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Long running horseshoe tournament keeps things 'simple and fun'

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The Art Engebretson Horseshoe Tournament was held at Oak Grove Park in Fargo on Sunday. Ben Grundhauser / The Forum

FARGO — The 72nd edition of the Art Engebretson Horseshoe Tournament took place Sunday at Fargo’s Oak Grove Park, bringing together people of all ages.

“It’s a great sport for family,” said North Dakota regional director Jeanine Rodvold. “We’ve had kids from 7 all the way up to 93-year-olds playing in these tournaments.”

Rodvold, who has been regional director since 2011 and an avid horseshoe player herself, says she can thank her friend for her start in the sport.

“She asked me to join her team and I fell in love with the sport,” Rodvold said.

Rodvold admits numbers have slowly declined over the years and says she doesn’t see as many kids around anymore.

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“We have 30 players this year which is down from previous years," she said.

But that hasn’t stopped Joe Martin from showing up for yet another horseshoe tournament.

“This will be my 10th or 12th year at this tournament,” Martin said.

Martin says he first got into the sport back in 1974 after his dad told him to fill a spot on the team.

“After a long military career, I returned to North Dakota and started playing again back in 2000," Martin said.

What Martin enjoys most about the game is the simple, competitive and individualistic nature of the game.

“It’s an individual sport," he said. "So you get as much out of it as you put into it. You are also competing against someone of your own ability, so the games are usually always close and exciting.”

Martin also points out that the sport, compared to others, is relatively inexpensive.

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“You don’t need fancy equipment plus a good pair of horseshoe shoes will last you a long, long time," he said.

A former president of the North Dakota Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Martin says he has made some amazing friendships throughout the years.

“Some of the guys here today I have known for 20 plus years," Martin said. "But we also have younger kids here as well, so the sport encompasses a wide range of ages.”

As Martin points out, this year’s tournament featured players from high school, all the way up to late 70s.

Tanner Mosser is one of those younger players and says his love for the outdoors and sports in general got him interested in horseshoes.

“It’s a very fun sport and has a good atmosphere where you can talk with the players,” Mosser said.

The incoming junior in high school also said it was a great way for him to keep in touch with his grandfather.

“My grandpa always wanted me to play and he always talked about it and with my grandma passing, I figured horseshoe was a great way to stay in touch with him," Mosser said.

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Joe Martin tosses a horseshoe during Sunday's Art Engebretson Horseshoe Tournament at Oak Grove Park in Fargo. Ben Grundhauser / The Forum

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