Cowboy mounted shooting

Cowboy mounted shooting (also called western mounted shooting and mounted shooting) is a competitive equestrian sport involving the riding of a horse to negotiate a shooting pattern. Depending on sponsoring organizations, it can be based on the historical reenactment of historic shooting events held at Wild West Shows in the late 19th century. Modern events use blank ammunition certified to break a target balloon within twenty feet instead of live rounds.

In the spirit of the soldier and cowboy, one organization, the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) was created in the mid 1990s for equestrians and cowboy action shooters to participate in a competitive shooting sport while riding horseback. The Mounted Shooters of America was formed in 2000. Mounted shooters may belong to either or both associations.

Mounted Shooting requires competitors to use single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles chambered in pistol calibers, and side-by-side double-barreled shotguns. Single Action Semiautomatic firearms, also known as self-cocking firearms, are also allowed in special military cavalry and Wild Bunch events (named after the 1969 Western movie of the same name that used more modern firearms). In general firearms, and their modern manufactured replicas, used in the sport are of the pre-1900 American West and Military eras.

All events, whether for Old West living history or shooting competitions, are directed by a certified mounted range officer who must be knowledgeable of firearm safety, event organization, and horsemanship. The direction of a mounted range officer helps to ensure the safety of the competitor, spectators, and volunteers at all events.

In the early years, mounted shooting competitors were required to wear clothing of the American west, Classic B-Western Movies, or military cavalry uniforms of any time period or country. Today, the most that is required is modern cowboy clothing with chinks or chaps, long-sleeved shirt and a cowboy hat. The Mounted Shooters of America does not require chinks or chaps except for showcase events at major venues.

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