End Of Trail

Posted on February 28, 2026 by kathousekelli70

Day 1 – Thursday

It’s hot hot hot in the Arizona desert and we were on the late wave starting at 2 pm. Shooting stages 5, 6, 7 & 8 for the start.

Stage 5 – The Rough Rider Saloon

Line is: I’m getting dizzy!

Stage 6 – graveyard rundown

Line is: Are they dead yet?

Start rifle, on to 2 shotgun, run down to finish with pistol.

Stage 7 – Colorado Cattleman’s Association

Line is: I want to make a deposit

Stage 8 – Dodge City Depot

Line is: they’re getting restless!

Continuous Nevada sweep with pistols, move and repeat with rifle, finish with shotgun

We finished the day and headed for the swap meet, couple of drinks, then home to clean and get ready for the next.

Day 2 – Friday

It’s still hot and dry but on the middle wave starting at 11am, slightly more pleasant than the afternoon wave.

It’s also RED shirt Friday – Remember Everyone Deployed. So a sea of red whether it be shirts, tops, skirts or whole outfits from top to bottom, cowboys do it well.

And have to say on Stage 10 Holysmoke Harmon perfectly matched the train also with red blue and gold.

Stage 9 – the cattle race

Line is: load ‘em up!

Stage 10 – Train Depot

Line is: All Aboard!

Stage 11 – Fort Sinclair

Line is: point me to the sawbones

Start on the middle with rifle, got a couple of knockdowns so if you don’t take them down, makeup with shotgun, move to shotgun then into pistol and if needed use shotgun if pistol knockdowns left up.

Stage 12 – Coosies Mercantile

Line is: Got a cigar?

Nice little rundown from rifle to shotgun and across to middle to pistol

That’s day 2 done and it’s one more day of main match to go! Let’s see how it all comes out in the wash tomorrow, where tails of wins, woes, should have’s and could have’s will unfold. we will see.

Had my hat cleaned and reshaped today by the lovely Dugan Hats. It’s been 12 or 14 years – lost shape, got wet, dried out, in the rain etc. used to be flat top with a rolled edge all round.

THIS is what it has been like for many years now.

THIS is the cleaned, reshaped and stiffened version I have now. Slight telescope top, rolled edge at the back with a slight tip at the front.

Bought a few other bits from her also and will take my brown hat tomorrow.

Tonight was Side Match Awards, won Speed 1911 Ladies Traditional. Other speed events, Plainsman, long range and clay events all done this evening, along with a Mexican dinner.

Right now though it’s time for cleaning off the crusty salt and dust and hit the hay.

One more day to round at the match!

Good luck to all for your final match day.

Kat x

M T W…

Posted on February 26, 2026 by kathousekelli70

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – meet the west!

It’s all cowboys, cowgirls, boots, hats, corsets, chaps and so much more! It’s flashy B-Western shirts, rigs that shine with bling, guns sporting colourful grips for that signature look!

Welcome to End of Trail, the World Championships of Cowboy action shooting.

Everyone has their persona, their style and sporting the same cowboy/cowgirl smile and anticipation of shooting and meeting people both new and known.

Monday

A casual start to the match, headed to the range to check out vendors already open and meet up with a few people.

Still trying to get rid of head cold and getting the right stuff for it.

Bit of shopping around.

Tuesday

L.O.C.A.S – Ladies of Cowboy Action Shooting had a mini match this year at End of Trail. 70 odd ladies turned up to shoot 3 stages and a great time was had by all.

Top 3 Ladies – Midwest Hale 1st, Gunslinger Grace 2nd and myself 3rd.

Top 3 Belles – (under 17’s) Sweet K Oss 1st, Freckles Sure Shot 2nd, Calamity Gray 3rd.

The Aussie ladies of LOCAS (missing Lucky Strike Lass) L: Pearl Starr, Kat, Wild Ruby Rose, Sassy Belle, Sister Sarah Carnegie, Ringers Ruby and Clancy

Wild Bunch has been running for 2 days and the Sweet Sixteen was held this afternoon.

Two Australians made the Top 16 for shootoff – congrats to Broken Spur (and it’s his first EOT!!) for the men’s and Sister Sarah Carnegie for the ladies.

Wild Bunch Awards were Tuesday evening and 6 out of 6 Australian’s that competed placed and won buckles!! With none other than Sister Sarah Carnegie being the first Australian lady to win a World Championship in Wild Bunch in the Ladies Classic Modern category! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Mean Mongrel Matt 3rd Traditional, Broken Spur 2nd Modern and 6th overall from 164 shooters, Sister Sarah Carnegie 1st World Champion Ladies Classic Modern, Constable Nelson 2nd Senior Modern, Front: Ringer 5th Senior Modern, Ringers Ruby 4th Ladies Modern

Wednesday

Is warm up day – it’s all about cowboy action shooting from here on in. Well some shopping with the vendors on the side.

Our day started early with a safety briefing before the 8am wave, the sun was coming up and the very almost nothing slight chill to the desert air was about to disappear.

That moment at sunrise before vendors row will be filled with cowboys and cowgirls!

We shot 4 warm up stages in some very reasonable times.

We set out then for speed events – a quick couple runs at shotgun, rifle and pistol before helping out Shooting Fox from Oklahoma on the Speed 1911 side match – had to have crack at seeing if I could still shoot traditional. Couldn’t help myself.

Then it was on for another 4 stages of warm up to round out the afternoon.

Tonight was opening ceremonies, this years End of Trail hosts 45 of the 52 US states, 11 countries being Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Slovakia, United Kingdom and USA.

This year is also the largest junior, buckaroo and buckarette contingent ie: the kids – 32!!

The Class of 2026 saw 30 new Regulators honored.

AND the US National Championship will go back to the Arizona Rough Riders in 2028 and the World Championships will move to Oklahoma and the Territorial Marshals!! A beautiful central location for both sides of the country, outstanding facilities and the best banquet held at the National Cowboy Museum and Hall of Fame! We can only hope it can hold more people because it is one spectacular cowboy be all and end all.

Phew! It’s late, may all your bangs go clang for main match this week if your competing and stay tuned for updates if your not!

Kat x

Fire and Ice

Posted on February 25, 2026 by kathousekelli70

Saturday and Sunday we headed out to Cowtown just a short drive from the Ben Avery Facility.

A lot of work gone into the range since the last time we attended but still very much Cowtown despite the reworks from previous flooding.

Was so good to be back amongst it all and catching up with folks we haven’t seen in a long time.

Saturday started out chilly, needing jacket and gloves but it soon warmed up enough to ditch the jacket.

We had a few issues with shotgun ammo sticking in the chambers which costs seconds to your time but we got it worked out eventually moving into the back half of the day and into Sunday.

I finished with a clean match and first in category. 27th overall from 210 shooters. Jack not so lucky but still managed 5th in category.

Kat, Jack, Marlboro Man, Lucky Strike Lass, Pearl Starr, Charlie Wagon

Thanks to Barbwire and Zona, all the hardworking crew and extras that made Fire and Ice happen! it is always a great pre-start to End of Trail in Aroizona.

Kat x

Shopping Scottsdale

Posted on February 21, 2026 by kathousekelli70

After a nice Longhorn Steakhouse dinner last night and a good nights sleep we eventually awoke to coffee, bacon and eggs!

We headed out to Sportsman’s Warehouse only to find 3 other Aussies in the middle of the store – Trapper, Waco Kid and Savage Sam.

From there we headed to Bass Pro – one of the biggest and most interesting sporting goods stores and displays of taxidermy you could find.

From here it was lunch and on to 2 Indian (motorbike) stores with the first a very opportune meeting with Ian aka J.D. Randall – used to shoot cowboy action and produce copies of leatherwork featured in Gun Digest and other old west gun books. His work is magnificent and he has one tooled holster and belt in the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma.

We walked away with a new bike jacket each and some great stories from Ian.

Rounding out the day with unpack, ironing, checking gear for the weekend and then headed to the Buffalo Chip Saloon for dinner.

Lots of people for the rodeo on a Friday night. This place is really full and different from our very early days of visiting here.

We didn’t stay for the rodeo and mutton bustin’ as it was still a little on the cool side and we have to get ready for the mornings early start.

It doesn’t look bus here but out back and then the next load of people that came in during the next hour it was packed.

Kat, Jack, Clancy, Marlboro Man, Lucky Strike Lass, Charlie Wagon, Pearl Starr and Big Iron Buster

Night ya’ll, see you on the range tomorrow.

Kat x

Wagons West

Posted on February 20, 2026 by kathousekelli70

Moving on from Las Cruces this morning leaving New Mexico and heading into Arizona and Saguaro country.

After a very long stretch of straight road we eventually end up In Mescal but the Film Studio is closed today.

From here we continue into Tucson and Old Tucson Studios for a visit. Also home to many a film setting over the years.

Good cocktails in the Saloon during showtime

We stayed on, watched the stunt guys after the magic show in the Saloon. A great visit, a new Christmas tree decoration and we are now on our way to Scottsdale. Our final destination for the next 10 days.

It’s quite cool today but the weather come the weekend for shooting is set to be spectacular!!

Kat x

West Texas

Posted on February 19, 2026 by kathousekelli70

We arrived into Midland last night after another slight delay on the highway in.

We found La Cheve-Ceria for dinner. Excellent quesadillas and margaritas! A colourful and vibrant place seemingly filled with oil workers. We took a place at the bar and enjoyed the spirit while there. The menu? Other than the ‘Happy Birthday Shot’ at $40, everything else was $4!

Neon sugar skull on the ceiling at end of bar where you walk in.

Some late comers (and we were there only at 9pm) ordered the birthday shots that came out with full Mexican fanfare – lights, whistles, the music went up about another 30 decibels – they sure know how to party!!

Midland is oil and gas through to Odessa and the Pecos. If you’ve watched ‘Landman’ on Paramount then you will already have a good picture of what it looks like. Flat, dry, ground for miles, littered with oil pump jacks and gas fields with their pilot lights offering up a spectacle in the dark of night.

On through Odessa and to Pecos, we made a stop at the Pecos Museum. Pecos is home of the world’s first ever rodeo held 4th July, 1883.

Of course Judge Roy Bean “The Law West of the Pecos” was appointed a Justice of The Peace in 1882 in a desolate area of West Texas. He operated out of his own Saloon, the Jersey Lily so named after his actress wife Lily Langtry. The town of Vinegroon he also renamed – Langtry.

The Museum has a replica version of the Jersey Lily Saloon out back.

The Museum itself is the site of the Orient Saloon. Still with original floorboards, pressed tin ceilings, original bar, saloon tables (including one with shelves for your guns) and much memorabilia original to the saloon and donated from the community.

Oh and of course bullet holes in the North wall from the gunfight where Barney Riggs shot and killed William Earhart and John Denson on October 3rd, 1896.

There were a few more in the main wall also.

While John Denson must have been making a run for the door.

The re-enacted Jesse Heard said “…bullets were flyin’ and bodies were droppin’..”

Animated Jesse Heard at the bar. Original saloon tables including the square card table with gun shelves.

After touring all the rooms of rodeo, US Marshals, football, Golden Girls, house rooms, war and of course the gun room we left to continue our journey.

We are now keeping on West with clear blue skies and strong winds.

Kat x

Exit Stage Right

Posted on February 17, 2026 by kathousekelli70

We should have been heading ‘right’ out of the country Sunday morning 15th Feb only to go through preliminary checks at airport to find our flight to Dallas had been cancelled.

Along with half of our flight we were rehomed at the Alex Perry Hotel and Apartments for the night to return Monday 16th for the next getaway at 5.30pm….ok flight change how about 8.30pm….oh wait no, now changed again and back on flight to LA with the rest of the Queenslanders for 7.40pm.

Ok phase 1 done! We landed in LA and got through our checks and lucky our connecting flight to DFW was delayed as we only had enough time to complete check in and half hour for quick dinner. All good, bums in seats and arrive in Dallas.

DFW a welcoming sight and the most perfect landing!

Now the next hurdle as we had to cancel rental cars and hotels it’s now how to GET a car again….at this time of night (now midnight) most are booked out or almost 3 times the price of what we had booked previously.

Tick….tock

Finally car acquired, and out of airport and Motel for the night, showers in a king bed….3.02am.

Night all!!

Kat x

Quigleys Redemption

Posted on July 20, 2024 by kathousekelli70

A 4.30am start gets us on the road by 5 to head west.

The sun is rising behind us now as we are half way into our journey.

This weekend being a preliminary warm up prior to the Heartland, having not shot for months.

Yes it’s true dear readers (hmm perhaps a bit too much time watching Bridgerton in the Craft room 🤭) too much work and not enough play for Kat.

Jack is still not able to shoot due to broken ribs but we will go and enjoy Quigley’s Redemption, hosted by the Dalby Pistol Club and South West Quarry Gang.

It is a black powder match but they have a ladies only ‘smokeless‘ in conjunction with it.

Looking forward to catch ups and some shooting!!

It’s a cool 4 degrees C 😳 sooo not used to this anymore.

Til later

Kat x

Aus Nats Part 11

Posted on October 27, 2023 by kathousekelli70

It’s the final day, Sunday and like all good cowboys and cowgirls we head to the range for this morning’s shootout!

Where the best of the best go head to head in a final showdown and bit more fun on the range.

You know you can be lucky sometimes….on last stage of warm up match the bottom tab in my rifle broke, caught the piece in my hand when I cleared it at the unloading table. ‘Well that can’t be good’ I exclaimed but Jack got it fixed ready for the main match.

Fast forward to the shootout – Wild Rose and I take off from the middle,

pistols are shot first,

go to rifle….click, nothing happens..re cock the hammer, click…rack it, it must be a dead round,

click on the next one…..rack everything out and move to shotgun. A win for Wild Rose. Firing pin is broken.

Moral of the story? Better today then copping 10 misses for a broken rifle during the main match!!!

Huge congratulations to shootout winners Violet Rose for the ladies and Bat Masterson for the men.

Jack was pleasantly surprised to finish 1st in Elder Statesman category.

Jackaroo 1st, Witchita Willy (l) 2nd and Grizzly Grumps (r) 3rd

Congrats to Sister Sarah Carnegie 1st in Lady Gunfighter!

Kathouse Kelli 2nd, Sister Sarah Carnegie (m) 1st and Miss Taken (r) 3rd

And the 2023 Australian Single Action National Champions – The Terror and Violet Rose – congratulations.

To the Frontier Shooting Club, as everyone has been saying all week and beyond, this truly was a fantastic match that in our minds rivaled shoots we’ve been to in the US. Other clubs here now have a lot to take away from this and make their shoots also something to be talked about.

Well played guys, well played.

Kat xo

Aus Nats Part 10

Posted on October 26, 2023 by kathousekelli70

The final day of main match, time to claw back a bit of yesterdays disasters. it is a much much cooler day, with winds and light drizzle.

Stage 11 – Zee’s Mine

The Pikes Peak Gold Rush – Pikes Peak 1859, there’s gold in them there hills. Buffalo Bill was there with 100,000 other miners who got busy with their claims, for with toil and hardship came great reward. But for some, less fortunate or downright lazy, it was easier to take from others what they had earned….at the end of a gun. Take aim and defend your claim.

Stage 12 – The Cantina

Doc Carver is helping you put the final touches to a new shooting exhibition. This one should draw a crowd and really showcase your skills of speed and accuracy. It’s pretty much done except you just can’t decide how it should begin. Which targets are you going to begin with?

Roll the dice and start line is black or red depending on what you rolled.

Stage 1 – Sheriffs Office

Clay Bustin’ Sharpshooter – it’s try out day and you reckon you’ve got what it takes to be Buffalo Bill’s next sharpshooter. Imagine your name up there with the likes of Frank Butler and even Annie Oakley. This your chance to shine, step on up and show us how it’s done.

And the line is – ‘I’m your next sharpshooter!’

Last stage of the day and the match!

Stage 2 – Town Hall

Perils of the Pony Express – Buffalo Bill recalls his time as a pony express rider as being tough, but the relay station boys had it hard as well. When Indians attacked, they were pretty much alone, outnumbered and surrounded. “We all knew what was expected of us, whatever the weather….and whatever the Indians could throw at us, the mail must go through.”