Nebraska State Horseshoe Tournament brings Nebraskans together in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Neb. — From Scottsbluff to Omaha, dozens of Nebraskans gathered for the State Horseshoe Tournament in Columbus over the weekend.

The yearly tournament rotates between three sections in Nebraska: Eastern, Central, and Western Nebraska.

Eastern Charter Nebraska Pitching President Seth Limbach said he was raised to pitch horseshoes.

“My dad was actually looking for something fun to do," Limbach said. "He started and his friends were playing a lot. He thought I’d have a good time with it. He brought me out, put a horseshoe in my hand, and I’ve been trying to beat him ever since."

Limbach said the tournament had 90 people sign up for the event but wants to see the sport grow.

“I want to make sure that people know horseshoes is, in fact, a real thing and that it is still popular to this day," Limbach said. "I want them to get involved because that’s what going to keep our game going for years and years to come, is more involvement from people that don’t know about it.”

Some competitors at the event have been to and competed at the World Championships hosted every July.

Before heading back to Lincoln, the tournament was visited by Gov. Jim Pillen who spoke to the pitchers and threw out the first horseshoe of the day.

The tournament will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday with the championship flight taking place over the two day period.

Next year’s tournament will be hosted in Ainsworth and the 2025 location will be decided on during the banquet Saturday night.

Limbach said horseshoes is a game for everyone and is excited to see the sport grow in Nebraska.

“It’s a great sport to get involved in and I know with everybody playing and pitching, you kind of become a family out here," Limbach said. "It’s a real fun time.”