Reliving the Old West

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

 

Have you ever dreamed of riding the trails with Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers, The Duke, The Cartwrights, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, even Billy the Kid, Jesse James or Red Ryder?

Shooting the bad guys, while saving the damsel in distress, stopping a stagecoach holdup or riding in from a dusty cattle drive.

Well now,  you can make that dream happen.

Cowboy mounted shooting is an exciting equestrian sport in which competitors wearing two single action .45 caliber revolvers, race against the clock through a gymkhana type course while firing at balloon targets. This sport requires the ability to control the horse through many turns and speed changes while cocking and firing the revolvers, holstering one when it's empty, and then drawing the other to complete the course of fire.

Revolvers are similar in design to the legendary Colt Peacemaker. They fire black powder blanks, which are capable of popping balloons on poles at about 10-15 feet. There is no bullet, and no live ammo is allowed in the guns or gun belts. Safety is of the utmost importance. Each competitor carries two pistols on his or her gun belt or in a pommel holster mounted on the saddle. Some use one of each. There is no twirling or spinning of guns allowed.

Horses of any breed may be used. But ones temperament is very important. The initial challenge is to acclimate your equestrian partner to the sound of gunfire and balloons on poles blowing in the wind. Two methods are commonly used to accomplish this. The first is to slowly expose the horse to loud noise with cap guns or slapping two 2x4's together. Then move up to a starter pistol with .22 caliber blanks. After you sure they accept this sound, you can move up to the .45 caliber blanks. Some riders uses neoprene or cotton ear plugs made especially for horses. The second method is to use the hoses herd instinct, and place him in an area with calm mounted shooting horses. When the new horse realizes the gunfire is bothering the broke horses, he usually remains calm with them. A horse that neck reins is a big plus, because you will have a revolver in one hand and need to control your horse with the reins and leg cues. Horses that excel in barrel racing, gymkhana, team penning, and roping, tend to do if well in this sport.

Cowboy mounted shooting is a re-enactment of the old west 1880's. Competitors are required to wear clothing consistent with this period or like in the B movies. A lot of these clothes can be found in thrift stores or on the internet through vendors. Tack must be of leather material, no nylon or cordura may be used. All riders must wear boots. Competitors usually create an alias or persona to fit an old western character such as Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, Hopalong Cassidy, The Duke, Union and Rebel soldiers, and others.

 

We have quite a few western characters in our posse: Old Buckaroo, California Girl, Kactus Joe, Buck N Wyld, Frisco Bob, Frisco Girl, Laura Belle Starr, Rootin Tootin Cowboy, Dona Diego, Widowmaker, Mustang Sal, Diablo Di, Ricochet Rog, Concho Kid, Scarlet Shooter, Diablo Di, JD Cowgirl, Expressman, Tenacious Tiffany, Dusty Cobb, Levi Hensel, Lonestar Kid, Bronco Cody, Marv Diamond, Sassy Brown, Pete Hammer, Mustang Bobby, Copper Pony, Doc Cheatham, Gatling Lady, Outlaw Abeline Jack, Scarlet Angel, Johnny Long Knife, Sierra Rose, M.H. Brumley Texas Ranger , Doc On Holiday, Pistol Packin’ Paz, Cherokee Rose, Two Buck Chuck, Rawhide Rich, Old Haywire Marshall, Dragonfly West, Dangerous Di, The Under Taker, Lady Muleskinner, Potlicker Pete, Turnkey Floyd, Lady Roughrider, Duster, Deadeye Joe, Oklahoma Doolin Outlaw, Monsignor Paul Regret, Quickdraw Cowboy, Katie Behind the Bar, Barbwire, Hopalong, Snowy River, Little Chance, Ron Wayne, Kid Concho, and many others.

At large matches, competitors will be competing for ribbons, buckles, and occasionally jackpot type events. There is even a competition for mounted rifle shooting. Riders get to compete in class levels 1-6 for men, women, seniors, juniors, and wranglers (formerly called Pee Wees).

The California Range Riders are members of three national organizations that promote this fast growing sport.

One is SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) another is CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association) and MSA (Mounted Shooters of America). These three organizations put on monthly, regional and world championship matches each year

The California Range Riders Mounted Shooters hold  monthly practices and horse indoctrination clinics several times a month in various locations; Gilroy, La Honda, San Jose, Sacramento, Livermore, Bakersfield, and Ceres.

 

You can contact Old Buckaroo at: 408-710-1616 or email him at: oldbuckaroo7@aol.com  for more info. However, we do travel to a lot of competitions in different areas and practices dates are subject to change. So check our website for updated information and driving directions to our practices at: http://www.CaliforniaRangeRiders.com