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What is Mounted Shooting?
Mounted Shooting is like barrel racing with balloons in between the
barrels. The rider shoots black powder blank cartridges from
.45 caliber pistols, at balloons, and is scored on accuracy and time.
Are
there clothing requirements?
See
Examples Yes. It is required that you dress
western. You may either dress in traditional western style or you can
dress in the old time style of the late 1800’s.
- Traditional style includes a long sleeve
western shirt, 5 pocket blue jeans covered by chinks or chaps,
western boots, and a cowboy hat.
- If you prefer “rolling back the clock ” to
the late 1800’s try to look as authentic to the period as possible,
by wearing shirts without collars, and high-waisted pants with
buttons, not zippers, and an old style cowboy hat, for example.
Ask
our vendors about clothing.
How about guns?
Mounted Shooters use .45 caliber single action revolvers like those
used in the late 1800’s. Single action revolvers must be cocked each
time before firing by drawing the hammer back. A double action
revolver can be fired by simply pulling the trigger, without cocking
the hammer. Despite the use of double
action revolvers in the Old West, the CMSA limits
our competitions to single action revolvers. Ask
our vendors about guns.
Do
you use live ammunition (lead bullets) or bird shot?
No. The cartridges fired are called .45 caliber Long Colts. The
brass cartridge is loaded with black powder (like that used in the
1800’s). This load will break a balloon up
to about 15 feet. Live rounds are strictly prohibited at
competitions. At each event we have a person to load the rider’s guns
as he or she enters the arena, and a person to unload the guns after
the rider is finished. Riders do not carry loaded guns outside of the
arena or when not competing.
Find
out where to buy CMSA approved blanks.
What
about gun leather?
Riders can buy “off-the-shelf replicas” of the old time gun belts and
holsters. Or, you can have custom-made gun belts and holsters to suit
your wishes. There are several custom “makers” that you can find in
‘old west’ magazines or on our
CMSA
Links page.
Okay,
how about a horse? Are there requirements like breed, or
registration? No. You
can use any horse or mule that you want. Some horses take to this
sport easily, others do not. It is up to your horse’s temperament and
your desire to train him or her to get used to shooting, turning, and
going fast. Some riders will use earplugs for themselves and their
horses. Learn
about training a horse to gunfire.
What about
safety? Safety
in horse training and firearm handling are emphasized at all times.
Many clubs sponsor clinics to assist new shooters in starting their
horses and learn the basics of safe firearm handling. Range masters
are in the arena at all times during competitions to insure safe
riding and shooting is exercised. New shooters are usually required to
demonstrate that they have achieved minimum acceptable levels of
riding and shooting skills.
Is
there a pattern to ride?
Yes. There are 50+
possible patterns. The patterns everyone will ride can be
pre-determined or can be drawn out of a hat on the day of the
competition. A competition may consist of 3 to 6 patterns a day. Each
pattern consists of 10 balloons. To give you an idea of riding a
pattern, let’s say that there are 5 white balloons and 5 red
balloons. The 5 white balloons may be grouped together in one place
or spread out over the entire arena. The rider shoots all 5 white
balloons first. Then, the rider holsters the first gun while riding to
the far end of the arena, draws the second gun, and shoots the 5 red
balloons, which are usually 5 in a row straight towards the finish
line. This is called “the Rundown”.
Are
there levels of skill?
Yes. There is a Men’s Division, a Women’s Division, and a Senior’s
Division, with Classes 1-6 in each of those
divisions. There is also a Wrangler Class for those 11 and under.
All riders start at Class 1. When a rider wins Class 1 twice, they
advance to Class 2, and when they win Class 2 three times, they
advance to Class 3. Four wins at Class 3 and on to Class 4, etc.
There is also a prize for the best score overall where age or gender
does not matter. Mom competes against Dad who competes against the
kids.
Kids?
Do the kids ride and shoot?
Yes... and no. The riders in the Wrangler class ride the same pattern
that the grown-ups do, but they may shoot Hollywood cap pistols,
engaging each target as if they were shooting real blanks. They then
shoot the real McCoy (.45’s with blanks) at balloons, from the ground
while standing stationary with mom or dad at their side.
How
about scoring? The
riders are scored on time and accuracy. There is a 5 second penalty
for each missed balloon, a 5 second penalty for dropping a gun, a 10
second penalty for not running the course correctly and a 60 second
penalty for falling off your horse. Speed is important, however,
accuracy is usually more important than speed. A typical pattern can
be run in 15-35 seconds, so penalties can really hurt.
What
does a Competition Card cost?
Competition Cards in CMSA costs $60 per year for an individual or $90
per year for a family. You
can join online.
Where
can I get more information?
Call or e-mail
the CMSA office (480) 683-0485
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