Cowboy Mounted Shooting
Encyclopedia
Cowboy Mounted Shooting is a competitive equestrian sport regulated by several national organizations such as CMSA, SASS, MSA, etc. that requires the riding of a horse
to negotiate a shooting pattern where targets are engaged with theatrical-stage-blank ammunition that is certified to break a target balloon within twenty feet and not beyond twenty feet. (No bullets are used.)
, a group called the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association was created in the 1990s so that horse people and cowboy action shooters may enjoy the competitive nature of shooting sports while riding horseback
.
s, lever action rifle
s chambered in pistol calibers, and side-by-side double barrel shotgun
s. Single Action Semiautomatic firearms, also known as self-cocking firearms, are also allowed in special military cavalry
and Wild Bunch events (named after the 1969 Western movie of the same name
that used more modern firearms). In general firearms, and their modern manufactured replicas, used in the sport are of the pre-1900 American West and Military eras.
or military cavalry uniforms of any time period or country.
and shooting that is measured in the form of competitive events.
The typical event requires two single action revolvers loaded with five blank-cartridges. Ten targets are arranged in a horseback riding arena
. When the competitor is given a go-signal, indicating the arena is clear of people and hazards, the rider guides his horse across a timer-line and engages the ten targets. When all ten targets are engaged, the rider returns across the timer line and his score is determined and recorded. The raw time of the rider is computed and penalties are added for missed targets or failure to follow the specified course or procedure or knocking over barrels or target stands.
Mounted Shooting also includes events such as Mounted Rifle, Mounted Shotgun, Extreme Cowboy, Team, and Cart Shooting.
11 and under (may choose to shoot if qualified),
12 to 16 Junior boy or girl,
16 plus Mens, Ladies or Senior Mens, Senior Ladies
55 plus Mens, Ladies or Senior Mens, Senior Ladies
A new rider begins at Level 1 and advances up to Level 6 by accumulating winning placements. Like rodeo, Dressage, and many other equine sports as well as car sports, Mounted Shooters are automatically moved into levels of higher and greater competition to maintain equitable and fair events against people of similar proven skills.
In addition to Classes there are combined divisions for greater competition and payout of jackpots, etc. Different governing bodies combine classes to form these divisions.
CMSA Divisions: Limited (Levels 1 and 2), Express (Levels 3 and 4), and Master (Levels 5 and 6). Placement is determined by Level as shown.
MSA lists only: Non-Professional, Semi-Professional, and Professional. A competitors placement in these divisions are based on the Class level as determined by SASS or CMSA. (See the CMSA example given above).
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
to negotiate a shooting pattern where targets are engaged with theatrical-stage-blank ammunition that is certified to break a target balloon within twenty feet and not beyond twenty feet. (No bullets are used.)
History
In the spirit of the soldier and cowboyCowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
, a group called the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association was created in the 1990s so that horse people and cowboy action shooters may enjoy the competitive nature of shooting sports while riding horseback
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
.
Firearms
M.S. requires competitors to use single action revolverRevolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s, lever action rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
s chambered in pistol calibers, and side-by-side double barrel shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
s. Single Action Semiautomatic firearms, also known as self-cocking firearms, are also allowed in special military cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and Wild Bunch events (named after the 1969 Western movie of the same name
The Wild Bunch
The Wild Bunch is a 1969 American Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah about an aging outlaw gang on the Texas-Mexico border, trying to exist in the changing "modern" world of 1913...
that used more modern firearms). In general firearms, and their modern manufactured replicas, used in the sport are of the pre-1900 American West and Military eras.
Costume
Competitors are must wear costumes or clothing of the American west or Classic B-Western MoviesWestern (film)
Western is a 1997 road movie directed by Manuel Poirier. It tells the story of the relationship between a Spanish shoe salesman and a Russian hitchhiker as they drive across the French countryide in search of love.-Cast:* Sergi López - Paco Cazale...
or military cavalry uniforms of any time period or country.
Competition
Mounted Shooting requires skill in both horsemanshipEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
and shooting that is measured in the form of competitive events.
The typical event requires two single action revolvers loaded with five blank-cartridges. Ten targets are arranged in a horseback riding arena
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
. When the competitor is given a go-signal, indicating the arena is clear of people and hazards, the rider guides his horse across a timer-line and engages the ten targets. When all ten targets are engaged, the rider returns across the timer line and his score is determined and recorded. The raw time of the rider is computed and penalties are added for missed targets or failure to follow the specified course or procedure or knocking over barrels or target stands.
Mounted Shooting also includes events such as Mounted Rifle, Mounted Shotgun, Extreme Cowboy, Team, and Cart Shooting.
Scoring
Shooters enter the arena one at a time. Total Score Times are determined by taking the Raw Time for the stage (or course) plus penalties and/or bonuses.Safety
All events, whether for old-west living history, or shooting competitions, etc., are lead under the direction of a certified mounted range officer. Mounted Range Officers must take classes and be knowledgeable of firearm safety, event organization, as well as good horsemanship. The direction of a mounted range officer helps to ensure the safety of the competitor, spectators, and volunteers at all events.Class
For the interest of fair play and to level the field between riders and shooters of different levels. Classes are as followed Senior Mens, Mens, Senior Ladies and Ladies. The classes are further divided by age with their own rules for safety applied. These classes are:11 and under (may choose to shoot if qualified),
12 to 16 Junior boy or girl,
16 plus Mens, Ladies or Senior Mens, Senior Ladies
55 plus Mens, Ladies or Senior Mens, Senior Ladies
A new rider begins at Level 1 and advances up to Level 6 by accumulating winning placements. Like rodeo, Dressage, and many other equine sports as well as car sports, Mounted Shooters are automatically moved into levels of higher and greater competition to maintain equitable and fair events against people of similar proven skills.
In addition to Classes there are combined divisions for greater competition and payout of jackpots, etc. Different governing bodies combine classes to form these divisions.
CMSA Divisions: Limited (Levels 1 and 2), Express (Levels 3 and 4), and Master (Levels 5 and 6). Placement is determined by Level as shown.
MSA lists only: Non-Professional, Semi-Professional, and Professional. A competitors placement in these divisions are based on the Class level as determined by SASS or CMSA. (See the CMSA example given above).
Blank Ammunition and Targets
No bullets are used in the sport. This raises the questions of how targets are struck and includes interest in the safety of the sport. Firearms in general expel a lead bullet from the muzzle of a firearm under pressure from the expanding gasses in the cartridge located in the chamber or cylinder. Mounted shooting uses black powder theatrical blanks with no bullet. These blanks were originally used in movie production and on the theatrical stage so that flame and smoke can be seen from the muzzle of the firearm. This burning powder will break a balloon out to approximately twenty feet.See also
- Historical reenactmentHistorical reenactmentHistorical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
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- Mounted archeryMounted archeryA horse archer, horsed archer, or mounted archer is a cavalryman armed with a bow, able to shoot while riding from horseback. Archery has occasionally been used from the backs of other riding animals...
- CowboyCowboyA cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
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- Wild West ShowsWild West ShowsWild West Shows were traveling vaudeville performances in the United States and Europe. The first and prototypical wild west show was Buffalo Bill's, formed in 1883 and lasting until 1913...
- CavalryCavalryCavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
- Western wearWestern wearWestern wear is a category of men's and women's clothing which derives its unique style from the clothes worn in the 19th-century American West. It ranges from accurate historical reproductions of pioneer, mountain man, Civil War, cowboy and vaquero clothing to the stylized garments popularized by...
- Handgun effectivenessHandgun EffectivenessHandgun effectiveness is a measure of the stopping power of a handgun: its ability to incapacitate a hostile target as quickly and efficiently as possible.-Overview:...
.