Tag Archives: Smokin Guns at Rabbit Ridge

Smokin’ Guns At Rabbit Ridge Part 2

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Okay, so after the exceptional opening ceremony yesterday, we shot 5 stages, got a little more suntan, had a blast with our posse and finished on a high note!

Friday I think as previously mentioned, was Wild Bunch, side matches, and a chilli dinner with joke night. THAT brought out some of the best and worst from all ages (might I add).

Saturday after the exceptional opening ceremony (see Smokin' Guns At Rabbit Ridge Part 1) we went through 5 stages of the main match which was pretty good and then we had a range dinner of catfish, shrimp and hush puppies with coleslaw and fries – of course a cupcake, and chicken tenders for Jack and others that didn't want catfish!

We had the band play last night but we retired reasonably early.

Throughout the night the thunder and lightning kept some of us awake and when it was time to see in the new day this morning it was still raining at a reasonable rate. Yuck!

Breakfast was had and by the time we left for the range it was very very light.

When we were ready to start shooting, all rain had ceased and we were blessed with spectacular cloudy, or cloudless weather for the rest of the day. It was particularly water logged and muddy – to say the very least!!!

 

Our group of shooters, Posse 1, (which included Annie Hicock, Fast Fingers Green, Billy Broncstomper, Belle Vaquera, Jackaroo and myself, C.S. Brady, Trail Agent, Slick McClade, Harpe, Jackalope Jeb, Red Jack Morgan, Okie Buck, Outlaw Bill Wilson, The Arizona Ranger and Three Sheets) finished in spectacular style, sliding into the very muddy Train Depot stage.

 

The clean match winners were announced and given a guncart hand towel. A neat idea and something different.

The veterans from each division (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard) were presented with a special challenge coin. I didn't know they had an area on the entry forms to state service, Jack had put his service down too and was pleasantly surprised to be included in this honour.

I present to you the 'Veterans Posse'. Everyone gave a standing ovation to these men and women. We thank you for your service.

 

Category awards were handed out with Jack and I both winning ours. Congratulations to the Lady Wranglers; Dew R Dye 2nd and Belle Vaquera 3rd! To the Silver Seniors; Three Sheets 2nd, 3rd and 4th!

 

We worked out 12 of the 16 in our posse placed!

The Mississippi State overall champions were Blackfish Kid for the Men's and Lady Gator for the Ladies.

The overall match champions were Slick McClade and Slick's Sharpshooter (not related, she belongs to a different 'Slick' family! 🙂 )

 

Well done to the Mississippi River Rangers for a fabulous and memorable weekend.

Kat xo

 

Smokin’ Guns At Rabbit Ridge Part1

Posted on by kathousekelli70

……I'm an American soldier, an American, besides my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand, when liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right, I'm out here on the front line, so you can sleep in peace tonight….. (yes, sing along, Toby Keith's American Soldier) well, what a heart rendering opening ceremony as Smokin' Guns at Rabbit Ridge is known for. The presentation of the Color Guard is the highlight to this match which usually falls on Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all those who have served and are serving, be it here or across the world.

Sweetwater Sage riding Quervo trotted down the range with the Christian flag and Tumbleweed riding Sunny with the American flag ready to hand to Col. Benjamin Grierson and Sgt. Hampton for raising. This is all whilst they have Toby Keith's, American Soldier playing in the background. Man, just brings tears to your eyes. Just truly sensational! Go to Facebook to see the video.

 

After the Color Guard, National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, was a very moving tribute to Easy Lee who passed away just a short time ago. Fellow cowboy's from the Mississippi Rangers led a procession with the painted pony bearing a set of cowboy boots back to front in the stirrups, his rig, pistols and hat astride the saddle. May he rest in peace.

 

With the fire of multi shotgun blast, the ceremony was complete and after having the usual group photo beside the paddle steamer facade everyone departed to their assigned Posse and we are ready to throw some lead down range!

 

Five spectacular stages completed under light cloud cover with intense humidity….,yeah that's probably a good way to describe it, although I think the humidity hit its peak earlier this evening when the sun came out and we were all hanging around waiting for dinner and the band.

A visit with vendors, chatting with folks, drinking beer. Yep, sounds like a whole lot of fun!! When the band, Drivin' Sideways, got on to play with our resident star guitar player Fast Fingers Green from Oklahoma, we were rockin' out to the good Ol' tunes. (He played with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Conway Twitter when teenagers! Just imagine! I was so born in the wrong era, love this music!)

 

We called it a night, been a long day, got another long one tomorrow (yes it was only 7.45pm when we left the range 🙂 ) and just too sticky to stay out longer.

 

Night y'all!

Kat xo

 

Smokin Guns at Rabbit Ridge

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Another gorgeous weekend shootin' it up at the home of The Mississippi River Rangers.

Approximately180 shooters turned out for 3 days of fun. Side Events, Wild Bunch and a warm up match were held on Friday, Saturday 6 main match stages with the last 4 stages and awards today.

This is the second time we have been there and love that range. For some this is the start of the Triple Crown; Illinois and Tennesee being the other two legs but we wouldn't be able to make these ones.

Main match was opened with the colour guard and a whole match photo at the Steamboat. We had some great fun with Posse 5, some new faces, had shot with a few previously as well, so a good mix.

Saturday night was dinner and band 'Drivin Sideways' at the range where our very own Okie celebrity, shooter 'Fast Fingers Green', was Guest Guitar Player. We had the pleasure of sitting with the fellow Oklahomans Saturday afternoon and listening to them pick n play guitar. Fast Fingers, Red Knee and even the kids were having a go, including 'K D Steel's son who is going to go to music school – lots of talent! Fast Fingers however used to play with Jerry Lee Lewis' band back in the day and plays in a band still, every week.

This morning brought another cloudy start which meant just before it burnt off was getting humid and ready for a hot day again.

We were done before lunch time and then soon after into the Awards. Side match awards were done Friday night where I place 1st in Lady's Traditional for Wild Bunch. Men's Traditional 'Stump Man' and…..I can't remember the winners of Modern, that's bad, normally I remember.

Our main match Posse – Bama Kid, Blackfish Kid, Canoe Creek Kid, Sidekick, Mr Black, Cherokee Sergeant, Dew R Dye, Tuff Stuff, Riphawk, Red River Ralph, Sweetwater Sue, Hot Lead Lefty, The Arizona Ranger, Jackaroo and myself.

Main Match awards 'Jackaroo' got a buckle for 1st in Senior and a little plaque for Didn't Get A Cadillac – means 1 miss! I recieved a plaque for 2nd in Lady Wrangler and a certificate for Best Dressed Shooting Costume.

First Man and Lady Overall for the match went to 'Lead Ringer' and 'Slicks Sharp Shooter', good job!

Well done to all involved from the Mississippi River Rangers, great plaques and buckles and for hosting another awesome shoot!

Cheers Kat n Jack

P.S. And yes I noticed the Quigley Down Under pic on the certificate. 🙂

Xo

 

 

Mississippi Bound

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A very productive last two and a half days! Sort of glad we did go back, sorry Elvis, would have loved to have hooked up with you again.

I managed to get a heap of sewing done, underskirt, fiddled with the over skirt and think I'm happy to progress on it now – those two are part of the 'Rose Trellis' I'm making for Helldorado Days but no pics on that until much later. I also had a visit with Tacky Jackie and now have started on her Victorian gown which will be gorgeous in Eggshell and Laurie Pink, a 'Vintage Rose' production. Corset, bodice and skirt tab trim cut out and now have corset for car project (hand sewing).

As I write here in the car after my shift of driving, we are stuck in some sort of traffic or roadwork congestion with a heap of trucks all jostling for position. We've had a good run til now and hope to be in Byhalia, Mississippi by 2.30. Hmm we'll see.

Smokin Guns at Rabbit Ridge commences tomorrow and will catch up with some old friends and make more I hope. Looking forward to it! Love this range.

Have a good one, and a great Memorial Day weekend to all our friends in US and to those at home in Aus, just have an awesome weekend anyway and Happy Birthday Tighan and Fleur Di Lee.

Kat xo

PS we are here, been to the range checked out the Posse lists, checked into Motel, having drinks, and having a laugh! Life is good!! Jack says ditto! Jinx!