Tag Archives: top 20

Gunfight In Dixie XVI

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Wednesday we lit out in the wee hours of the morning (did you like that description Ruby?) and headed for the state of Tennessee again. This time to Lakeland just outside of Memphis.

The Memphis Gunslingers are again hosting the South East Regional and Gunfight In Dixie. This is a great range, great facades with 11 permanent cowboy bays.

As with most of the middle states at present it has been raining and we are in for another boggy, damp and very cold match. They have done their best to ensure most stages are covered and have flooring or matting for decent footing. It's just the guncart areas – the rest of the range – that is very muddy and boggy, with no amount of hay seeming to soak up the water. We certainly thank them for their efforts!!

 

Thursday, Doily Gang ladies clinic, T-Bone Dooley's men's shooting clinic, with all proceeds as usual going to the SASS Scholarship Foundation raised another $344, putting the current total raised from clinics held around $10,000. A great effort and all the instructors sure do enjoy giving back by passing on tips to others.

Wild Bunch, Warm Up and speed events were held throughout the rest of the day.

Friday's opening ceremony commenced with their usual and outstanding recognition of veterans over this Armistice weekend. We thank you all for your service and to those currently serving in United States and Australia especially.

 

Jack and I were with a great posse and glad to be a part of Posse 3 with some amazing people. Cooncan, Bertie Winchester, Randy Saint Eagle (Posse leader), Tomstone John, Papa Dave, Whiskey Hays (Deputy Posse leader), Blackfish Kid, Riverview Rattler, Chica, Ginderella, Jailbreak Jake, Doc Hurd, Ethan Callahan, Doc Who, English Tom and Steelshot Scott.

My shotgun having worked the previous weekends match, warm up and side matches, decided to play up across the first two stages resulting in 2 unpleasant times. Jack had a few fumbles but why wouldn't you when the weather is barely above 32F/0C!

 

It was cold, toes are frozen, no amount of hand warmers in gloves, boxer shorts and socks seemed to keep anyone warm. Jackets, ear muffs, scarves, were all a requirement across the weekend.

 

There is no accounting for fun though. So it doesn't matter what was happening we had a blast. Not the best result but great match, great folks, great fun.

The shootout was held after the final 5 stages on Saturday. They drew our pairings and Shamrock Sadie and I were paired up for first run. We had fun, Shamrock ran out of shotgun shells, I thought she was giving up and coming for a hug when she pinched a shell and finished out our run! Great sportsmanship, great friend and good fun!

 

Oklahoma Dee took out the men's shootout and so we went head to head. No backing off, he had a slight hitch with rifle and I left one plate up to be reengaged. Down to the wire we were both on pistols same time and with only one shotgun shell left myself, I carefully loaded and he just got me! Lol! Was a great run, a gentleman I respect greatly.

 

The banquet Saturday night for awards was well put together. Tumbleweed was the MC under the guide of Match Director, Hot Lead Lefty assisted by Josie Grace Underfire with all the plaques, buckles etc. A fabulous job done by all. Thanks for asking me to help with costume contest!

There were 26 clean matches out of approx 190 shooters. A white longhorn pin and a towel were given for that. Congratulations to all winners, Regional Champions and placers in category!

Elderstatesman category – 1st and Regional Champion Purly, 2nd Max Payne, 3rd Jackaroo, 4th Knot Hardly Dunn

Lady Wrangler category – 1st Kathouse Kelli

Congratulations to SE Regional Champions, Sidekick and Dodge City Dixie. The overall champions for the match, Slick McClade and Dodge City Dixie!! Well done!

It was great to catch up with so many more wonderful cowboys and cowgirls we have come to know over the years.

 

To put a dampener on the evening, some idiots decided to break into a couple of vehicles in the car park. Taking leather rigs, saddle bags, ripping out a dash for a radio. Just wrong!! Grrrrr!

Thanks to all the hardworking folks of the Memphis Gunslingers, their assistants etc. Another fabulous match, Jack and I thank you.

Kat xo

 

The Regulators Reckoning

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The 2018 TN State Championship, hosted by the Wartrace Regulators went off with a bang!

We were blessed with perfect sunshine Friday first day of main match and an overcast pleasant Saturday for the second.

Ten stages with a good mix of movement, choice and action. We commend them again, on another great match!

The range of course was perfectly decorated with its potted 'Mum's', window treatments and little extras on the stage props. I could tell Dodge City Dixie had her hand in this with her sewing and embroidery skills making an appearance here and there.

We had a great posse, with our Posse Marshal's Reno Mustang and Dodge City Dixie, we filled it out with Bama Cowboy, Suttie, Pickpocket Kate, Buford Tanner, Marshal Rico, Scrub Oak Willie, Garnet Gal, Dirty Nerdy, Brada Tat Tat, Boben Weev, Miss Weev, Lacy V. Wildfire, Yellowstone, Dancin' Duelist, Potshot Parker, Jackaroo and myself.

Was a good time had by all, plenty of laughs, cheering, and jobs on the line were hard to find. That's when you know you have a great working posse. Great shooting with y'all! 🙂

The Bell Buckle Banquet Hall is a spectacular little hidden away gem – why we have not gone into Bell Buckle before is beyond me and now we have not had the opportunity to check out their famous cafe and little shops in a cowboy town sort of setting.

The Banquet hall was decked out with covered chairs, tables with cowboy decoration, lanterns with mini fairy lights, chandeliers, blue enamel plates and cups, has a stage for presentations and separate area for the dinner service. I was suitably impressed.

 

Three new Jedi Gunfighters were inducted – Waimea, Brada Tat Tat and Appalucy. Congratulations gunfighter shooting legends!

I won Best Dressed Cowgirl alongside Best Dressed Cowboy, Count Sandor.

 

There were 41 clean shooters for the match from 204 shooters.

 

Jack faired well, shooting the best match he has shot in a long time and he was clean!! He had some stiff competition at this match but his performance certainly proved him 1st place in Elderstatesman!! Congratulations Purly 2nd, Snake Oil George 3rd, Three Deuce Cowhand 4th and Max Payne 5th. C W Knight was the TN State Champion.

 

I placed 1st in Lady Wrangler with Pickpocket Kate 2nd. Congratulations Kate was nice to shoot with you on our posse.

 

This year's TN State overall champions are Blackfish Kid and Dodge City Dixie.

 

A huge congratulations to Mens Overall – Prestidgitator and Ladies Overall – Dodge City Dixie. Well played, great match this weekend Dixie, great to watch you shoot again, you deserved it!

 

Thank you Wartrace Regulators, we had a great weekend catching up with so many cowgirls and cowboys again.

Kat xo

Click on the link above to check scores and the club itself.

 

Buffalo Camp 2018

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We left the girlies Friday morning and headed West towards Gunnedah, NSW. We wound our way through some small and historic towns.

Singleton – established 1820's by John Howe. The Main Northern Railway line reached Singleton in 1863 and remained the end of the line until 1869. It still has a number of historic buildings including the court house (1841), churches and pubs with some rural mansions dated between 1828-1877.

Muswellbrook – est. 1833 or gazetted. It was explored by John Howe also in 1819 with the first white settlement in 1820's. It too, had a number of heritage listed buildings.

Aberdeen – just north of Muswellbrook, it lies between there and Murrurundi. Aberdeen is named after the Scotland Aberdeen. It's first post office opened on 1st August, 1856. First police station 1862. First school 1864 and by 1866 it also had two churches, 3 inns, a few shops and a steam driven mill.

Scone – 'Horse Capital of Australia', Scone was named in1831 after Scone, Perth and Kinross, Scotland by Jason Kent Toth. It was gazetted in 1837. The Scone Cup is one of the richest country racing days in New South Wales and Australia.

Blandford – a small village outside of Scone had an 1872 railway station (no trace remains) and horse farms such as Aquis Farm and Emirates Park reside here.

Murrurundi – est 1840 after European settlement began in 1820's. Thomas Haydon, a local landowner established his own township called Haydonton adjacent to this and in 1913 the two merged to be Murrurundi that it is today. It is said to be an aboriginal word meaning “nestling in the valley”. According to Wikipaedia it it in fact means “five fingers” a representation of the rock formation visible at the northern end of the town.

Ben Hall – The infamous bushranger's father Benjamin Hall had a small farm near Murrurundi in 1839. Ben Hall lived in Murrurundi until he was 13.

Quirindi – early spellings 'Cuerindi' and 'Kuwherindi' was gazetted in 1884 with its Post Office opening January 1st 1858.

Breeza – Ben Hall Senior worked on a station here at one time. Another bushranger Frederick Ward, known as Thunderbolt, robbed a man here in 1865.

And finally we reach Gunnedah – Koala Capital of the World – a farming region for cotton, beef, lamb, pork, coal, cereal and oilseed grains. It is home to Australia's largest annual agricultural field day which coincidently just finished this last week on Thursday. Gunnedah was settled by European sheep farmers in 1833-34. Coal was discovered on Black Jack Hill in 1877 and by 1891, 6000 tons of coal had been raised.

So after our brief township history lesson we are ready for this weekends match!

Namoi Pistol Club hosted this year's Buff Camp. Buffalo Camp is a Pat Garrett match that utilises all cowboy guns as well as a large lever action or single shot calibre in the mix.

Each stage had 6 rounds of large cal ammo, 10 rounds rifle, 10 rounds pistol and 2+ shotgun. Ten stages of fun with side matches held on the Friday.

We arrived Friday to warm weather and played with other cowboys and cowgirls doing some side matches before going to check into the motel. The precision pistol and both rifles was a bit of fun with an extremely small buffalo target wayyyyy out there!

 

It is so so dry out here due to the drought and of course the match is on and the area is expecting rain. However, the rain stayed away with just a cool start to Saturday morning. Six stages were completed by mid afternoon and some have faired a little better than others in the fun that was.

 

Saturday night we had some very good showers in town and guessed they had same at the range. They had some steady showers which had definitely settled the dust!

Sunday morning it was cool but few clouds around made it warm quickly. With 4 stages left to do the clouds moved in near lunch time and a few drops started just as the other 2 posse's were finishing their final stage.

 

Fortunately with everyone squared away the rain hit hard with thunder and some hail! It soon cleared again and with everyone under cover (just in case another round comes) the awards got underway.

Jack won the Speed Rifle and I was 2nd, although Jack thought it was the other way around. Congrats man! He placed 2nd in Silver Senior and I was 1st in Lady Wrangler.

 

Congratulations to all 62 competitors – there were no 'clean' matches!

Congratulations to Drop Bear in 1st place overall and I came in 5th overall and 1st lady.

 

Thank you again to all the members of Namoi Pistol Club, the ladies who worked the lunches, morning teas, scoring and to the Match Directors.

We had a blast!

Kat xo

 

Another Roll Of The Dice

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The Gamblers put on another spectacular match for the Heartland Territorial Championships – Another Roll of The Dice last weekend.

A turn out of 118 shooters, spectacular weather made for an awesome weekend.

Wednesday with final setup, meet and greet with many, it was ready for action and looking great! Ex Sighted and I went out for a quick look at the range and added a few paint touches to the targets – not that they would last long tomorrow but looked good for the initial run!

 

The theme this year was Kings and Queens. The targets featured it, the score cards, the poems Deslaredo wrote for each stage and the book featured stories of: Buck Taylor – King of the Cowboys, Rosa Maria Hinojosa de Balti – the first Cattle Queen of Texas, Roy Rogers – King of the (Singing) Cowboys, Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier, Lizzie Johnson Williams – the Cattle Queen of Texas, Poker Alice – the Faro Queen of Deadwood, Pearl Hart – Bandit Queen.

Thursday was Pat Garrett, a 4 stage match. After lunch was speed events and that evening bring on the knife and hawk throwing. So much fun and laughter, hope we didn't keep the neighbor hood awake! Lol!

 

Into Friday and the first 5 stages of main match. I had a great visit with a high school friend, Kim, it was so great to catch up with her and show her what we do and the enjoyment we get from it.

We had a sensational Posse! Jack and I aka Ricochet, Amazing Grace together with Chuck, Pearl Starr, Katie Younger, Robb n Co, Mrs Mac, Hipshot, Blackjack Al (and his wife Erica), H, Mrs H, Dam Sam, Lucky Strike Lass, Marlboro Man, Coyote Baz, Meggs, Deputy Sheriff Charlie Brown, Miss Lucy, Molly Blade, Amazed, Lone Star, Doc Cummins, Etta Place, Fox and Urban Cowboy.

 

Friday night and feeling alright, It's beer's, calf roping (with saw cow) and horseshoes!

Saturday morning rolls around for the final 5. With Ex Sighted, Clancy and Powder Burn, scores were checked and double checked, printed and ready for the following day's awards. The shindig was great, Pat Garrett and side match awards given out and before you know it another late night with another early morning to come.

Sunday morning the Top 8 Ladies and Men and an invitational 8 Ladies and Men for the shootout got ready for some final action. The invitational was won by Trixie and Renegade Ty, the top 8 myself and R C Shot.

Much hard work was put in to the trophies by Ex Sighted and Bordello Baz. Donations of other prizes, vouchers etc were greatly appreciated by the recipients.

 

In the wash up, Jack won Silver Senior category! Congratulations to Deslaredo in 2nd place and Johnny Behan in 3rd place.

 

Jack also won Speed pistol, Calf Roping and Men's Traditional Lever Action in Pat Garrett.

 

I rounded out a great weekend, Ladies Traditional Lever Action in Pat Garrett, Speed Rifle, Speed PG Rifle, Calf Roping and Hawk. With 1 miss for the main match I was first in Lady Wrangler alongside Ex Sighted in 2nd Place and Lucky Strike Lass in 3rd place. Congratulations ladies!

 

First overall out of territory The Terror and Amazing Grace.

 

Heartland Territorial winners Chuck and Pearl Starr.

 

Congratulations to everyone who came to play! Hope you had as much fun as we did!

Cheers

Kat xo

 

Pawnee Station

Posted on by kathousekelli70

In the small town of Nunn, Colorado is the Great Guns Shooting Club where the Pawnee Station Annual shootout was held this past weekend.

 

Friday we headed down from Cheyenne for side matches and check out the ranges for the match. We had did a couple warm up stages, ran the speed shotgun, rifle and pistols 3 times and helped out where we could.

 

I spent some time with Agarita Annie discussing transitions and suggested runs on a few stages before it was soon time for Jack to do the Posse Marshal walk through.

 

Saturday morning and we are up bright and sparky early to go join the rest for Day 1 of the main match. Posse 1 headed by Jack, with myself, Wild Horse John, Wildcat Cliff, Lil Chicadee, Buzzard Wawkin, Duelly, Kid Canyon, Semi Colon, Home Range, Prairie Wind, Prairie Lightning, Prairie Sheriff, Blazen Vaquero, Sonora Blaze and Rooster Rick.

 

The sky was blue and cloudless, the sun bright and scorching as we set down into the 'bowl' for stages 1-5. A slight relieving breeze came through around stage 3.

Jack didn't start off crash hot but finished out the first 5 strong and I was clean.

 

Beer and relaxation was looking good for the end of day 1.

It's like dejavu as we head out Sunday morning for stages 6-10. Water was being consumed at a fast rate by all competitors and we were finished when the breeze started around 11.30am.

Clean match for me and just 1 miss the previous day for Jack. We had a great posse and even with 3 little Buckaroo's we got through our stages with everyone working efficiently.

 

Lunch was again provided by the barbecue place in Wellington. Saturday was pulled brisket and succulent turkey on buns and for Sunday lunch it was superb, fall off the bone, rubbed ribs. Sensational!

Awards started soon after and got done by about 2pm. Congratulations to the Pawnee Station Vindicators for another great match.

Jack was 1st in Silver Senior, 2nd Neuces Slim, 3rd John Mosby.

 

Congratulations to my fellow Lady Wrangler in 2nd place Pauline Mosby.

 

Jack had won Speed Pistol in the side matches and the Cowboy Challenge.

I took 1st overall with Avery Wade 1st cowboy overall in 2nd place! Congrats cowboy!

 

Thank you to all involved wih putting the match on. I know your number were down with other shoots on and it not being a state titles this year but your range beautification efforts, target placement and stages were great.

Kat xo

 

Hell On Wheels

Posted on by kathousekelli70

As the Union Pacific roll's by on the nearby tracks of the Otto Road shooting club, the Border Vigilantes held their annual Hell On Wheels match this past weekend the 29 June-1st July.

Situated 8 miles west of Cheyenne, 233 shooters headed out for the match. Friday was side match day with a morning and afternoon 4 stage warm up, as well as speed side events and long range.

Saturday was 6 stages of main match and after coming from End Of Trail the target distances and sizes were somewhat different. The stages were reasonable with some longer runs between positions. At the end of the day I was clean and Jack had a couple of issues.

 

Saturday lunchtime after we finished shooting a storm came through which would be good for settling the dust and stopping the marble like granite dust from rolling under your feet across each stage! The temperature dropped by about 20 degrees.

 

Sunday took a cooler start for the morning requiring jacket and gloves for a few stages, we headed in to the next and last 6 stages of the match. We had an awesome posse headed by Pick along with Tin Lizzy, Avery Wade, Roy's Creek Dan, Highland Scottie, Gabby Gertie, West Okie Wayne, Loose Cannon, Coyote Cole, Burnt Bacon, Dapper Dynamite Dick, Della, Bandana Bob, Phantom, Mountain Menace, Pinewood Kid, Pinewood Rose and Cactus Jim.

 

Not fabulous for Jack and 1 miss for me so we would see how it would turn out in the wash. I won a few side matches and did the shootout – final round with Avery Wade.

 

Jack finished 2nd in category and 15th overall. Congrats to the other Silver Senior's and to Angry Tom who took 1st place.

 

Congrats to the fellow Lady Wrangler shooters!

 

I had a good finish 1st cowgirl and 8th overall with White Lightning Jack from New Zealand finishing 1st overall!

 

Congratulations to all who entered and thanks to the Border Vigilantes for our Hell On Wheels visit.

Kat xo

 

End of Trail 2018

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's that time of year where cowboys and cowgirls come together for one of the biggest weeks of shooting.

 

The World Championship of cowboy action shooting is the agenda at Founders Ranch, New Mexico. Five countries – Australia, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and United States of America competed for the top honor's in both Wild Bunch and Cowboy matches.

This year, as previously reported, we decided to forego Wild Bunch and headed to Cortez prior to this week.

Monday: picked up packs, caught up with friends and readied ourselves for the week ahead. A pleasant surprise was my picture on The Independent for Cowboy Days in Edgewood/Moriarty. Thanks to Cat Ballou the photo BT Blade took of me during Wild Bunch last year was used for their front cover!

 

Tuesday: we did 6 stages of warm up and attempted to get acclimatised to the altitude whilst running uphill or across some of the stages.

Tuesday evening we had a great trip up Sandia Tramway with dinner beforehand at Sandiago's grill with the Range Riders (from Australia) – Pearl Starr, Charlie Wagon, Judge Ruger, Tumbleweed Wagon, Sarah, Stan Wellback and Dallas Roarke.

 

Wednesday: Doily Gang Clinic was on, instructing with Honey B Quick, Shamrock Sadie, Lefty Jo, Two Sons. We had 18 ladies attend the transitions clinic, some returning for the 2nd or 3rd time and others their very first.

Plainsman, shotgun clinics and side matches were on. Cowboy swap meet, vendors are open and the crowds are starting to increase.

The evening kicked off with the opening ceremonies, Tumbleweed Wagon carried the flag for Australia.

 

The Wooly Awards were announced with Texas Jack Daniels receiving one as 2017 Governor of the year and The Territorial Marshal's with match directors Missouri Mae and Flat Top Okie took 2017 Match of the Year for Red Dirt Rampage.

 

The class of 2018 Regulators were announced! Congratulations to each and every one!

 

Thursday: first day of main match and we had the late wave start. It's hot, dusty but ready for action! Stages 1-4.

 

Friday: second day of main match, mid wave, stages 5-8, shopping with vendors and we're still having fun!

 

Saturday: it's the final 4! With the cooler very early start we were soon done and all up to the total scores to see where we all finished. We had a great posse – Posse 25 with posse marshal Chickamauga Charlie, Polly Penny Bright, Coffee, Shotgun Boogie, Hell Hound, Rephil, TinTin, Slow Hand Don, Dutch Bear, Justice Ann, Coal Train, Buck Garrett, Chantilly Shooter, Hot Rock, Hud, Hawkeye Kid, Pearl Starr, Charlie Wagon, Jack and myself.

With the posse shoot done, it was lunch, ice cream and head back to get ready for the banquet.

 

I attended the costume contest and was 2nd place in the new Steampunk category. Congratulations to EZGZ in 1st place. Congratulations to all other category winners and placings! There were some fabulous costumes!

 

The beer flowed, the music played and some showed off their dance skills.

The top 8 Wild Bunch men's and ladies were announced, as was the top 16 cowboys and cowgirls. Clancy and I were the only two Australians to make the shootout this year for cowboy match and RC Shot for the Wild Bunch shootout as an alternate.

 

Sunday: the shootout gets under way. Congratulations to Idaho Sixgun Sam and Last Chance Morales for winning not only the shootout but overall top lady and man for 2018 Wild Bunch.

The cowboy shootout is run and final finish was Holy Terror for the ladies and C.S. Brady for the men.

Jack finished 10th in his category with 1st place going to Long Swede, 2nd Hell's Comin, 3rd Silver City Rebel, 4th Angry Tom, 5th Lucky Thirteen, 6th Texas Mean Gene, 7th Fast Eddie, 8th Kansan and 9th El Lazo. Congratulations Silver Senior's on your placings!

 

In Lady Wrangler category, 10th Wild Cattle Kate, 9th Ms. Laurie Darlin, 8th Ex Sighted, 7th Young Lady, 6th Ruby Jewel, 5th Idaho Sixgun Sam, 4th Legally Loaded, 3rd Clancy, 2nd Echo Meadows who cheekily offered to hold my World Championship trophy again. Lol! Congratulations ladies!

 

Out of 22 Aussie's 14 placed, 2 received Spirit of the Game awards, 2 placed in costume and if I remember correctly, 6 or 7 got clean matches.

Overall winners this year were Matt Black and Holy Terror. Congratulations to two fine young shooters!

 

For everyone who attended End of Trail 2018, may it have been with goals achieved. Whether your first ever or multiple entry, I sincerely hope you enjoyed the experience.

Kat xo

 

Stampede At South River

Posted on by kathousekelli70

This year The South River Shootists hosted the 2018 SASS Georgia State Championship – Rooster Cogburn and the Lady.

The South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia is a fabulous facility for multiple shooting sports, a club house and great amenities. It was nice to meet Len (president of the club) and Dun Gamblin' as they roamed the range during the weekend.

The cowboy range is spectacular. Tree lined berms, shade structures, umbrellas on unloading tables, shade over loading tables. The facades were all done with Rooster and Eula, throw in the odd horse, nitro box, wagon etc. Every range has fine gravel base and the paths down to the ranges are all asphalt making for a pleasant guncart expedition.

The weather cooperated (who'd have thought!?!?) and other than a fine misty shower or two it held out for the whole match!!

Thursday we shot 4 stages of Wild Bunch Posse'd with Cardboard Cowboy, Foxy Filly, Bo Dacious, Doc Kemm, Doc Who, Knot Hardly Dunn, Shamrock Sadie, Three Gun Lady, Silver Pistols, Slippery Stew, Doc Southerly, Kontankerous Tee, Rolan Kraps, and Schofield Twin. We then went our separate ways with Jack doing 6 stages of Black Powder while I spent the afternoon doing warm up stages. A big thank you to Reno Mustang and Dodge City Dixie for letting me rest my guns in your guncart!

 

That night Georgia Gypsy and Pale Ale Rider invited us into their home. Along with some other cowboy's and cowgirl's we enjoyed some great German food by Chef Gypsy. (she is an actual chef!) We thank you both for your fabulous hospitality.

Friday and we are into the main match with 6 stages today followed up with ice cream social, couples and team shoot. A great day, a few fumbles, a miss for each of us but tomorrow's another day as we say. Great Posse, everyone worked, some newer shooters as well – Jack and I, Shamrock Sadie, Knot Hardly Dunn, Double Tap, No Limit, Mt Zion Gypsie, Mt Zion Yellowboy, Maverick Fitzpatrick, Tucker T Fudpucker, Fancy Fillie, Buckshot Collins, Hambone Hannah, Doc Kemm, Doc Who, Dollar Down, Gatlin Glennie and Ranger Law.

 

Saturday comes around and we have the final 4 to do. With that out of the way we had lunch and headed down for the shoot off. An 'anyone can enter' shoot off, Shamrock Sadie and I decided to join the Open category ie: we shot wih the men and if we both hadn't fumbled with shotgun reloads we would have made it past our first rounds!

 

Good fun and it freed up the other ladies to enjoy a shootout. Congratulations to Sue Render and Red River Ray for winning the shootout!!

Back to the motel and it's time to get ready for the banquet and awards. The banquet was held at the Georgia International Horsepark in the Carriage Room. What a beautiful facility with a gorgeous rose garden, bridge, pond and a summer house/pergola – perfect for the LOCAS picture.

 

Had the opportunity to enter the costume contest this time wearing my silver and purple saloon outfit I won first place. Congratulations to all the other winners and spectacular costumes!

 

The banquet had a full service bar and staff attending to a beautiful buffet dinner. The food was amazing.

Into the awards and the match hosts certainly go all out with their awards, prize draws etc. Jack and I won the couples shoot. A buckle with a timber insert laser engraved with the logo etc.

Wild Bunch – I managed a clean match and was the only one who did. haa haa haa cracked me up! So a neat clean match pin, I won Ladies Traditional and Ladies Overall. Jack won Senior Modern, well done man!

 

Black Powder – Jack's rifle played up on the final stage of Wild Bunch which turned out to being a lost firing pin. He went to use the rifle on his first stage of the Black Powder match (thankfully rifle was first) and it wouldn't do anything. Believe it or not he found the pin up on the stage where he last shot for Wild Bunch too. As is the cowboy way, another shooter then says 'here, use mine, here is some ammo' and Jack is able to continue to shoot. Thank you Palmetto Traveller for loaning Jack your rifle. Jack placed 3rd in Senior.

Main Match – Jack finished a credible 2nd place in Senior category! Congratulations to Double Nickle 1st place, Mustang Dave 3rd place, Rooster Ray 4th place and Georgia State Champion and 5th place, Dungannon Gunner! Congrats gents.

 

I won Lady Wrangler with congratulations going to Georgia State Champion and 2nd Place Dixie Pistols, 3rd place Alchemist Belle, 4th place Cotton Tail, 5th place Pinky Pistols! Congrats ladies.

 

Congratulations to Georgia State overall men's Christian Mortician and Maggie Darlin' over all ladies. Christian Mortician and myself men's and ladies overall match champions!

 

The Top 20 also received a pin – for me, 14th overall.

Thank you again to all involved with the match, volunteers, sponsors to the match, etc. Stampede at South River was a great match and I would recommend it to anyone! It's a must do match!

Kat xo

 

Can’t Beat A Good Match

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The Great Spaghetti Western is one of those annual matches that are just a super, fun time, cowboy match that strives to give everyone a great experience.

It had been raining Friday but by the time we arrived at the range it had stopped, leaving it particularly damp, slippery and muddy but then we've had that the last 3 matches so I guess this weekend shouldn't be any different, right?

 

Saturday and Sunday turned out to be beautiful days with plenty of sunshine and a temperature increase into the 80's.

Ready, set, go! The match started with the pledge, prayer and the beautiful Abbey Hayes singing the National anthem. Seven posse's started into 5 stages with a bang. Saturday we did stages 6 through 10.

In the afternoon we did side matches including the super stage. Great fun using 4 pistols, 2 rifles and 1 shotgun. What a hoot that is! Jack and I both ended up winning the men's and ladies for that.

Then it was drinks time with friends and dinner on the range provided by the Cowboy Church. Things got a little bit crazy but we all had a great time and that's what it's all about!

 

Sunday and I'm feeling a little seedy but it's time to get into the last 5 stages (1 thru 5). Jack and I had a great posse to shoot with – Aint Dunnit, Cat Daddy Carson, Colorado Jackson, Whiskey Kid, Panhandle Cowgirl, Silver Sam, Shakie Tex, Lil Magill, Brazos Belle, Crooked Bullet, Lamesa Kid, Choctaw Al, Kansas City Sneed, Oklahoma Dee and Forty Dog Kid.

 

Lunch, LOCAS photos and awards ensued. Complicated Lady took the advantage at the LOCAS picture time to pass the Number 1 pin along to Pistol Packin' Pami.

 

Smokin' Limey loved her shirt that I had surprised her with when I gave her Cadburys chocolate (she likes the Aussie version better than the pommie and US versions). I got the Union Jack flag fabric when I was back in Australia (of all places) and thought of her straight away. Suffice to say she absolutely loves it.

 

Jack came 1st in Silver Senior's with Lefty Wheeler 2nd and Texas Mean Gene 3rd. He finished 13th overall.

 

I had a good match, finished clean and 1st in Lady Wrangler with Calamity Di Bar 2nd, Honey B Graceful 3rd and Okie Fenokie 4th.

I managed 3rd overall and 1st lady. Congratulations to Rusty Remington taking the top honor's!

 

A huge thank you to all The Texas Ten Horn's, once again you have put on a great match and with the addition of the new range's it flowed perfectly. Thanks for having us!

Kat xo

 

Land Run 2018

Posted on by kathousekelli70

When we first visited Oklahoma for Land Run back in 2012, we found it to be one of the best matches we had ever been to. We met many amazing, funny and wonderful people, knowing from the start that it was something special.

This year Land Run had its 25th Anniversary combined with the SASS SW Regional (previously Red Dirt Rampage) with one enormous effort by many of the Territorial Marshal's. It is the third largest cowboy match in the US behind End of Trail (World Championships) and Winter Range (USA National Championship).

 

With 408 shooters from 22 states put into two shooting waves, 10 stages were quickly completed across 2 days.

Thursday was side match day with everything from Wild Bunch, Warm-Up, Long Range, Cowboy Clays, speed pistol/rifle/shotgun/derringer/pocket pistol/duelist/gunfighter and .22 rifle/pistol. It was a feast for play, practice and testing of guns with your first run counting for time. Congratulations to all side match winners!!!

Friday was the start of Main Match and we were met with cool clear skies and sunshine. Eventually we could leave the coat off and enjoy some warmth and less wind.

 

We were with Posse 18 headed up by Posse Marshal, Cooncan. Jack was a Deputy, as was John Bear and the rest made up of myself, Bertie Winchester, Hicock Holly, Dodge City Dixie, Reno Mustang, Renegade Roper, Sixgun Schwaby, Coyote Cole, Loose Cannon, Grady County Kid, Road Runner, Fannie Kicker, Titus A. Gnatsass, Doc Hurd, Silver, Kent and Fort Worth Dallas.

 

Five stages – 8 The Church, 9 Stagecoach, 10 The Range, back to 6 Fort Courage, 7 OKc Corral. Fun, quick and varying.

 

Friday evening ended with an 'all in' shootout. I chose not to enter this year but set to cheer on the fellow lady shooters, opting to spot with Jack and Hurricane Deck for each shooter on the north end. Four ladies and 29 men participated with the winners being 'Ima Quickshot' and 'Matt Black'.

This was followed up with a dinner in the pavilion catered by John Elder's restaurants. No one went hungry and it was efficiently done.

I was introduced to chocolate cake shots too – thanks Complicated Lady!! Yum!

Late that evening (as was expected) it started to rain and Saturday we all awoke to a very, very, wet and gloomy looking morning. Cowboy up we did and headed out to complete the final 5 stages. Hand warmers, coats, scarves, slickers, umbrellas, towels, everyone scrambling for what bit of cover there was.

The final five – 3 Mercantile, 4 The Mine, 5 Livery, 1 The Depot, 2 Saloon

 

Done and dusted! A clean match for me and Jack a few misses, it was up to the scoring system now to see how we faired against a tough pack of players.

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is the famed setting for Land Run banquets and you couldn't find anything more appropriate for a bunch of cowboy's and cowgirl's. Served meals and waited tables it certainly is in a class of its own and pleasantly surprised a number of new Land Run attendees.

 

The costume contest ran well and whilst I registered and encouraged entrants, my judge's for this year – Cheeka Bow Wow, Two Gun Johnnie, Shotglass and Tacky Jackie did an exceptional job of getting everyone through and we were all sitting down to hot meals with other halves and friends. I sincerely thank you all again for giving your time to do this.

There were many great costumes and some very excited winners in the categories of Couple, Men's, Ladies, Young Man, Young Lady, Military, Silver Screen and Soiled Dove. Congratulations one and all!

The presentations went off without a hitch as Flat Top Okie does an exceptional job of delivery and keeping to time. Everyone's friends and match photographers, Fly and Just L, chipped in for a raffle of a beautiful cowboy quilt Mean Mary had made. Grizzly Dave won it and promptly donated back for auction. On top of the original $3075 raised, an additional $800 by the generosity of Tacky Jackie and Bois D'Arc who then also gave the quilt to Just L and $500 from a rifle Mean Mary won and donated back for auction. Gorgeous people, all of them and that will go a long way to Just L's continued medical expenses.

 

In the Silver Senior category Jack finished 5th alongside Don Jorge taking 1st place, congratulations sir!, Aberdeen 2nd and SW Regional champion, congratulations to you sir also!, 3rd Greasy Creek Slim, 4th Lefty Wheeler, 6th G.W. Ketchum and 7th Creek. Congratulations gents!

 

Jack also came 2nd place in the Best Dressed Men's category wearing his 1890's sack suit!

 

Out of all the shooters there were only 54 clean shooters which goes to show the conditions on the second day probably had a lot to do with that.

In the Lady Wrangler category, 1st was myself alongside 2nd place Renegade Roper, 3rd Calamity Di Bar and 4th Cheeka Bow Wow. Congrats ladies!

 

I accomplished an overall ladies win for the Regional this year and with a clean match, finished 14th overall! Matt Black won the men's overall, congratulations!

 

To all that placed in their categories, won side matches, clean matches, won guns etc (thank you Bond Arms for the .45 derringer) a hearty round of applause to one and all.

To the Territorial Marshal's, Match Director's – Missouri Mae and Flat Top Okie and all the other Marshal's for your assistance during the past week and weekend, without you all, this shoot would not run like the well oiled machine that it is.

Looking forward to next year and if you've never been here to Land Run, get it on your calendar or bucket list!!

 

See you on the range somewhere.

Kat xo