[PinionTwister]

I believe the clue refers to the letter Q - and therefore the word CUE. As in Pool Cue. The game piece will have two sticks - called cue(s).

Now for the fun part, pick up the cue with your robot, and duel with another robot like a knight in shining armor - jousting style!!

The ringer part is of course curious - perhaps referring to HOW horseshoes is scored rather than horseshoes itself (close counts).

We shall know shortly.