We made it by high noon, in time for the side matches. In addition to the normal array of speed matches, they had a .22 Gallery with categories for 1911 pistols, revolvers and cowboy rifles and an Extreme Shotgun stage with 22 knockdowns including a Texas Star. It was a blast to shoot but it took me an hour to catch my breath afterwards. I had so much fun I had to do it again before the side matches ended. Your first score was recorded on side matches and if you felt like you could beat that score you could declare it before you shot and if it beat your original score it would be recorded. You could practice as much as you wanted but only declare once. I had never seen side matches done this way but I liked it.
Papa Dave, CW Knight, Alchemist Belle and Branchwater Jack also shot the Wild Bunch Match. After all shooting was finished on Thursday we had a fish fry on the patio of the range restaurant for $6, all you could eat, what a deal.
Friday morning following a brief Safety Meeting we started the first 5 stages of the Main Match. Mose Spencer had some really good stages with a good amount of choice on how you shot them.The morning started a little cool and later got a little damp, but not bad. After the Friday stages were finished we were treated to lunch on the range and then Team Matches. 3 person teams were picked on the range and shot 3 stages that included speed, long distance accuracy, team work and fun.
Friday night we were treated to a lasagna dinner before we moved to the Vendor Mall for Side Match Awards. Papa Dave won the .22 Gallery 1911 award and I won the .22 Gallery Revolver award. I was taking pictures so didn't get the award winners written down, but I took Sweet Sister Kit and Lead Ringers pictures several times each. I met Cowboy Carty for the first time, who won Speed Rifle with a time of 2.64 shooting one of his Marlins. Missouri Lefty had to go to school on Thursday and got to the range 10 minutes before the side matches closed. He was talked into grabbing his rifle and loading up. He only made 1 try and won Buckaroo Speed Rifle with a time of 2.75. I'm sorry I left out many winners but as I said I didn't get it written down.
Saturday morning brought more threatening weather and the final 5 stages. We shot most of the day in a light rain but fortunately it never got too bad. Things were going pretty well till our last stage when Dodge City Dixie went down on a wet floor while shooting the Church stage. She hurt her knee and foot but never lost control of her guns. I hope it wasn't anything serious. Due to the weather, after the last stages were finished, Mose had the lunch on the range moved to the restaurant. After lunch we had time to head back to the bunk house and rest up for the banquet.
The banquet theme was a Cattle Baron's Ball and many Cowboys and Cowgirls were dressed to the nines.
We were treated to a Prime Rib dinner and Mose said we should thank MJ for that. There were lots of door prizes and raffles but I didn't manage to win any of them. After dinner we had the Best Dressed Awards and then the Main Match Awards were handed out.
Missouri Lefty was the Top Gun of the match, followed by Prestidigitator, Lead Ringer, Cowboy Carty, Blackfish Kid, Frisco Red, Duke Skywalker, Copperhead Joe, Faygo Kid and Don Jorge rounded out the Top 10.
Dew R Dye was the Top Lady followed by Sweet Sister Kit, Lefty's Lady, Miss Hitem and Miss Behavin'.
Wartrace was represented well,
Cumberland Drifter was 1st 49r.
Papa Dave, 1st Range Boss.
CW Knight, 6th Silver Senior.
Randy Saint Eagle, 1st Senior Duelist.
Reno Mustang, 6th 49r.
Branchwater Jack, 2nd Frontier Cartridge Duelist.
Dodge City Dixie, 2nd B-Western Ladies.
Alchemist Belle, 3rd Cowgirl.
Blackwater Desperado, 3rd Frontiersman.
Complete Scores Here.
I wasn't able to take any match pictures but here is a link to the awards photos.
Main and Side Match Awards
I just have to again congratulate Missouri Lefty for being the Overall Champion and shooting the match "Clean", quite an accomplishment for a Buckaroo and I know his Mom, Missouri Sweetie, and Dad, Missouri Traveller, are very proud of him.
After the awards were over T-Bone Dooley cranked up the Karaoke and it wasn't long before Blackwater Desperado was belting out some tunes and if you've ever heard Blackwater and his band Milkbone, you know he can sing.
Mose and Bella always put on a fantastic match and if you left hungry it was your own fault, every meal except breakfast was covered. Thanks also to the Kaskaskia Cowboys and all the others who helped make this a Great Match.
Don't forget the second leg of the Triple Crown is coming up in less than a month. Shootout at Hard Times, The SASS Ohio State Championship May 24-26 in Piqua Ohio. And the final leg, Ambush at Caverns Cove, The SASS Alabama State Championship October 4-6 in Woodville Alabama.
The next match at Wartrace will be the May 4th Cowboy Match, Safety Meeting at 9:30 for more info always check out our website.
Hope to see you at match down the road,
Happy Trails, until we meet again.
Happy Trails, until we meet again.
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