New England Hall of Fame
/Ray Charbonneau//
Player/Organizer
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2006
During the early 1970's Ray could be found playing horseshoes with family and friends in his backyard. He would play for hours, at times alone until he was able to connect with some area pitchers and really began to test and improve his skills.

Ray's interest in horseshoes has always been apparent as he always travels with his "shoes". He has traveled all around Vermont participating in almost any tournament he could find, both sanctioned and nonsanctioned. It was during the 1980's that his participation level blossomed. His wife, Gloria began to throw shoes with him, and they began traveling all over the United States playing on vacations, in State tournaments, New England's and the World Championships as well. The many trophies adorning the walls in their basement are only one indication of the success of Ray Charbonneau the horseshoe player.

During the late 1980's Ray and Gloria got involved in the "Milton Horseshoe Club" where they seemingly found their niche. With their assistance the league (the second "Sanction" league in Vermont) has grown and flourished, and to this day continues to produce some of the best pitchers in the state.

Ray has served as the Vermont State President from 1994 to 2002. Ray was the Club/League President and Tournament Director of Milton for many years.

He has participated in four World Tournaments. He won the Class B four times and Class C once in the New England's, but played many years in the Men's Class A - his best was in 2002 with a 69.68% in 4th place.

Ray won the Vermont Class A State Champion in 1992 at "Sodbusters" with a 6-1 63.6% - HG 70.5%. 2nd places - 1990 at "Milton", 6-2; 57.4%; 2001 at "Sodbusters", 7-2-59.13%, 2003 in Bennington, 5-2-60.62%. 3rd places - 1989 at "Sodbusters", 3-2; 58.3%, HG 65.6%. 1995 at "Sodbusters", 5-2; 64.6%; HG 76.7%. 1996 at "Milton", 5-2; 62.4%; HG 68.7%. 1998 at "Sodbusters", 5-2; 58.6%; HG 73.3%, 2002 in Milton, 5-2-67.68%, 2005 at Milton, 4-2-61.56%. His High-Game is 77.5% in 1994 at "Bennington".
Ray was awarded the "Wendell Burnham Award" for dedication to horseshoes in 2004 by the State of Vermont.
It is great pleasure that we welcome Ray into the New England Hall of Fame as a "Player/Organizer