May 10, 2007
Horseshoe Canada History
Horseshoe Canada History
Horseshoe pitching has a long tradition in Canada. We've found indications that the game was played as early as the 18th and 19th Century.
But most of the organizations (local, provincial and national levels) were formed in the 1920s. The most complete source of information is no doubt the book titled:
Here are some web links where you'll find some information about the history of horseshoe pitching in Canada:
The first Canadian horseshoe association was formed, under the leadership of Walter Kane, on November 26, 1929 and was named the Dominion of Canada Horseshoe Pitchers Association. That was our first major organizational meeting.
From 1949 to 1952 it was named the Dominion Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Its name was changed to Canadian Horseshoe Pitchers Association in 1953 until November 1966 when a major reorganizational meeting resulted in the creation of a new association: the Canadian National Horseshoe Association, again changed to Canadian National Horseshoe Players Association on November 26, 1967. That meeting gave birth to the Ontario association (O.H.P.A.) as a separate body from the national one. On November 2, 1974, a new but short-lived association was formed: the Canadian Modern Horseshoe Association, headed by George Schummer.
In July 1975, the former title of C.N.H.P.A. continued with Jack Adams as chairman. Finally, on July 14, 1979, Horseshoe Canada Association was formed and is still the governing body for the sport of horseshoe pitching in Canada. That meeting, considered one of the three majors held through the years, saw the adoption of a new Constitution and By-Laws.
The formation of Horseshoe Canada would make the association truly a national body and from then on, the Canadian championships would be held in the East and in the West in alternance every year.
Horseshoe Canada is born
by Ed Murray
Source: 1989 Yearbook
On July 15, 1979, at precisely 8:00 pm in the Coliseum at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Ontario, a very important event happened. This event would change the course of horseshoe pitching for the remainder of this century. For the first time in history provincial associations, which would affiliate with the national association, would be responsible for sending two voting delegates each to the annual meeting of the national body. The provincial associations would decide by majority vote, how the national association would be run, and the Canadian Championships conducted.
A more democratic organization never existed, except maybe the United Nations. It didn’t matter how big or small a province was, they were each given equal vote, guaranteed under a brand new constitution. This was the birth of Horseshoe Canada. The founder was Jack Adams. It had taken him and his asociates five years (1975 to 1979) to draft this new constitution and pull the provinces together into a cohesive force, unifyed from coast to coast. This constitution guaranteed that no one or two provinces would ever dictate to Horseshoe Canada how things were to be done. And no president or small clique could use dictatorial power over the majority.
Except for a few minor amendments, the voting delegates accepted the draft in its entirety. Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada readily accepted it. The constitution would remain virtually the same over the years.
The officers elected were:
President: Jack Adams, Saskatoon, Sask.
Vice-pres.: Merv Lichty, Waterloo, Ont.
Secr.-Treas.: Jean Markle, Hamilton, Ont.
Richard Lebel of Ottawa was appointed official (French-English) translator for Horseshoe Canada, and Edward Murray of Delmas, Sask., as Public Relations Officer and Director of Information.
Here is a list of the 14 representatives and/or officers of various provincial associations who attended the Annual Executive Meeting in Ottawa. Each province was allowed one vote. Chairman - Jack Adams; secr.-treas. - Jean Markle; Stan and Phyllis Dahl of B.C.; Orval Kelts, Red Deer, Alta; Ed Murray, Delmas, Sask.; Ivens and Lil Reddon, Carberry, Man.; Merv Lichty, Waterloo, Ont.; Fernand and Henriette Dutremble, Sorel, Que.; Richard Lebel, Ottawa; Paul Barrette, Noranda, Que.; Gerard Dion, Victoriaville, Que.; Bob Richey, Halifax, N.S.
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