(Shoshoni, WY)—Tim and Karen James competed in horseshoe pitching at the 2024 World Tournament in Tri-Cities, Washington, earlier this month.
The World Tournament is held before the State Tournament, which is happening in Worland this weekend. According to Tim and Karen’s daughter, Nicole Kelley, they are participating in the State Tournament.
2024 World Tournament
Karen competed in Women’s Senior’s C Class and got 3rd place.
Tim competed in Elders B Class and placed 2nd. His ringer percentage earned him an invite to the Championship as well. The Championship is reserved for the 16 pitchers with the highest ringer percentage in the tournament. Tim placed 11th in the Championship, meaning he is currently recognized as the 11th highest-ranking elder horseshoe pitcher in the world.
This was the fifth World Tournament for both of them.
There were 10 Wyoming pitchers represented in the World Tournament. Tim and Karen were the only local pitchers.
Early years
Tim started pitching when he was a child, shared Nicole. He was pretty into it for many years, and slowed down when he had kids and was working, and took it up again, probably about 15 years ago, and started competing.
Karen started pitching when Tim took it up, she continued. She score kept for a few years and decided she did not want to sit on the sidelines anymore and watch him pitch, so she started pitching herself.
Worland
There are no local horseshoe leagues or clubs for Tim and Karen to join; however, there are some around the state.
They kind of include themselves with the Worland crew, so they feel like they’re going to their home turf for state this year, because it switches around the state each year, Nicole explained.
Younger folks are encouraged to learn more and participate in the competitive world of horseshoe pitching. It’s more than just a backyard game.
Click here to see the results of the World Tournament. Click here to learn more about the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association.