We head out today for a trip to Byhalia, Mississippi. Home to the Mississippi Rangers and the 20th Anniversary of Smokin' Guns at Rabbit Ridge.
Will be a good catch up with lots of friends on a beautiful green grassy range, great facades and a well put together match.
Yee Haa!
Kat xo
Surprise! Go to their website and there is us from the last time!
www.mississippiriverrangers.com
By definition 'a western film made cheaply in Europe by an Italian director'.
The GREAT Spaghetti Western however, was not in Europe but the great state of Texas (Leonard, TX) directed by the Texas Ten Horns.
A neat little range that is slowly growing. Great facades and buildings that allow for shooting under cover should the weather be inclement and a couple of open ranges. Plans are in place for expansion so we look forward to attending this range again!
Only a few hours drive, we arrived Friday finding the motel and the range without any hassle. We checked in and caught up with some cowboy's and cowgirl's, watching some already commence with side matches.
Stages were set simply with a great mix of target shapes and sizes. This was going to be fun!
Jack and I also got to meet these little treasures! We had met their Dad 'Texas Jack Diamondback' and eldest daughter 15yr old 'Darlin Diamondback' up in Thurmont, MD last year. Adding to the Diamondback family is 7yr old twins 'Dixie Diamondback' and 'Dazzlin Diamondback' along with 10yr old 'Daisy Diamondback' they are all just so sweet and I'm looking forward to making the little ones their dresses for End Of Trail. Now if we can just get Mom to shoot!! 😉
Saturday morning with safety briefing, pledge of allegiance and a spectacular rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Chiquita Bandita! Outstanding!
Five stages done by lunch time, everyone is fed, watered and released back into the field for side matches or just catching up. Of course where would we be without 'spaghetti and meatballs' for dinner!! Side match awards were given out also.
Then we caught up with Hawkshaw Fred and Annie D Vine and got to see the riding habit (previous blog post) in all its glory! It's perfect, fits her, length is spot on, I couldn't be happier – best of all was the smile on her face!
Sunday, last chance for another spectacular day with the Ten Horns. Five stages done and dusted! Thank you to our Posse Marshal, Billy Boots who headed up Posse 3 – Big Iron Patnode, C R Hicock, Colorado Jackson, Creek County Kid, Forty Dawg Kid, Highland Scottie, Jackaroo, K D Steel, Kathouse Kelli, Krazy Legs Kay, Lefty Wheeler, Longhandle Slim, Marshal Kidd, Red Knee, Roy's Creek Dan, Sassy Boots, Sharp Shootin' Leroy, Silver Sam and Snake Oil George.
Another spectacular lunch with Tiramisu cake for lunch dessert. O…M…G! Yum!
Raffle drawings and prizes were given away before and during the awards. I didn't get to see a clean match pin but the conchos given for 2nd and 3rd winners and the 1st place champion are a great idea for a change.
Congratulations to all cowboy's and cowgirl's that placed in or won their categories. Creek County Kid and Kathouse Kelli took overall honours for Men's and Ladies. Good work CCK!
Thanks again to the Texas Ten Horns – a great little match! If you didn't get there you missed out and should look to go next year!
'Once Upon A Time In The West'
Kat xo
Texas Ten Horns http://www.texas10horns.org/index.html
Molly's Custom Silver (buckles and conchos) https://www.mollyscustomsilver.com/
Spaghetti Western pic found on Pinterest.
Spaghetti western definition courtesy of Google.
Riding habit that is!
After Land Run (not included in the previous blog) I set to getting a surprise job done for Annie D Vine. Her 1880-1890's riding habit in a Kelly green Melton Wool. Hawkshaw Fred and I had discussed the making of this for Annie's birthday without her knowledge which made me slightly nervous as we had only briefly discussed colour and thrown a couple of pictures her way.
Got the job done though, a full on week, trim hadn't arrived from Ireland and had to order more soutache which really put the pressure on. Not one to back down from a challenge though, it was game on!
The Victorian riding habit is an interesting skirt suited for ladies to ride side saddle and still be involved in the pleasures of equine sports.
A wider right hand side allows the wearer to sit upon their trusty steed and the skirt would drape nicely over their right knee and the saddle horn without revealing any knees or ankles. Keeping decorum to the max!
Once riding exploits have been had, the lady after alighting from her horse, can hitch up the skirt and fasten it in back on a button. This allows her to walk freely without tripping over the excess skirt.
Riding habits (as mentioned in the Truly Victorian pattern) were 'severe' in look and usually had no trim. I did however, find some old photographs of some with the military style braid work, so this is what we went for to add a little character at least.
The surprise worked! It fitted perfectly! Can't wait to see Miss Annie in her riding habit with all the accoutrements.
Maybe I'll see her doing some riding like this? Or not! From what I've briefly read, it took 2 men to get a lady up on her side saddle and there were many injuries and issues with restraining your horse BUT these are true pictures of women jumping their horses side saddle! Incredible.
Kat xo
I saw a picture on Facebook that said, “it's not a shooting range, it's a 2nd amendment theme park!” or words to that affect.
When you are involved in a shooting sport and especially one like Cowboy Action, that's what it does feel like! It's always amusing, we are always having fun, you gotta line up, there's rules and safety requirements and probably the only thing missing is height limitations!
Last weekend we headed to Red Castle and played up there, weather was sensational, with hints that summer is on its way.
Whilst neither of us shot particularly well that day, it's still a chance to test yourself, hone your skills and workout any issues – so it's not all about shooting clean all the time. 😉
Today we went to play with the 1911's. Not a full Wild Bunch practice but the pistol is what I need work with anyway and that's the point. Practice on where your weakness is to improve your overall match. (Hope you're paying attention!?) 😉
It was a little on the cool side after the cold front came through the night before but that's okay, hand warmers, gloves, extra layers – it's all good! Any day shooting is a good day – rain, snow or shine! Especially with the Territorial Marshal's as they are lucky enough to have facades that you can close up to the weather and run heaters should we require it! Feel pretty damn lucky to have the opportunity to call this a 'home' club when we are over here.
So from our theme park, to yours, whatever keeps you amused or wherever you may be, go get 'em pilgrim. (that last part was in my best John Wayne voice……in my head anyway lol!)
Kat xo
The last few weeks a posse of Territorial Marshal's spent time sprucing up the range, getting targets straightened and new ones made, new buildings and decking done, trees trimmed and so much more.
Land Run was coming and everything has to be right for the 300 odd shooters that would come to the Indian territory for one of the country's best SASS shoots.
The pre-shooting posse – our match directors and dedicated helpers shot the weekend before with glorious weather one day and a thick fog the next. Thankfully they didn't have to shoot in rain.
As the wind came sweeping 'cross the plains and with it the horsepower (of a different variety) carrying shooters from afar, so did the spectacular weather for the match.
Thursday, side match day and the ranges are a buzz with people catching up, chatting, hugging, laughing and that ever sweet sound of lead on steel.
Friday after opening ceremonies, 12 posses headed to their designated start stage. At the end of 6 stages I was clean and Jack had had 1 miss. There was a one in, all in shootout with new shooter Gabby Gertie shooting clean to take the title!!! Yay Gabby! A brisket dinner ensued and the. It was home for rest and an even earlier start on Saturday.
Our posse this time was fabulous, although we did miss Wild Horse John not being able to be here with us. We had Angus Red, Asa Smith, Bronco Lumpy, Cal Cogburn, Captain Lee, Copperhead Carson, G Rowdy Hook, Gin Dee, Insanity Jane, Jackaroo, K.C. Ranger, Kathouse Kelli, Kylie Coyote, Loco Vaquero, Moonshine, Prairie Drifter, Rusty Dove, Sally Ranger, Silver, Stonewall, Trent, and Vallian.
Saturday and it's the final chance to make or break! 6 stages complete, clean for me with a rifle reload and round the world on pistol. Happy days! Jack had a mishap 'P' and a miss to add insult to injury. He did have a great match otherwise.
Saturday night would be the tell tale of all. The foyer of my most favourite museum, the National Cowboy and Hall of Fame Museum has a bar set up and the costume judging was underway in a far corner. Once the doors opened at 6 we all headed in to sit down for dinner and the final hour of costume judging.
I must add that we had many spectacular costumes and accompanying stories this year, you were all amazing but I couldn't give everyone a plaque! Thank you for all those who did enter. There were plenty of fine dressed gentleman and ladies that did not and I hope you partake in the future.
With guns and other prizes given away, raffles from guns donated back for auction to raise money for Just L and awards done and dusted. There were many happy Cowboys and Cowgirls at the end of the evening and I congratulate you all!!! 57 clean shooters!!
Jack was very happily surprised to place 1st in Silver Senior! Awesome job man! Congratulations to the other Silver Senior's – Creek 2nd, Greasy Creek Slim 3rd, Matt Valentine 4th, Snake Oil George 5th, Half Fast Len 6th.
I placed first in my category Lady Wrangler alongside my good friend Belle Vaquera in 2nd, my lovely costume judge and friend Cheeka Bow Wow in 3rd and the one and only Misty Moonshine in 4th! Congratulations ladies.
I also placed 15th and 1st lady overall, with Creek County Kid taking the men's.
Another fabulous shoot in the Sooners and Boomers state!
Kat xo
Why…..on a shot weekend…..does it need to be 30-48F/sub zero to around 6C.
Holy moly! Yesterday started off cool but pleasant, hmm not too bad we think, take jackets, hand warmers etc, all good.
A short time later, a slight breeze picks up – create wind chill.
The northern cold front moves in – temperature plummets again.
Add a little of that moisture stuff – yay drizzle as well.
Anyway, still had fun, 36 shooters, 6 stages shot, just meant a bit more cleaning of guns after and despite the fumbles had a respectable finish. Happy days! Thanks again Territorial Marshal's for a fabulous club match.
This morning we get up earlier – need to travel 2 hours to get to Sand Springs.
Again, cool but pleasant with hopes of it clearing. Scarf included in the mix of items today. Legs were warm yesterday so it's pants and chinks again – hmm toasty.
Have high hopes of cloud clearing and sun breaking through on the way. Just after Macca's picking up breaky, the sun is rising and I'm excited.
We get onto Zinc Ranch and we see 5 deer, (pic of 2 from the pack) and it's a great day to be here.
We end up with 30 shooters, 6 stages, a better day than yesterday shooting wise, really happy days. Great posse, weather consistently cool, everyone's rugged up and making sure all shooters are soon deposited back into their warm coats and gloves. Thanks to Indian Territory SASS for a great day.
Worn out, warmed up, nice and cosy. Hoping for some warmer days for Land Run! Less than two weeks to get your entries in, then another two weeks on til we have approx 300 shooters take part in this awesome event.
See you down the trail soon
Kat xo
The week began with Sunday being somewhat wet and miserable still with folks hoping it would dry out ready for Winter Range to start last Monday.
Heading out to the range later that day to register and pick up packs, it as sunny but cool and the waddies were desperately trying to create drains around vendor tents and pump water off ranges.
Monday and Tuesday were for Wild Bunch. Ten stages were done, along with some long range side match and speed. Our posse for Wild Bunch was Half-A-Hand Henri, Long Swede, Dixie Bell, Constable Nelson, Rooster Cockburn, Medicine Creek Johnny, Big Foot Billy, Deadwood Fred, Wolf Gang, Haole, Paniola Annie, Kid Rich, Shirttail Bess, Mad Dog Mark, Mar-Lynn, Matchlock, Ottercreek Bushwacker, Yellowstone Vic, Flyin' Shootist, Brushy Creek Bill, and Major Pain.
Tuesday afternoon was spent helping out with the Doily Gang Clinic, giving some coaching to ladies wanting to improve their transitions. I Posse'd with Dixie Bell and Whirlwind Wendy and we had 10 beautiful ladies to teach. I spoke to a few of them throughout the week and seems all are happy to have taken away something from the clinic and are excited about their matches.
Wednesday, it's warm up, side matches (which we didn't do this year), shopping, eating, catching up with more cowboys and the opening ceremonies. The fly over of 11 war birds lead by Lt. Col Scratch in his Nang Chang was spectacular and I bet those Cowboys that were chosen to go for a ride were absolutely loving it!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were main match days. Four stages each and at the end of the 12, Jack and I were pretty satisfied with how we had shot our matches and would eagerly wait to hear the results. We had a great Posse, Posse 30! Alvira Sullivan Earp and Virgil Earp (our Aussie friends), Bois D'Arc and Tacky Jackie (Oklahoma friends), Chugwater One Shot, Coal Train, High Country, Honest Henry, J.B. Corn (and his lovely wife Aurora who kept all our scores for us), Just Marshall, Kerman Kid, Lazlo Scarr, Little Joe Dalton, Marshal Law, Pill Peddler, Sgt. StroDog, Standpat Steve, Valrico Kid and of course Jack and myself.
Friday night was Saloon night and this year they had craps tables, black jack, Texas hold 'em and the infamous Doc Holliday (we saw him when visiting Tombstone a few times) with his Faro table and regaling people with his stories. You handed your chips in, when you were ready to leave, in exchange for prize tickets of which I was lucky enough to win a voucher with Wild West Mercantile!
Saturday is of course the day of relief I guess, the match is done and everyone now gets to enjoy the Banquet and side match awards. Costume contest is on and I had the pleasure of being a judge this year. I stepped aside from my judging duties for Pea Patch to step in when a couple of ladies presented in costumes I had made for them. Costume Judges this year were myself, Goodness Grace, Cowtown Scout, Skinny and Capt.
The shoot off participants for Wild Bunch and cowboy were announced. Making it into the sweet sixteen with 3 other Lady Wranglers meant it was going to be a close match for us all.
This brings us to yesterday, I had one run in the shootout with fellow Lady Wrangler and my main competition Echo Meadows. She shot well and made it through to the next round after I left 3 plates up.
For the Ladies the shootout was won by Molly Magoo and for the Men's, Slick McClade.
So onto the awards and first up the SASS Wild Bunch presented the Wooly Award to the Winter Range Board for their 2016 match.
For Wild Bunch, the overall winners were Captain Sam Evans for Men and Texas Tiger for the Ladies. Jackaroo placed 9th for Wild Bunch Senior Modern and I finished 3rd in Ladies Traditional.
This year's Cowboy match had 111 people from 749 shoot a clean match! That's no misses, no procedurals etc! Outstanding effort and was achieved by three of the Aussie's – Frank James, Renegade Ty and Rooster Cockburn.
Out of the 10 Australians participating, 8 of them (sorry if you did too Renegade Ty but I didn't catch that one) placed in their categories. Constable Nelson, 8th Place in Forty Niners. Frank James, 9th Place in Senior. Alvira Sullivan Earp, 5th Place in Ladies Silver Senior. KC Woody, 7th Place in Senior Gunfighter.
Jackaroo finished 7th Place in Silver Senior and 60th overall! He shot a great match and wasn't too far off me.
I'm ecstatic, I achieved my goal for this match finishing 1st Place Lady Wrangler, 2nd Lady overall and placed 57th overall.
AND the 2017 Winter Range US National Champions overall with a huge congratulations goes to SASS Kicker for the Ladies and Deuce Stevens for the Men.
Here's congratulations to all the competitors who placed at Winter Range and we will see you again somewhere down the road for the next one.
Kat xo
Just a quick one before I get changed up from shooting into Victorian loveliness.
It's been a great week of sunshine and clear skies, we couldn't have asked for more!
Around 760 shooters will now be eagerly awaiting the outcome tomorrow. It's been another awesome Winter Range and it will be what it will be. Good luck to all the shooters and hope you have achieved what you came here to do.
To all the new and first time participants I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your time at Winter Range and for those who haven't been yet – never be afraid to go to a big match!!
Tonight will be side match awards, shindig, costume contest and announcement of Top 16 Mens and Ladies!
Cheers!
Kat xo
Yes folks it's that time of year again where some 760 shooters will mosie on in to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility for the US Nationals of Cowboy Action Shooting.
We are just outside of Santa Rosa, New Mexico having stopped earlier in Amarillo, Texas for lunch, still heading for Phoenix, Arizona. Now at 5000ft even the water bottles are feeling it! Lol!
Tonight we are in Old Town Albuquerque. After gathering supplies for the tonight and a bit for next week, we will head down into Arizona tomorrow.
Ran into Misty, Roxy and Amber in Edgewood Walmart. Walked straight past looking for something when they said hello, not once but twice before I realised! 🙂 how embarrassment!
We have 8 Aussie's shooting Winter Range this year and plenty of cowboys and cowgirls to catch up with!
Exciting times ahead! Stay tuned!
Cheers big ears!
Kat xo
'It's the most wonderful time of the year…….' Come on, couldn't help but throw in a Christmas tune there! Haa Haa Haa
Last weekend was The Gamblers, Christmas Club Championships. It was 'the season to be jolly' with two stages set up on the one range, 26 Cowboys and Cowgirls put their rigs on ready for some action.
They set to 'rocking around the Christmas tree' alternating the posse between a stage with movement and a stage shot all from one position.
Many of us were 'dreaming of a white Christmas' as the temperature crept up to 39C/102F. However, as cowboys and cowgirls do, we keep having fun whatever the conditions!
Of course, the usual banter and laughter is ever present, along with some steely glares. (The latter has to do with safety's on unfamiliar shotguns, she says rolling her eyes, sigh)
Getting into the final couple of stages and its 'do you hear what I hear?' Thunder and lightning is starting to roll in and with metal baffles overhead it's time to hurry this posse up and get done before the storm comes through.
'Joy to the world' ….the day is done…..let all….pack up….your gear (were you singing that to the tune? 🙂 Haa Haa)
'O come all Ye faithful' inside for the rest of the festivities. We all gathered for the after party with the Budweiser flowing and the chatter getting more animated. A spectacular feast as always prepared by Mrs Claus and her elves (aka Trixie, Prairie Joy and OK Carrol), full of ham, chicken, egg, potato, watermelon salad, prawn and mango salad followed by scrumptious tarts, cheesecake and pavlova! Well done ladies, well done!
Oops! Nearly forgot the decorating assistants Marlboro Man and Lucky Strike Lass for the set up of tables, tinsel and Bonbons!
Entertainment for the evening was performed by Rex Rhinestone and his fiddle with accompaniment on the spoons by Marlboro Man. Most excellent!
Onto Awards and thanks must go to Chuck and Pearl Starr for preparing them. Our leader, Dug Deeper, made announcements and did the honour of presenting awards. Congratulations to everyone!!
Ricochet (Jackaroo) came 2nd in Silver Senior, 1st Place congratulations to Johnny Behan and 3rd Place to Mad Mick.
In Lady Wrangler category congratulations to 2nd Place, Ex Sighted, 3rd Place, Tequila Sunrise.
Overall winners for The Gamblers, were Mad Dog Tannen and Tequila Sunrise.
For the 'Outlaws' (non club members), overall winners were Painted Mohawk and Amazing Grace (Kathouse Kelli)!
Thank you to all The Gamblers for a great time as usual!
Feliz Navidad!
Kat xo
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The Adventures of Jack n Kat 