Mounted Shooting

What is Mounted Shooting?  

Mounted Shooting is one of the nation’s fastest growing equestrian sports.  Mounted 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.  Course of fire are set in a variety of patterns designed to encourage speed, accuracy and horsemanship.  The first half (five targets) of a course of fire will vary with each go-round and requires the horse and rider to stop, turn, change leads and accelerate rapidly.  The second half (five targets) called the “run down”, is a straight course with targets set at thirty-six foot intervals.

Typically, a competitor crosses the timing beam and engages the first pattern of five targets.  After the shooter fires the fifth shot, he or she returns the empty revolver to the holster, draws the second revolver, rounds the “rundown” barrel and engages the final five targets at full speed.

Scoring is based on elapsed time plus a five second penalty for each missed target or barrel knocked down.  An average course of fire normally takes a contestant 30 to 35 seconds to complete.

 * from CMSA’s home page.

 This is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

How do I get started?

The California Desperado’s offer a New Rider Workshop lead by Victor Penner.  We cover gun safety and handling as it pertains to mounted shooting.  We also hold a sensory training session to get the horses over gun fire and riding a balloon course.  The New Rider Workshop takes About 2.5 hours and you may repeat this as often as you like to build your and your horse’s confidence.  See the California Desperado’s  website for New Rider Workshop schedule.

Cost  $35.00

What’s next ?

This year we are also offering Mounted Shooting Clinics which will cover course strategy from your horses point of view, different types of barrel turns, how to approach gates and offside shots …….

Cost  $150.00 for a one day clinic

To reserve your space or for more information contact victor@victorpenner.com