Dublin TX Highland Games & St. Patrick’s Day Festival

The little town of Dublin TX (Irish Capitol of Texas, so says Rick Perry!) is the site of the Dublin Highland Games. This year we got to throw on Saturday the 17th, St. Patricks Day itself.

Dublin is a small town with a huge heart; the people are out in droves at the parade and fairgrounds. Everything is done up in green, from the painted shamrocks on the intersections, festival signs, streamers and all the fabulous dressed up in their best Irish outfits. Lots of good food, fun and frivolity, and even historical re-enactment!

It was a beautiful day, not too sunny, little wind and no rain; it couldn’t have been a more suitable day for throwing. There was a big class, for the men and masters divisions. The women’s class was 4 throwers, and it was an excellent showing for the ladies.

As always the festival atmosphere at Dublin is great, with a crowd of people always moving in and around the throwers, hooting and hollering for the big throws and everyone loves the caber toss. Dave and Nancy (who also host the Salado Highland Games) do an amazing job and make the day easy and enjoyable.

I was very pleased with my throwing that day, and picked up some good scores as my sheaf is coming together, and my stones are moving in the right direction (i.e. farther away from me!). The best part is always the people, spending a day with the fun Highland games people makes all the travel worth while and enjoying a laugh with everyone is the best part of the day.

The drive home reminded me that Texas is a surprisingly beautiful place.

Texas Scottish Festival - Recap!

Texas Scottish Festival, in Arlington, Texas, boasts three days of throwing, live music, shopping and history for attendants.  Two separate fields at opposite ends of the festival allow crowds to see the the whole festival while visiting throwing events on each end. The main field sits just next to the main music stage, offering up a variety of Celtic music throughout the day and well into the evening.

Throw like a Girl

Here is another blog that I can't wait to read more on! Throw like a Girl

We've competed with Felecia and she is amazing. I'm going to get her to write a guest post for sure (You've just been served F!).

I can feel a clinic coming on this winter!

2011 Women’s Highland Team Challenge - Texas

The Inaugural Women’s Highland Team Challenge is going to be held on Saturday October 15th 2011 in the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex area. It's being held in conjunction with the Celtober Highland Games, the men’s events are on Sunday, October 16th at the same venue. Which is next to the Zoo! If you have not thrown a stone and then heard a lion roar… you are missing out!

Hosted by the North Texas Heavy’s - they are very excited about this event, and hope you can make it! Your entry and waiver must be postmarked by August 15th, 2011; for a copy of the rules and an entry form drop an email to Duncan at (Duncan.mccallum01@gmail.com).

Or you can follow the links for the FORMS and WAIVER.

All the games events will be contested

(Braemar Stone and Open Stone, 14# and 28# WFD, Hammers 12# and 16#, caber, 10# Clevenger Sheaf, and WOB - spinning allowed) as well as some team-oriented challenge events for bragging rights.

NASGA/RMSA rules apply; these are Amateur events and a standard waiver will be required before competing.

The athletes will be put into teams and compete as a team and as individuals.

There are amazing prizes up for offer (sheaf’s, forks and more goodies!), as well as free food from My Fit Foods, all complimented by the great Texas crowd and hospitality. October is also warm (for your northerners!)

There is a Host hotel, The Marriott Courtyard West. It’s down the street from the games venue that is offering rooms for a reduced rate of $85/night. They will also have a free shuttle to the grounds.

This promises to be an amazing event and worth the trip. We ladies here in Texas hope you can come and join us.

Jamie Channel - Women in the Highland Games

Today we have a guest post, written by the very lovely Jamie Channel.
2011 - 8th place at the Arizona Scottish Highland Games World Women's Championship
2010 - 10th North American Overall
2009 - 26th North America Overall

Jamie was kind enough to spend a little bit of time to share her experiences with us in relation to beginning her participating in the Highland Games.

"In 2009, I attended my first Scottish Highland Games in Warrensburg, MO. I had no idea what they were or how they worked. After sitting around watching these men and women throw around heavy things all day, I thought to myself, "I can do this!" And so began my Highland Games career.

I started practicing and a month later competed in my first competition. Luckily, I seemed to have some luck with a few of the events, so I was really encouraged.

Since then, I have been addicted and haven't looked back! Last year I competed in about 12 different games around the four states. I have been an athlete my entire life, but I can honestly say, I have never competed with a better group of people than throwers.

There is a certain camaraderie and friendship that you have with your fellow throwers that isn't commonly found among athletes. The people you beat are the first ones to congratulate you and the people beating you are the first to offer advice.

When it comes to being a female thrower, it is not all about being a huge freak of nature, it really is about technique. You wouldn't be able to tell some of the best ladies in the world are throwers just by looking at them.

It is an amazing sport and I implore anyone who wants to throw, to just get out there and try. That is where to start. Trust me, you WILL fall and you WILL get thrown around at first, but just stick with it. Give the sport a chance!

Thank you Jamie!!!