Throughout his life, Kennedy native Stew Lawrence has gone from horses to horseshoes- and has earned a gold medal along the way.
Lawrence-who now lives at Kenosee Lake- recently pitched his way to the podium in August at the Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Championships in Saanich, B.C. The 87-year-old was awarded the gold medal in his division at the national event, which hosted 162 competitors of all ages from across Canada.
Lawrence grew up on a ranch near Kennedy and says that horses-and horseshoes- have always played a part in his life.
“I was born on the place,” he says of the ranch. “We had cattle and horses and later, I raised PMU mares. I really got more into pitching horseshoes when I retired, but I really can't remember exactly when I started. They were always around and when I was younger, horseshoes were always played at country picnics. They were a big thing then.”
Lawrence is modest about his medal-winning avocation and when asked, says he doesn't remember being particularly talented as a horse shoe pitcher as a child, adding he “really got into it once I retired.”
“I joined the Whitewood club more than 10 years ago,” he says. “Even in Kennedy, there were horseshoe pits in the curling rink years ago, but that was before I really got started. But I guess it was always around me, even back then.”
“It's good exercise and it's a good sport,” adds Lawrence. “We practice once a week in Whitewood and it takes a lot of practice. I've got pits here behind the Four Seasons in Kenosee Village. As soon the snow's gone, I'm out there throwing.”
In order to qualify for the national event in B.C., Lawrence had to attend at least four tournaments and amass enough points to make the province's team roster. Throughout the season, he travelled to tournaments throughout the province- at his home club in Whitewood, as well as in Manitou Beach and North Battleford, to name two.
“I went to the Western Classic in Manitou this summer,” says Lawrence. “It was a two-day tournament and there were teams from B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan competing there.”
“I've been to three national tournaments,” he adds. “The first one was in Saskatoon, the second one was in Calgary in 2014 and now, this one in in Saanich, hosted by the Greater Victoria club.”
“In Saskatoon, I didn't do so good. I only came in third or fourth place. In Calgary, I came in second place and with this one, I came in first.”
In Lawrence's age group-the senior division- competitors aged 65 and over must pitch horseshoes a distance of 30 feet.
Lawerence is right-handed and says that beyond his regular practice regime and competition schedule, there are “no special exercises. Some guys wear gloves, but I don't.”
“There are a few rules, though. You can't wear open-toed shoes and going into the national, they weigh your horseshoes.”
“My tournament (horse)shoes are a brand called M & M. I've had them for years. I only take two shoes to tournaments. Some people take a lot more, because even though they're made of iron, they can break. But mine have been hitting the posts so long, I don't worry about it,” he laughs. “And they go in the checked baggage, you can't take them on the plane with you.”
“This year, there were a total of 18 competitors on Team Saskatchewan,” says Lawrence. “We were all ages and on opening day we all wore (Saskatchewan) Roughrider stuff. Green hair, green everything.”
“We brought back three champions from Saskatchewan out of Saanich,” he says. “Another senior from Regina and Colin Finnie, who I call the 'Main Man.' Seniors like me throw 30 feet, but guys like him who are under 65, have to throw 40 feet. He's the 40-foot guy.”
“He's won a lot of titles, but really, for most of us, the competition can go any way. There's talent from all of the provinces. Quebec and B.C. both have pretty strong teams. I remember when I was playing in Calgary, a guy from New Brunswick-I couldn't conquer him. I came second that year. I lost two games and they were both to him.”
“In B.C., the tournament ran from August 16 to 20th,” says Lawrence. “On the first day, I played five games back-to-back, the next day, four games, and on the final day, four games. On the last day- Saturday- we had a banquet and were presented with our medals.”
“It was great to win,” Lawrence says when asked about his trip to the podium. “But the best thing about the game is the people in it. It's a good sport, and you never see bad sportsmanship. You get to know guys from the other provinces and they're all good people.”
“It's a seniors' sport, too. All ages play, but I know a guy from Moosomin who's 95-years-old. He plays in our tournament in Whitewood, so you don't have to quit if you're 90,” he laughs.
“In B.C., our club in Whitewood was approved to host the nationals in 2018. We'll be looking for volunteers,” says Lawrence, adding that it's a good chance to see what the sport is all about.
“I'm really looking forward to that,” he says. “As I said, it's a good sport and I know our club will do a good job of hosting.”
“ All of the time, I've been doing this, I've been enjoying it. Win or lose, I don't really care, but I've got to be in the game.”
