Tag Archives: United States of America

Wild Bunch World Championship

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What an exceptional weekend of weather and shooting for the 2017 Wild Bunch World Championships.

Plenty of action and plenty of rounds down range. It certainly was a challenging match but the stages were fun.

This match definitely called for precision and by the time I got to day 3 I had worked out a better grip, better arm control and keeping my head aligned. What more could a cowgirl want! Just happened at the wrong end of the match! Haaa Haa Haa

Neither Jack or I had particularly stunning matches in the good sense but we weren't the only ones.

 

We had a great Posse with Jim Milker, Texas Tiger, Back Forty, Shell Stuffer, Lawless Lil, Molly Magoo, Rum Walker, Capitan Regulator, Trigger Happy Ted, Beaver John, Billy The Avenger, Wild Horse John, Squibber, Macon A Longshot, Grizzly Peak Jake, Duke City Deadeye, Calhoun Kid, Blaze Kinkaid, Jackaroo and myself.

We also had the 285 Scout troop picking up brass and painting targets for us.

This year we didn't do any side events but from what I heard there was a lot of fun and some great wins!

Costume contest was carried out with EZ GZ taking 1st Place, Dixie Bell 2nd Place and Kathouse Kelli 3rd. Men's was Captain George Baylor in 1st Place and Wild Horse John 2nd.

 

The Wild Bunch awards were held separate this year to the cowboy match. Santa Fe Brewing Company supplied the kegs to the bar, Pizza Barn provided pizza for the dinner (awesome pizza by the way and frequented often by many a cowboy shooter!) and so began the handing out of awards.

Congratulations to all shooters who placed in their category!

Wild Bunch Modern – Last Chance Morales

Wild Bunch Senior Modern – Evil Roy

Wild Bunch Lady Modern – Idaho Six Gun Sam

Wild Bunch Senior Lady Modern – Secondfiddle Sue

Wild Bunch Traditional – Capitan Regulator

Wild Bunch Senior Traditional – Marshal Stone

Wild Bunch Lady Traditional – Lady Jane

Wild Bunch Senior Lady Traditional – Lawless Lil

 

Congratulations to my fellow Lady Traditional shooters 1st Place Lady Jane, 2nd Place Lacey Doyly and myself in 3rd.

Phew! What a match!

Kat xo

 

Now, Where Were We?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Oh yeah, so last Thursday we were heading here to Albuquerque, breakfast on the way, making a quick stop in Weatherford at the Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum….as you do.

We have driven past it a number of times and it's the usual, 'we should stop and have a look at that place one day'. So this day we finally did!

 

In we trotted. To give some small background General Thomas P. Stafford is a well respected Oklahoman, and indeed throughout the nation, a man who was an author, fighter pilot, astronaut and test pilot. He commanded Apollo missions.

 

Inside the museum there are a number of planes from the Wright brothers days to the Lindbergh non stop Atlantic flight in the Spirit of St Louis, WWI fighters, experimental aircraft and modern day marvels.

 

Then there is a whole section on space exploration including the Russian joint missions during the space race. There are replicas of satellite launchers from around the world and unique information boards to imagine how much 'John Deere' horsepower it would take to fire up just one F-1 engine.

Go on, you're dying to know right? Try 56,000 John Deere 9620R tractors equivalent! The Saturn V rocket used 5 engines so that's enough tractors to reach from Weatherford, OK to San Francisco, CA or 283,800 tractors end to end.

 

Anyway, from the information we read in the museum Stafford was a very influential man both in flight and space, not only flying during service, commanding missions in space but teaching others to do the same and his expertise in these fields earned him the highest honours and Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

 

All in all, this was a neat little museum and is worth a visit, takes about an hour.

 

Now it's been a wild weekend but I'll get to that tomorrow after the Wild Bunch dinner and awards are done.

Kat xo

P.S. Well it's today now as the bugs were finding the light of the iPad in the darkness last night. Wild Bunch Awards and dinner tonight. Will do Wild Bunch blog tonight! 🙂

 

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

 

Convicts and Crimes

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well we all know that Australia was colonised by convicts in the late 1700's for some (my ancestors included) for as little as stealing a loaf of bread!

So getting on with it, we were introduced to a wine called 19 Crimes in Oklahoma of all places. A South Australian wine that I hate to admit, have never experienced in my native country of Australia!

Yes you heard it right. I have never seen this in Aus, although I will look for it when I go back because it's bloody nice! Our bottle-o (aka liquor store) up the road has 3 versions in stock. Red Blend, Cab Sav, The Warden Reserve. Thanks to San Jacinto Joe, Jack and I regularly partake in a tipple of 19 Crimes now.

THEN I get to the hairdressers this week and Jenny says “have you tried 19 Crimes?” and we have a whole discussion about this wine.

So wanting to confirm and find out more about the corks and the crimes listed I hopped over to google this arvo and checked out their site. Go have a look for yourself, even tells you about the convicts pictures featured on the bottles.

The corks have a number and the corresponding crime on it. For example #14. Counterfeiting the copper coin or #1. Grand larceny, theft above the value of one shilling.

Pretty neat! So I've been helping San Jacinto Joe finish collecting his 19 and Jack and I have started collecting ours.


Then I opened the reserve tonight to find #2. Hyde Park Barracks. Now I know this is in Sydney so this gets me to thinking that the Warden Reserve must feature the prisons that the convicts were sent to!?

Anyway, delish wine! Loving it! Check it out!

Kat xo

 

The Great Spaghetti Western

Posted on by kathousekelli70

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.

 

2nd Amendment Theme Park

Posted on by kathousekelli70

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

 

Zion National Park

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Thursday and it's time to head out again! Yes, we are cramming in as much as possible in the few days we have here.

Zion National Park, a must see, when visiting the St. George, Utah area. A wonder of beauty, red sandstone and rugged terrain.

Winding roads lead to nine various points of interest, walking trails and many many photo opportunities. We went up through the 1 mile tunnel capturing some stunning scenery along the way including deer to the side of the road, a missed photo opportunity for those.

 

Returning through the tunnel we made our way along from the Zion Lodge and through to The Grotto Trailhead. The walking trail here would lead you on and up the path to Angel's Landing. A trail that reaches the summit with the final path being a mere 2foot wide and a chain fence (sorry I mean a chain between two posts and so on!) to hang on. With correct footwear, bit more fitness and during summertime I would think about attempting that one!

 

Onward to the Temple of Sinawava. We did the 2 mile Riverwalk trail. Ambling along the canyon alongside the river, the water and it's pale emerald colour which is in fact perfectly crystal clear and exceptionally cool. Yes of course I put my hand in! 🙂

 

After we got done there we headed back into Springdale to Wildcat Willie's for a great lunch, a beer and well, ended up buying some of the beer glasses!

 

Next it was get back into town and onto Dixie and TL's for dinner. What a fabulous evening, not only for drooling over every corner of their fabulous home, but for the exceptional company and guests – Dixie, TL, Virgil, Allie, Pat, Twelve Mile Reb, Dusty Garnet and Juan Bad Hombre.

Oh and thanks for the use of your sewing machine Dixie! Love your sewing room 😉

Kat xo

P.S. We did go past the cowboy range where Dixie Desperado's shoot at the Southern Utah Shooting Sports Park! We will come back to shoot one day, enjoy your Wild Bunch club match tomorrow.

 

Jacob Hamblin House

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Santa Clara, part of Washington County, Utah, is the original settlement of 1854 in the St George area.

We visited the home of Morman missionary, Jacob Hamblin and had a short tour talk by Sister Bunnting.

Along with 6 other families, he was sent to the Santa Clara area by Mormon prophet Brigham Young (for those of the modern day world, you should remember that name from the Hell On Wheels series) into the Cotton Mission known as 'Dixie'.

Jacob Hamblin was a missionary and conduit to the Indians for many years, living with them and assisting in the movement of Indian trains to California. He wore a red bandana which symbolised he was a friend to the Indians.

 

He was trusted by the Indians and often stood up for them in dealings with the Government and other people. He was a quite shy man who never showed anger or fear as that was known as a sign of weakness to the Indians.

The fort the Mormons came to in Santa Clara was situated close to the Santa Clara River. When the great flood of the Santa Clara and Virgin Rivers occurred in the 1800's it took out 3 sides of the fort. Hamblin then built this house high up on the hillside where he hoped another flood would not reach them.

 

At the time he had 2 wives, one in each of the front side rooms and of the 24 children they raised (some were adopted) 10 lived in this home. Jacob would have slept in the central room.

 

The table setting interestingly enough is set as they used it then. Chairs were turned facing out so you would kneel to pray before eating. Once prayers were said you would turn your seat around to eat. The plates were set face down literally to avoid dust and dirt on your plate but no explanation as to why the silverware (cutlery) was placed as is.

 

Later a room was dug out at the back of the central room and used as their root vegetable cellar. The saddle displayed in this room was Jacob's. The pouch on the side of the saddle was for his scriptures and although he carried a gun he believed the word was mightier. The hobbles hanging on the wall were used so the horses could graze without wandering off when he was out on missions.

 

Into the left front room and on the mantle is pictures of two of his wives. There has been no picture of Rachel found but these are of Priscilla on the right and Louisa on the left. The furniture, quilt, rope beds and straw mattresses are all original.

 

Ascending a very narrow staircase into the upstairs room which was for the children for sleeping, church, schooling, teaching carding of cotton ready for spinning etc.

The central door on the front wall leads out to the slanted verandah roof where they used to lay food out for drying.

 

When they extended and dug out the hillside for the root cellar an additional upstairs back bedroom was added for the girls to have privacy.

 

Going outside the door to ground level the final piece of the tour was the rock piece displayed. When his wife Rachel died in 1865 he was away and he was so distraught that he couldn't be there to grieve with his children that he carved his name into a rock and the date she passed away. The petroglyphs on the rock are reportedly to have been there at the time of the inscription.

 

Anyway for a really brief bit of insight into Mormon roots and the cultural history of southern Utah this was a great little tidbit to start with.

Kat xo

For more info go to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Hamblin

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clara,_Utah

 

Winter Range Wrap Up

Posted on by kathousekelli70

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