We've all played cowboys and Indians. Some of us have dreamt of being like John Wayne, Roy Rogers or the Lone Ranger. The girls wanted to be like Annie Oakley and Belle Starr.
At Unity's Annual Western Days, there's a new event in town and it's garnering enthusiastic attention since being introduced in this province. Competitive cowboy mounted shooting is coming to this year's rodeo.
Cowboy mounted shooting is the fastest growing equine sport in North America. It is a dynamic, fast-paced sport where the competitors must not only have great horsemanship skills, but excellent marksmanship skills too, as they try to beat the clock. With 10 balloons arranged in a one of over 60 patterns, the competitor must correctly ride the course and shoot down all 10 balloons in the fastest time to win.
One of the biggest misconceptions is what is actually being shot out of the firearms - definitely not real bullets! The brass is filled with black powder and then crimped to hold it in. It is the black powder that bursts the balloon, with a maximum firing range of 20 feet. Two single action .45 calibre pistols are each loaded with five blank cartridges. The single action pistols must have the hammer drawn back each time to fire.
There is a growing number of competitors in these events, which include both rifle and shotgun events. The rifle class competitors use one single action pistol and one approved lever, pump or revolver rifle. The shotgun class competitors use one single action revolver and a double barrel shotgun.
In order to get involved in this exciting new competition, participants must first get their Canadian restricted firearms licence. It is then recommended to attend a new shooter orientation to get both rider and horse accustomed to the gunfire. It is also beneficial to contact your local club with your questions before getting started.
Participants in the 2013 Unity Western Days rodeo are from the Border Cowboys Mounted Shooters, based out of Lloydminster, and include members from all around the trading area. They will perform May 31 at 10 a.m. and June 1 at 9 a.m. The Unity performance is the first shoot of the Border Cowboys club's summer series. Other shoots are slated for Paradise Hill and Vermilion, Alta., in July, and Runfuly, Alta., in August with finals being held in conjunction with the professional chuckwagon finals in Lloydminster Aug. 16 to 18.
If you like watching a western movie, or have always admired the "ole West" way of life, you certainly will want to check out this newly popular equine event as part of Unity Western Days. The participants may be packing iron, but I guarantee they are all friendly - there is no need to be shy. It is sure to add a new flavour of excitement to this year's Western Days events and would be exciting to watch for all generations.
