Alvin Jordan, 2005 Defending Champion, begins play in earnest at
Saturday morning's annual Dairy Festival Horseshoe Tournament.

Jordan Defends Title
In 2nd Annual Dairy Festival
Horseshoe Tournament

by: Bobby McDonald

Alvin Jordan walked away with the Championship title in the First Annual Dairy Festival Horseshoe Tournament, held in 2005, and felt he had to be back again this year to defend his "claim to fame." Well, those horseshoe enthusiasts gathered on Saturday morning, beneath overcast skies, at Coleman Park, in Sulphur Springs, and Jordan began his play with "gusto."

Local banker, Don Sapaugh, shows concentration as he takes aim at the stake in Saturday morning's
horseshoe tournament, in an effort to claim the elusive championship title.

Equally ready to play was last year's runner-up, local banker, Don Sapaugh, who lost in the final match against Jordan last year. "I've been practicing all year to give Alvin a 'run for his money,' this year," proclaimed Sapaugh, as he spit in the dirt and carried-out some ritual of blowing on the horseshoe in his hand!

Competition was keen, as the two veteran players began their play and each won rounds to advance them toward the finals. And, they were competing for trophies constructed in the Sulphur Springs High School Vocational Agriculture Shop, by Dairy Festival Queen Alina Tatum, under the direction of Vocational Agriculture Teacher Dan Froneberger. The tropies were horseshoes welded together and the placing was displayed in large numerals, cut from metal and welded to the shoes.

"I'm not looking for another trophy besides that one with the numeral 'one' on it," proclaimed defending champion, Jordan, as he advanced to the final round."I want to take that one home with me.

But, Jordan's opponent was none other than his last year's finalist, Don Sapaugh. It took three matches for Jordan to finally best Sapaugh and lay claim to the championship, this year.

Alvin Jordan, center, once again bested Don Sapaugh in the championship matches, to retain his title
of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Horseshoe Champion. Sapaugh, left, was runner-up for the second
year in a row, and Kelly Wiser, right, won the third place prize in the tournament.

"Alvin played a 'mean' game and deserved to win," exclaimed Sapaugh, as he congratulated Jordan. "But, just wait until next year, the race is on for the 2007 title!"

When the dust settled, it was Alvin Jordan's horseshoes nearest the stake and he retained his
championship title, in the annual contest.

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