Tag Archives: cowboy action shooting

Hell On The Border

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Under a watery sunlit, sometimes see a slight shadow, semi coolish sorta day (how's that for a description? :)), 150 shooters set for 7 stages of cowboy shooting in Arkansas at Old Fort Gun Club.

 

Now it wasn't without its hiccups for many and we were certainly part of that with hangups with ammo but really nothing major.

We had a great posse. Woo! Go Posse 6 – Back 40, Belle Vaquera, Billy Broncstomper, Blackwater Bruce, Browncoat Annie, Cajun, Cap'n Highpockets, Dusty Darryl, Greasy Creek Slim, Hairless, Irish Tom, Jackaroo, Kathouse Kelli, Mean Mary, Miss Shirl, Mud Puppy, Revelator, Shell Stuffer, Silent Thunder, Tightwad Swede and Willie Mescal.

 

The proceedings started with prayer and pledge of allegiance, then a swift presentation of the National Buckaroo champ's trophy – we didn't catch them at OKC last weekend and he'd skipped out early at Winter Range – done by Gunny Buckshot. Good one CR Hicock and we hope you do well at EOT is year before you move up to Junior Boy category!

Sooooooo as I mentioned, there were a few undesirable stages for many but all in all, everyone had a great day and faired well. Especially for Oklahoman's (and faux Oklahoman's) – just sayin'!

Although outnumbered the Oklahoman's did well with placing – Long Branch Kitty, Bea G, Lonesome Buck, Kiamichi Queen, The Brisco Kid, Broncho Red, Choctaw Jim, Tacky Jackie, Bois D'Arc, C R Hicock, Montana Dan, Matt Valentine, Red Knee, Scott Wayne, Highland Scottie, Roy's Creek Dan, Jackaroo and Kathouse Kelli. Excuse me if I've forgotten anyone!

Overall Ladies was myself, Kathouse Kelli – Australian by way of Oklahoma and Overall Men's, Roy's Creek Dan – Oklahoma. Yee haa!

 

Jack took 2nd place in Senior with 3rd place going to Back 40 and 1st place going to Greasy Creek Slim. Congratulations!

A big congratulations to my fellow Lady Wranglers, 2nd Place to Cheek A Bow Wow and 3rd Place – Belle Vaquera.

Jackaroo and I managed to pull off a double win on Derringer for Men's and Ladies and I also won Best Dressed Ladies Shooter for the day.


A great shoot, plenty of good people to be reacquainted with and meet new ones. Tomorrow we will finish the last 5 stages of the Arkansas State Wild Bunch match.

Cheers

Kat xo

 

Winter Range 2015 – The Week That Was

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What a week it has been!

We started out Sunday week ago shooting at Cowtown – Fire and Ice. It was a good warmup for the week ahead and got to shoot with some new cowboys and cowgirls.

Monday and Tuesday were Wild Bunch match days. 5 stages each day with 30 pistol, mostly up to 10 rifle and 4 up to 12 shotgun per stage. We had a go at Wild Bunch long range rifle and some speed events for giggles.

 

Tuesday evening was the Classic Cowboy Dinner at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek. This year honours went to Classic Cowgirl “Squawty Bawdy” and Classic Cowboy “G W Ryder”.

Wednesday it was onto Warm Up match and speed events. Back into the cowboy guns and ready for the main match to begin.

Thursday – start of main match and not too bad. A little slow and 1 miss for the day. Jack had a few issues with jacking rounds out, we are 2 for 2 at the end of the day.

 

Friday – Red Shirt Day in honour of all troops serving or have served. A fly over occurs before each wave of shooters commences (for those that have never been to this event there will be x amount of posses that start early, mid or late in the day).

 

The flight team of 4 commences their flyover in formation and part way over one will peel away from the other 3, representing the lost men and women of service.

 

Had a couple of really good runs this day and one very happy cowgirl. Jack continuing his streak from the day before is not particularly happy – and he did have some really good raw times.

Friday night is saloon night with side match awards, followed by Bingo and Poker.

Saturday – last chance to finish the match strong, the weather was a bit drizzly and a tad annoying. Dropped 2 shots on stage 12 and I knew it was going to hurt. All in all, I was pleased to have shot my best Winter Range yet and all would be revealed come Sunday.

 

Saturday night of course is banquet night. I entered the costume contest with the 'Alamo Ball' 1879 gown and won 1 st place Best Dressed Lady and to top it off my seamstress skills assisted a 1st place Best Dressed B-Western Lady for 'Lil McGill'.

 

The Top 16 Mens and Sweet 16 Ladies shooters are also announced for the showdown on Sunday morning.

For the Men's – Blackjack Zac, Cobra Cat, Cody James, Deuce Stevens, Fast Enuff, Frederick Jackson Turner, Gateway Kid, Hell Hound, Matt Black, Ole Short Tom, Ranger McDuffie, Robyn DeVault, Single Barrel, Skin Dawg, Slick McClade and Texas Slim (alternates were Lead Ringer, Colt Faro, Oklahoma Dee and Bogus Deal)

For the Ladies – Bonnie MacFarlane, Crazy Little Woman, Echo Meadows, Kathouse Kelli, Lefty Jo, Lilly Long, Mame, Panhandle Cowgirl, SASS Kicker, Shamrock Sadie, Spur Broke, Sunshine Marcie, Texas Tiger, Tillie Dyes, Two Sons, Whirlwind Wendy (alternates were Etta Mae, Addie Rose, Victoria Diamond and Molly Magoo)

Come Sunday morning the light drizzle cleared and we had one change in the men's lineup and only 12 jittery but keen cowgirls to give it a go. Overall the final two were 'Slick McClade' and 'SASS Kicker'. Congratulations to both of them.

 

Awards were done and dusted in a couple of hours. A big congratulations to 'Tillie Dyes' for taking 1st place in Lady Wrangler, 2nd place me! 'Kathouse Kelli'! 3rd 'Echo Meadows', 4th 'Mame', 5th 'Pinto Annie', 6th 'Renegade Roper', 7th 'Miss Behavin', 8th 'Six Packin Jan', 9th 'Misty Moonshine' and 10th 'Winchester Mariah'

For Wild Bunch I placed 3rd in Ladies Traditional – 1st Place went to 'Texas Tiger', 2nd 'Dixie Bell', 3rd me, 4th 'Lacey Doyley' and 5th 'Shotgun Shannon'.

 

Phew! An awesome week finished off with a great dinner at Abuelos with none other than Judge Roy Bean, Justice Lily Kate, Shotglass, Texas Jack Daniels, Squawty Bawdy, Hipshot, Hawkshaw Fred, Hot Tamale, Aspen Filly and her sister Nancy. Thanks for the invite, Jackaroo and I thoroughly enjoyed it and everyone's company.

 

 

Kat xo

 

 

Convention Close Out

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A little delayed in getting this out but we will do it anyway.

So Wednesday (7th Jan) as we saw, started with breakfast at Schilo's and then a bit of a walk along part of the Riverwalk. Bit of goofing off at a Mexican Restaurant with a photo opportunity. Hmm might make a good prop for Wild Bunch?!

 

We made a visit to the Alamo epitaph, the souvenir shop and garden and after a couple few drinks catching up with Cowboys and Cowgirls, returned later to view the exhibition in the shrine – Firearms of the Texas Frontier.

 

Interesting fact: there are several State and International flags in the Alamo with tags and a number on them. So enquiring minds set to find out from one of the curators or volunteers what they meant. The numbers represent how many 'Texians' originated from that particular area. For example England 11, Tennessee 16, and many others from Pennsylvania, Ireland, Spain to name but a few.

Then onto the long barracks to view the video and artefacts including William B Travis ring that he hung around infant, Angelina Dickinson's neck, prior to the battle. Susanna Dickinson's and her daughter Angelina were one of the few women and children who survived the massacre at The Alamo.

 

Thursday 8th called for dress up, Convention Opening breakfast and Awards preceded with the colour guard. Many seminars were to be attended within The Menger and of course visits down the road to the convention centre for vendors, book signings and stage shows.

 

The Marriachi band provided some entertainment in the mean time.

 

Got plenty of walking in between and photo opportunities for the public as we paraded the streets in our Victorian and cowboy clothing.

Here we are with Lily Marie in the Menger foyer. Gorgeous paintings and antique furniture just right for our gowns.

 

Thursday evening was cocktail hour with the acknowledgement of the 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees. Congratulations to Chuckaroo, Half-a-Hand Henri, Two Sons, Cowboys and Indian Store – Jim Bowie and Palewolf Brunelle (who was unable to attend) for all your efforts in the world of cowboy action shooting.

 

Friday 9th and time for more dress up, seminars, vendors, sitting in the bar and of course the Victorian Tea (I was lucky to gain a ticket for this and would never miss it at another Convention!).

 

Petit Foires, finger sandwiches and a selection of teas were the perfect afternoon setting for elegantly dressed women AND a few gentlemen to enjoy conversation and literature readings by Green Eyed Gypsy. Her excerpts from Texas Dames were very interesting to listen to and now I have to find and purchase the book!

 

Upon entry to the tea, we were given a blue and yellow ribbon to be worn. Stamped TEA into the velvet ribbon and a Texas star stud at the bottom, mine appeared to be upside down! Certainly made for easier reading in any case! Lol! There was to be a surprise associated with this 'purpose fault'. I won an 1880s garment drafting machine!!! Excited much, as I admired Velvet Glove's in Hot Springs, AR late last year and now I have one of my very own! Thanks also must go to Calico and Garnet Rose for donating this special prize.

There were other lucky seat and door prizes for others. Such a fun afternoon with thanks to Justice Lily Kate, Shotglass, Green Eyed Gypsy, Squawty Bawdy, and Aspen Filly – hopefully I haven't forgotten anyone.

Caught up with Flat Top Okie, Missouri Mae, Roy's Creek Dan and Highland Scottie for dinner that evening and a visit for the gents to partake in a cigar in the humidor at the Menger. A photo op with local constabulary! Too funny and I had to email it to him also.

 

The Pyjama Party and Pool Party were moved into the ballroom due to quite a cool and misty night. There certainly were some characters there and I heard it continued with Frederick Jackson Turner playing his guitar and entertaining the stayers in the foyer after they all left the Ballroom.

Saturday 10th and the blue gown. Pictures with Jackaroo and Wild Horse John before sitting to read for a while, which must have looked quite amusing to some.

So here I was sitting elegantly on the edge of the sofa, as one does when unable to manoeuvre petticoats and skirts much (I can be very ladylike when I need to be – who'd have thought! Lol!), reading the SASS Chronicle BUT it was on my iPad and I know there was a guy wandering through the hotel who I saw out of the corner of my eye take a photo. Too funny. Got the Chronicle read though.

 

On to Miss Tabitha's Victorian Undergarment show, her Flirtatious show yesterday regarding fan, parasol and handkerchief etiquette in the 1800's was very interesting and entertaining so this show was sure to be just as entertaining.

Miss Tabitha didn't disappoint, showing the different types of undergarments worn for the perfect silhouette from 1830's through 1890's. Her lovely assitants – Cat Ballou, Velvet Glove, Peaches O'Day, Bloomin' Yankee and Princess Rita (?) with a special appearance by Tex in his union suit.

Beautifully made gowns with some from disassembled antique gowns reusing embellishments and lace from the actual gowns to hand dyed fabrics, feathers and lace to match. Just stunning!

 

Then it was time for the Alamo Ball! With many in attendance the costume contest started early and then it was cocktails, dinner, announcement of costume winners and Victorian dancing! Thanks to Cowtown Scout and Jackaroo as my dancing chaperones for the evening. Was good fun and don't think we managed to dance on anyone's toes!

Ladies Best Dressed winners were, in 1st Place – Green Eyed Gypsy, 2nd Place – Kathouse Kelli and 3rd Place – Bloomin' Yankee. I thought at best I would place 3rd with these two exceptional dressmakers, with many more years of experience in 'period correctness' than I have, so I was absolutely stoked to place 2nd!!

 

Phew! And that folks is the wrap up for SASS Convention!

We headed home on the Sunday making a brief stop in Denton to meet with Lil McGill and hand over the Annie Oakley outfit and pick up gear from Boomstick Jay.

What a weekend, made some more friendships with Cowboys and cowgirls from different parts of the world.

Here's a shout out to Misty Moonshine, Slipnoose, Amber Oakley, Roxy West and all the other cowboys and cowgirls that make these big events work for all the enjoyment of the rest of us.

 

Cheers

Kat xo

 

P.S. Alamo is Spanish for cottonwood. 🙂

Oh and you can't take photos inside the Alamo so can't show you the firearms displays, the flags, the frescos on the stonewalls etc.

 

 

 

Black Gold Shootout 2014

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Wow! What a sensational weekend.

Thursday started out good, sunny and warm shooting 4 stages of Wild Bunch in the morning before lunch and then the afternoon for speed events and warm up stages.

Into the evening and they held Cowboy Olympics. This involved a whole heap of fun and laughter amongst drinks!

Game 1 – Cans hanging from a frame, shot with a slingshot, now you can choose to shoot Traditional, meaning rocks off the ground or Modern with marbles.

Game 2 – take your pea shooter, a straw, and load Traditional with spit wads of paper or Modern with frogs eyes (the BB gun pellets).

Game 3 – then go a round with Hilary and Obama caricatures. Take your bow and arrow and shoot through their smiles, then ‘chunk coal’ through their smiles. Oh and you had to wear an Indian head dress (feathers in an elastic band, fruit of the loom off yer underpants!) and have an Indian name, so mine was Fanny Fosters Walkabout from the Crackatinni tribe!

Game 4 – was golf with a walking stick and ball pit balls. Hit into a flowerpot or you can try for the mason jar.

Game 5 -the final one you had to lasso a steers head on a bale of hay.

Hilarious, good times and nearly everyone there had a go.

The evening was finished off with a little too much drinking and dancing. The table and I met a few times going by the bruises on my leg and wish I had a picture of Whiskey Creek Johnson and Jackaroo doing a slow dance! Fun in Kentucky!!

Friday, feeling a little seedy to say the least was main match, 5 stages, now it really pays to listen when you don’t have a shoot book in the guncart. I can’t remember the last time I had a procedural but got one today much to my sheer horror! Jack had a sensational run!

The rain set in after we finished shooting and didn’t really let up into the night. That put paid to team shoots for the afternoon and instead we opted for the Motel and a Nanna nap.

We headed back out for dinner and the band. They had 11 entrants for the lying contest, a brownie and cake bake off and side match awards. And then came the band. Wow! These guys are a sensational Bluegrass band (Virgil Abolis?). Duelling banjos style!! Awesome!

A much earlier night getting back around 11.30pm.

Saturday, saw more rain on and off and the final 5 stages. Two train wrecks and a miss for me, shotgun re-engagements, pistol round the world and a miss. Hey! Had fun though! Jackaroo had a great match and finished clean!

We had team match in the afternoon when it wasn’t raining. Our team consisted of myself, Jack and Let’s Go. We shot a few times, switched up with other’s but at the end of the day no one could beat our sensational run! All plate knock downs alternate between static, run tip the other person onto the guy at shotgun and Texas star targets. 24.97 we ran!

Anyway Jack finished 3rd in category, clean shooter and finished 9th place overall! Congratulations to 2nd place Knob Creek Drover, and in 1st place Fast Eddie!

Congratulations to Lady Wranglers 1st Place Sue Render, 2nd Place Anita Margarita and Kathouse Kelli 3rd place.

Overall champions for 2014 Blackgold Shootout were Ladies – Dixie City Gal and Men’s – Missouri Lefty.

Saturday night finished off with Blackwater Desperado and Milkbone, their band out of Nashville. They played Lynnard Skynard, Joe Cocker and a whole heap of other stuff. Opened with ‘who stopped the rain’ seeing as it had been raining a good part of the weekend!

Thanks to the Jarvis family and Ponderosa Pines for a great weekend! To all of those who put in effort before and during, we take our hats off to you!

Kat xo

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Kentucky

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Kentucky, home of unbridled spirit the sign says and birthplace to Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the US and famous for his Gettysburg Address.

Some 17 hours travelling time later we have made it to Kentucky. I can't help but think 'Justified' here seeing as I just finished watching all 5 series again, and wondering what's up in them hills!

Moonshine? Old whiskey runners and stills? Are the Bennett's running weed and are there really any bodies down mine shafts here? Just my over active imagination at play.

BUT there is coal in these parts and we are headed the next few days for Ponderosa Pines – Black Gold Shootout. Sitting right in back of what seems to still be a working coal mine.

It's gorgeous through Southern Kentucky up here to Manchester, it's winding roads, hills and an abundance of trees, and the weather is perfect. Well for today, next to no humidity and sitting around 79F/26C.

We found Ponderosa Pines and ventured in, coming out to a clearing, green grass, covered entertainment areas, a stage, a pond and then beyond the pond is the ranges. This looks like party Central and as 'Blackwater' said, “this is a party with a side match of a shoot!”

Too funny, this should be a ripper, looking forward to it. Pic's of the range tomorrow.

Cheers! Kat xo

 

CO State Championships Main Match

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It was clear skies heading to the range Saturday morning after a spectacular fireworks display over Fort Collins last night for Independence Day celebrations.

We could see the mountains, a gorgeous sight with some small patches of snow still on the tops of the “Fourteeners”.

Second day of shooting was done on Saturday ending up with 4 misses for me and a clean match for Jackaroo! Well done man!

Thank you Posse 5, great work! And to all those who helped out with this shoot for some 165+ Shooters, good match, thanks Pawnee Station and to The Full Moon Saloon for shutting down their bar to host a bunch of cowboys n cowgirls for fun, frivolity, banquet and games on Saturday night.

This morning, Sunday, was another hot start to the day with many throwing their name tag in the bucket and being drawn to see who’s going head to head in the Top Gun Challenge. We had a crack at it but small mistakes mean it’s anyone’s game for this! Congratulations to Painted Filly who came in for our round when I dropped a shot and to Shaky when Jackaroo was ahead then fumbled with his last two rounds, theirs was a very close match!

When it was all said and done, the final winners of the Top Gun Challenge were Lefty Jo and Gateway Kid! Yee haa!

Out of the 165 odd shooters there were 11 of them that had a clean match including our Aussies, Jackaroo and Sam Balin.

When it all came out in the wash, there were a lot of very happy shooters – myself and Jack included.

Jack finished 1st Place Senior, Cat Tracker 2nd Place and Colorado State Champion, 3rd Place Mountain Mike (?). Yay! An unexpected win for Jackaroo as he truly thought he had mucked up on a few stages that would have cost him a placing.

In Lady Wrangler category I finished 1st Place, Turquoise Queen 2nd Place and Colorado State Champion, 3rd Place Ivy Wild.

While I was taking photos of others and not paying attention, I heard Red River Wrangler announce they were going to read out the top 10, (thinking top 10 combined) when I sat back down they were going through some ladies names and next thing I know, Lefty Jo is standing with her hand extended and me wondering what the hell she was doing when they called my name as 1st Lady overall!! Wow, very much a surprise!

So a good weekend finish for both of us. Had a ball!

AND I need to mention that the 2014 Colorado State Champions are Cobra Cat and Lefty Jo! Our very hearty congratulations to two fantastic people.

Cheers

Kat xo

P.S. An outstanding year for Cobra Cat, Cowboy National Champion, World Champion and now State Champion. A true young gentleman to boot – just sayin’! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

EOT Opening Ceremonies

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Not much done today, we didn't go shoot side matches but headed out after lunch and strolled through the vendors and visited with many.

Opening ceremonies were on at 5pm. Italy, France, New Zealand, Canada, United States and Australia were all represented with 2013 World Champion, our own Aussie and friend, Savage Sam bearing our flag for the parade of colours.

There were SASS Scholarship presentations, new Regulator presentations and a stirring speech by Coyote Kay for an additional scholarship presentation for the Coyote Calhoun Scholarship Fund.

2014 End Of Trail was declared open by SASS #1, Judge Roy Bean.

The after party with supper hosted by the Dooley Gang and Margaritas were happening again down at Hot Tamales.

Tomorrow is the first day of Main Match, we are on Posse 22 and start on the mid rotation but will be out there for the day. Let's go!!!

Good luck to all the Single Action Shooters attending 2014 End Of Trail, we wish you all the best of luck for great competition and most of all FUN!

Yeeeeee haaa!

Kat xo

 

Warm Up EOT

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Headed out to range today for Safety Meeting at 9am, then wandered the range checking out the set up, catching up with old faces making our way back down all 12 stages to the car to grab our guns and gear for the 1pm warm up session.

We shot with Savage Sam, RC Shot, and Kiwis – Ruby Redsmoke, White Lightning Jack, Wild Willie Kiwi, Tuscon the Terrible and a whole heap of other cowboys n cowgirls. Had a great time and shot stages 9 thru 12 but different from main match.

Jack and I both shot some good times but both had a fumbled stage each.

Now it's beers and cheers! I've added to the farmers tan today and yes I did put sunscreen on – I just forgot to start earlier because we are closer to the sun here at 7000ft above sea level!!! 🙂

Here's a few happy snaps from today.


Cheers Kat xo

 

PoP First Day Main Match

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's a clear sky start for a great day at the Powder Creek range, nice mild shooting weather.

Pledge of allegiance and safety briefing prior to starting.

Our Posse, Jackaroo, Kathouse Kelli, Petticoat Chaser, Flint Hills Dawg, Anvil Al, Titus A Gnatsass, Goldie Lu, Daisy Dee, Dirt Dart, Rowdy Buckshot, Cash Profitt, Shady Willie Brown, Cap'n Highpockets, Quirt Dunn, Trigger Happy Kid, Buster The Kid, Lynch M Two, Lynch M Sag, Boomstick Jay, Irish Tom, Trudy Mae. Hopefully I haven't missed anyone.

Five stages done today, smaller targets than the last few shoots, but good stages and reasonable times nonetheless. I'm clean for the day (one shotgun reengagement/fumble), 1 miss for Jack and a rifle jack out.

Pic with Chantilly today. So much fun.

Five more tomorrow yet!

Had a quick meal at the range this evening, fun with friends and side match awards of which I picked up 4!! Woo hoo!

Worn out, looking forward to tomorrow and Banquet tomorrow night.

Night!

Kat xo