Thursday, April 19, 2007

Triple T Cow Chip Throw

My goodness, it has been awhile since I added to this. Well, I've been busy. I am either promoting quilts or cow chips. The Tilden Library Foundation sponsors the annual "Triple T' Cow Chip Throw during Tilden Prairie Days. This weekend our Women's Champion is traveling to Beaver, Oklahoma to compete in the World's Championship. I'm including the article that appeared in our local papers.
Tilden Winner to Compete in Beaver, Oklahoma below:

Jill (Hansen) Kaps, of Norfolk, NE will travel to Beaver Oklahoma to compete in the World Cow Chip Throw Championship on Saturday, April 21. Kaps became eligible to compete after winning the women’s division of the sanctioned “Triple T” Cowchip Throw held in Tilden, NE during the 2006 Tilden Prairie Days festival. She defeated the seven other contestants with her 75’ throw. According to Kaps, without the encouragement of event coordinator, Dixie Kucera, she probably never would have entered the contest. “I was working for a local radio station at the time and we had a team competing. Dixie told me if I competed individually and won, I would have the chance to go to Oklahoma. I figured I’d give it a shot and somehow I won.” Although Kaps doesn’t think she will walk away the champion, she is ready for the entire experience. “It’s exciting, something that I know I will never forget. I just want to make the city of Tilden and Northeast Nebraska proud.” Kaps also stated that she planned to do some practicing in a local pasture before she makes the trip. Tilden’s local contest is proudly sponsored by The Tilden Library Foundation.

Historically, cow chip throwing developed when Oklahoma settlers discovered that dried buffalo dung burned extremely efficiently. Unfortunately, the buffaloes were nearly extinct so they turned their wagons to the cow pastures. Not quite as efficient and a tad smellier, "cow chips" still saw them through the harsh winters on the prairie. Collecting the chips turned into a sport as the settlers hurled the chips toward the wagon
The basic principles of the competition are similar to the more conventional javelin throw, but any style of throw is allowed. Chips must be at least six inches in diameter and are selected from the official dung truck. They must not be tampered with in any way, as the dung must be flung in its natural state. If the chip breaks apart in mid air, the farthest piece is counted.

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