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the tournament director. “Albuquerque has an incredible venue at Mariposa Basin Park, a passionate local club and a welcoming community that make it an ideal destination for a national-caliber event.”In addition to visiting competitors, local horseshoe stars include Manuel Garcia, an Albuquerque native and New Mexico Horseshoe Club president.Also expected to make his mark is Santonio Callado, who began pitching when he was eight years old and finished second in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. He wants to finish first next time.Concentration is the key to his performance, Callado said.”I keep my mind going, not looking around, because I get kind of sidetracked looking at my Mom or looking at somebody. Then I can’t throw,” Callado said. “But when they’re not in my vision, I start throwing again and I start hitting.”
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
It might not be the first one that comes to mind, but the wide world of sports includes horseshoe pitching, and this weekend New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.
An estimated 350 competitors, supporters, and spectators descended on Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque this weekend for the U.S. Open Horseshoe Tournament. Pitchers came from more than a dozen states including Ohio, Idaho, California, Colorado and of course, New Mexico.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with the Albuquerque Sports Commission and the local horseshoe community,” said Dalton Rakestraw, 2nd vice president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the tournament director. “Albuquerque has an incredible venue at Mariposa Basin Park, a passionate local club and a welcoming community that make it an ideal destination for a national-caliber event.”
In addition to visiting competitors, local horseshoe stars include Manuel Garcia, an Albuquerque native and New Mexico Horseshoe Club president.
Also expected to make his mark is Santonio Callado, who began pitching when he was eight years old and finished second in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. He wants to finish first next time.
Concentration is the key to his performance, Callado said.
“I keep my mind going, not looking around, because I get kind of sidetracked looking at my Mom or looking at somebody. Then I can’t throw,” Callado said. “But when they’re not in my vision, I start throwing again and I start hitting.”
