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08/26/2021 12:00 AMKaren Perna has been an impressive contributor in the Deep River Horseshoe League (DRHL) this season. Karen is the Division C player for the Marlins, who are one of the highest scoring teams in the DRHL week in and week out, and Karen’s contributions are a big part the scoring output. Karen is also one-half of the DRHL’s only husband and wife duo along with Reds’ B player Andy Perna.
Just to emphasize how well Karen has been throwing this year; in Week 16 action, Karen tossed a series score of 129 to lead all C players. However, Karen’s 129 also outpaced all B players in Week 16, including Andy Perna’s score of 125, which was tops among all the B’s. Both the Reds and the Marlins are locks for the playoffs after Week 16, and so the Pernas could be on a crash course for postseason destiny.
“We could meet in the finals anything could happen. We both play in the Haddam league and Andy’s team is playing mine on Tuesday in their playoffs,” says Karen. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re looking forward to it. There’s no animosity from either one of us. May the best team win.”
Karen’s progress at pitching shoes has been admirable considering she had never even thrown a horseshoe when she first joined the league with her husband three years ago. Luckily, Karen had the gruff instruction of one of the league’s best players Cris “Cowboy” Christensen, who has sadly since passed away.
“The first year that I played, I was on Cowboy’s team. He tortured me enough that I learned how to play better. He was kind of tough on me, but he taught me a lot. He knew a lot about the sport. You could call him a mentor,” Karen says. “He was good, and his statements still ring true in my head. Whenever I’d be having trouble, he would say, ‘Slow down, and get it up.’ I was playing against Damin Roberts, who was on that team with me, and he was having trouble. So I hollered to him, ‘Slow down and get it up.’ We had a good laugh at that.”
While the instruction of Cristensen had big effect on the early stages of Karen’s career, her recent surge in scoring can be easily attributed to the Pernas’ regular practice schedule. Karen has also teamed up with some quality players on the Marlins in A player Mark Goodale and B player Gerald Hines. Karen finds their support helpful.
“I would say that I’ve more taken my improvement on myself. Mark and Gerry are both really supportive. They are right there to give me encouragement if I’m having a bad day, and there’s no pressure. We really just enjoy playing,” says Karen, who lives in Chester. “Andy and I are home all the time since we’re both retired. We go down to the pits together, usually about three times per week. It’s nice to have that little bit of competition while you’re practicing.”
This year, Karen has found that not all horseshoes are made the same. In the DRHL, a team must use a single set of shoes when throwing. The default is to use the shoes of the Division A player on the team. Most of the league uses a make of horseshoe called Mustangs. Mark Goodale uses A-Mac horseshoes and Karen had to learn to throw a different brand, but it’s working out. Karen even bought her own set of A-Macs.
“I had to get used to new shoes this year, but it’s been going well. I had a hard time getting Mustangs to flip, and these shoes flip much easier for me. It’s probably been a big part of my increasing scores this year,” Karen says. “Unfortunately next year, whatever my A player plays with, I will have to play with that shoe. We’ll see what happens. Most everyone that’s picked up these shoes frown on them right away. They have a different feel than the Mustangs. Most people have one type of shoe that they’re used to.”
While Karen will be at the mercy of the type of shoe her Division-A teammate decides, she will most likely be much closer to rising to that division herself. It is certain that Karen will move into the B Division next season, and with how quickly she is rising through the ranks, Division A can’t be that far behind.
“I’m happy about moving up next year. That’s the goal in any sport; it’s to keep doing better,” Karen says. “I’m happy to move up. Once I’m there, it will make me try harder to get to the top of the heap.”
Karen has really enjoyed the time that she’s played with the DRHL, and wishes that more people would join the ranks. Karen started off pitching a modest score when she first joined the league, but with practice, anyone can get better. Regardless of performance, it’s always a fun night down at pits at the Deep River First Congregational Church Green.
“When we first started, I had never pitched a horseshoe before. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. We had to go throw in front of Frank Jolly, who was the league president at the time,” Karen says. “We had gone down to the pits a couple of times before because I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself. I think I started with an average game of eight. It’s much higher now, thankfully.”
Karen encourages other women to get involved in the sport, but it has been a difficult sell for some reason. The DRHL could use new competitors, and it’s one of the few sports that allow for men and women to compete on the same playing field.
“I think the league can always use more players. We’re always short substitutes. There aren’t a lot of younger players, but there are a few, which is nice to see. I have no idea how to get more women in the league. There are only three of us, now. I talk to a lot of women about it. When I tell them that I throw horseshoes people are usually surprised,” Karen says. “A lot of the guys say that their wives will play in the back yard with them, but they won’t join the league. There’s no reason why women can’t play. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a great night out. Everyone is very welcoming and fantastic, and everyone is trying to be helpful.”