Tag Archives: getting it together

End Of Trail

Posted on 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!

Finishing shotgun
On to pistol
Start rifle
Then on to shotgun

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

Start holding money bag in hand.

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.

Bent out of shape

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 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.

Flags from participating Nations.

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

Improvise!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

When you buy a new ironing board cover and you haven't checked length, 'cause who would have thought that they aren't the same……..yeah, me.

So improvise! Had some fabric in the stash, cut out a whole new one for later and added a new piece to the bought one to make it fit!

 

Now I can get back to the task at hand which is ironing clothes and making them fit into the very small closet.

Kat xo

 

Looking For Work!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

In the hustle and bustle of moving and re-establishing, waiting for my machines, fabrics and more, I’ve been scouring the job sites and many agencies with no such luck so far.

They all want experience in this that and the other but I have so much to give and could do them and more!

Here’s my job request ad! Maybe this will spark some interest!

I need some work, I’ll do anything,

All you need do, is give me a ring.

I just need a chance,

Here I thank you in advance.

Tomorrow is not a given

So for 4 years I’ve been livin’.

Nows my chance to prove to you

Hire me! Won’t be sorry if you do!

Anywhere along the Gold Coast

As far up as the Sunshine Coast,

I’ll show up with a smile

Give you more than a mile.

My work dedication

Proven history is sayin’

A qualified ceramics teacher,

Cake decorating had a feature,

Then ActewAgl for collections by phone,

This is what brought me into my own.

Team player, individual, met KPI,

System development, gave it a try

Then Supervisor and Manager Acting,

I soon left Credit for a better thing.

Operations was next, liaising with all,

Contractors, staff, had an absolute ball.

Inductions, moved furniture, set up IT,

Reporting, planning, I loved it you see!

A diploma was given for advancement in skill,

Then a Cert IV, still going with will.

I moved into Safety and down to the dam,

The Cotter was growing and so was my plan.

I gained confidence and approval from all these tough blokes,

I assisted, cared and laughed with their jokes.

Front end loaders and moxies I wish I had driven,

But confined spaces, tower cranes with them I was smitten.

Down to the poo farm for the next role,

Not afraid to get dirty I would go down that hole.

You see an all rounder willing to learn,

Challenge me as I’ve energy to burn.

So here now again I must request,

Let me show you how I do my best.

If you read this all the way to the end,

Just give me a call or email me friend.

I’m willing to train and do a lot more,

Just give me a job I’ll be grateful for.

Got to get creative these days!!

Have a good one and make each day count!