The Who, What and When of a Great Sport
A good way to describe mounted shooting is “barrel racing with guns.” But, instead of just one basic barrel pattern, cowboy mounted shooting has approximately 60 different patterns. Contestants compete in this fast action timed event using two .45 caliber single action revolvers, each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition. The brass cartridge is loaded with black powder only (no lead projectile). This load will break a balloon up to about 15 feet making the event safe for spectators. Riders shoot the first five balloons with one gun, then holster, pulling out the second gun to engage the remaining five balloons. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, CMSA, has several levels of competition ranging from kids, to novice levels, to the seasoned professional.
The new season is just beginning and there are several clubs in the greater Pacific Northwest. For information on a club near you contact CMSA through their website: www.CowboyMountedShooting.com. Contact WWMS at westernwashingtonmountedshooters.com.
2014 Feb-June local and live feed TV events:
Feb 8-9, SW Regionals, Queen Creek, AZ, Watch the live feed at www.cowboymountedshooting.com
Feb 13-16, Colt Winter Championships, Queen Creek, AZ. Watch the live feed.
April 25-27, CMSA Applegate Trail Peacemakers, Winter Shoot #3, Terrebonne, OR
May 9-11, CMSA Columbia Basin Mounted Shooters, Pacific NW Regionals and Oregon State Championships, Hermiston, OR
June 7-8, Western Washington Mounted Shooters, CAP Farms Shoot #1.
Published February 2014 Issue
The Northwest Horse Source is an independently owned and operated print and online magazine for horse owners and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines in the Pacific Northwest. Our contemporary editorial columns are predominantly written by experts in the region, covering the care, training, keeping and enjoyment of horses, with an eye to the specific concerns in our region.
