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The Happy Trails Children’s Foundation Presents the Cowboy Fast Draw Shooting Competition
The Happy Trails Children’s Foundation held our first Cowboy Fast Draw shooting competition at Last Stand at Chimney Rock, the SASS Western Regional Championship held October 9 – 12, 2008 at Lion’s Pride Park in nearby Lucerne Valley, CA. There were almost 200 shooters in attendance and more than 40 participated in the Cowboy Fast Draw event. Participants got 10 shots for $5.00. All proceeds went to benefit abused children through the foundation. Some shooters liked Cowboy Fast Draw so much they shot it several times. Billy “Two Gun” Barnthouse (complete with his duded up car) helped set up the equipment and was on hand to assist the shooters throughout the weekend. Billy has been shooting Fast Draw since the 1960’s and performed several Cowboy Fast Draw shooting exhibitions for the education and entertainment of those watching. His help and expertise was invaluable!
Nick of Tombstone Leather in San Diego, CA was on hand and pledged to present a custom Cowboy Fast Draw belt and holster to the winner with the fastest time for the weekend match. The winner among the paying shooters was Trail Rider Bob of Phelan, CA with a fast time of .485. Trail Rider Bob is a super senior and in addition to riding regularly on some of the big trail rides in California and Nevada, he is a member of the Double R Bar Regulators, the local SASS club, where he participates in the monthly cowboy action matches.
Second place winner was Professor Fuller Bullspit with a time of .555. Third place went to Mojave Snake Doc with a time of .562. Both received CFDA (Cowboy Fast Draw Association) prizes presented by Billy “Two Gun.”
Our top lady shooter was Opal Rose with .822. Opal received a special gift basket with a bottle of Roy Rogers wine and other goodies from the Happy Trails Children’s Foundation.
Second place among the ladies was Diamond J at .991. Third place was won by Stagecoach Sally with a time of 1.086. Both won CFDA prizes presented by Billy.
The equipment and ammo worked flawlessly all weekend in spite of the high winds and blowing dust. Our first match was a success and everyone had a great time! We look forward to holding more competitions in the near future.
The Happy Trails Children’s Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization under the rules of the IRS. All donations are tax deductible.
Cowboy Fast Draw
Gunfight behind the Jersey Lily
Match Report
MATCH REPORT
by Dutch
Cowboy Fast Draw utilizes two 24” steel disk targets mounted vertically on two pipes standing on two steel bases. In the center of each disk is an LED light that is wired into a special computer. When the shooter is ready, the computer is activated with a 2 to 5 second delay. The computer then turns on both lights simultaneously and the contestants begin their draw. The computer records the fastest time or a miss. The shooters are standing 15’ from the targets which are positioned 50” above the ground. The contestants are shooting special .45 caliber shells with the primer pocket enlarged to accommodate a shotgun primer. The projectiles are wax bullets fired out of .45 caliber Single Action revolvers, which means that the hammer must be cocked before the gun will fire. These are the same type of guns that were used in the movies starring John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and Marshal Dillon in all the Westerns.
The annual Gunfight Behind the Jersey Lily was held at Raahauge’s Ranch near
Norco, CA, Thursday, October 23 through Sunday, October 26, 2008. Even though
the weather was a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, a great time was
had by all in attendance. There were approximately 300 SASS shooters present.
More than 40 of them tried Cowboy Fast Draw.
FIRST PLACE: DIAMONDS DAWSON with a blazing speed of .527, a tad over one half
of one second from reaction to draw, cock, aim and shoot. Top prize for first
place was a custom Cowboy Fast Draw holster and belt, donated by Nick of
Tombstone Leather in San Diego, CA. Diamonds also received a Cowboy Fast Draw
instructional DVD and a box of 50 special .45 shells.
SECOND PLACE: HANDLEBAR MAC with a fast time of .548. He will receive a Cowboy
Fast Draw DVD along with a box of 50 special .45 shells.
THIRD PLACE: CURLY DAN with a quick time of .551 will also receive a Cowboy Fast
Draw DVD along with a box of 50 special .45 shells.
HONORABLE MENTION goes to PARMALEE and YOUNGBLOOD. Both were consistently fast
shooters and received Cowboy Fast Draw DVD’s. I also want to acknowledge ADAM
CARTWRIGHT’S grandson, MAN WITH NO NAME. He is a junior shooter and did very
well with times faster than many of the adults. He will also receive a Cowboy
Fast Draw DVD. I predict that he will be a force to be reckoned with in cowboy
shooting in years to come.
The competition was quick and fun! Watch for us at other matches and give it a
try. Remember, you can shoot against your best friend, your worst enemy, or your
wife or girlfriend – if you’ve got the nerve!