Cowboy Mounted Shooting with Saddlebreds! [Archive]

deerridge

08-25-2009, 12:28 PM

I started competing in Cowboy Mounted Shooting five years ago on my then three year old five gaited filly, Tyra Banks. Quit an adventure at first. Now she's a certified shooting horse with five class wins and I'm starting a couple more horses. My three year old stallion Cherokee Dan is showing great promise. I took him too his first event a couple of weeks ago and he was superb!

vlayne

08-25-2009, 01:05 PM

Oh wow that looks like fun!!! You should send in your info to ASHA for an article in their magazine, or at least send the photo for their homepage. Neat stuff!

TrotAdmin

08-25-2009, 01:18 PM

Very cool. I have never heard of that - do you have any video on Youtube or anything. Great picture!

deerridge

08-25-2009, 01:20 PM

Actually I have. They ignored it. I have video's on U-tube and on multi-media on the ASHA website under the horses names. Check em' out, they're pretty fun. As far as I know mine are the only Saddlebreds in mounted shooting. THis is way more fun than horse shows and no judges just a time clock and number of balloons hit.

attafox

08-25-2009, 01:52 PM

I ride some parades with a guy who did mounted shooting on his ASB.

Vert

08-25-2009, 02:02 PM

Very cool! But no way would I be coordinated enough to ride and shoot at the same time. :)

deerridge

08-25-2009, 02:04 PM

I'd like to know who that is. I've never seen another one compete.

D_BaldStockings

08-25-2009, 02:05 PM

So are you also a re-enactor?

You are wonderfully skilled!

Thanks for posting another great way to enjoy SB's...any hubbies or SO's out there who might need a fun activity?

attafox

08-25-2009, 02:19 PM

He's in California.

deerridge

08-25-2009, 02:38 PM

There's almost 10000 shooters nation wide. I would like to see some more saddlebreds in the game. They're sure fast and agile enough and smarter than most horses.

vlayne

08-25-2009, 03:14 PM

Try again! Call and talk to someone in the marketing dept, maybe Brice. They are doing a lot of stories now on ASBs in alternative disciplines.

As for sending them pics, I've emailed them a dozen photos for the home page and have yet to see ONE be used, so that's probably a hard sell. I'm sure they get hundreds each month.

SADLUP

08-25-2009, 03:22 PM

VERY Cool!! Can you post a link to your utube vids?

Thanks,

Samigator

08-25-2009, 10:16 PM

that's awesome! Love your avatar pic. My hubby would probably like that- it would probably be an easy transition for him doing the pointing dog field trials where he already does both riding and shooting things. It would just be a matter of where to find competitions to go to.??? I know my 3 yr old ASB is pretty cool with gunfire, we shot blank guns very close to him (but not off of him) to prepare him for his first field trial and he did awesome- the brains on these guys have got to impress you!

Fanfare

08-25-2009, 10:56 PM

Tazsprout

08-26-2009, 07:45 AM

Fabulous, fabulous! Where are those video? Love to see them.!

katie

08-26-2009, 08:57 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKj6MGak3U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nK0O0yaZ9c

Very cool! My cousin is a mounted patrol officer and their horses are (of course) trained for shooting. It's always fun to go out and watch them play. :)

And I'm in love with your mare - SOOO pretty! I love how happy she looks.

3mares

08-26-2009, 09:38 AM

Tazsprout

08-26-2009, 10:48 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKj6MGak3U

whoohoo! go girl!

Pamela

08-26-2009, 11:41 AM

Very cool! You can tell the mare really likes doing it too. What about trying for an article in a non-Saddlebred publication, like Horse and Rider or Equus or something? That would get the exposure out there, sort of like the Tea with Miss Em article.

I agree...we ASB people know that our horses are cool and we know that they can be very versatile (even though their primary/best known use is the show horse)...Your experiences with your horses are perfect examples of this versatility and should be showcased as examples of the breed (i.e., there goes one of those crazy saddlebreds (the preconceived notion)...hey, lookie there...she can run around, under control and happy, in a smoky arena with a rider who is shooting at balloons and she stays sane?? wow! (the impression the horse leaves after seeing this exhibition!)

deerridge

08-26-2009, 12:58 PM

I added a couple of more video's of Tyra onto U-tube. They're from a June shoot. She's about 2 to 3 seconds per run faster now than those earlier video's I had up from 2006.

Most people don't realize that the Saddlebred was the mount of choice for Robert E. Lee, Jeb Stewuart, Custer, Grant. They were bred as Cavalry mounts and light carriage horses. The Amish sportscar now a days. Show Horse is just a way to show off your fine riding horse. Here's a couple of pictures of Cherokee Bob in the ring and headed down the road.

deerridge

08-26-2009, 01:25 PM

That is bada**. I really want to try that. I have been a fan for a while and it makes me very happy that another saddlebred rider beat me to it!

Naturally, I want more pics and a video. Maybe you should do an instructional video on it. What is Mounted Shooting? Why Saddlebreds do well at it? How to get started? LOL

Check out our Tennessee Ridge Runners website TRRCMSA.com I have a little intro video on there. Most most mounted shooters use quarter horses, Paints, Apps, typical western horses. There are also alot of Walking Horses (Trigger was one). Its a blast when you beat the quarter guys, they've got this only a quarter horse can run fast enough thing going on. Same reason I stay in the mens division instead of moving to Seniors. Its way more fun to beat the "kids".

D_BaldStockings

08-26-2009, 02:17 PM

I think this is the link?
http://www.trrcmsa.com/

What fun!

Fanfare

08-27-2009, 12:44 AM

Cool! Thanks. I was saying you should do a promo video featuring specifically your Saddlebred. Get a little double promotion going. ;) That is so cool! I am not so big on the cowboy get-up, but nevertheless, I'd do it. I'd do my hair Annie Oakly style. I might need to come to TN for some lessons. Do you guys ever travel to do demos or anything?

Oh my, your horse really is pretty. Does she have any markings or is she just soild black?

deerridge

08-27-2009, 10:19 AM

We're a small club. The big one is in middle Tennessee and the CMSA headquarters is in Columbia, Tn. (CMSA.com). The CMSA site has all the clubs and website's. We do local demo's in addition to our monthly compitition shoots, as do all the CMSA clubs. Our club is oriented toward the beggining shooter, allthough we have people in all class from 1 through 5. Non of our folks has made class 6 yet (the top). Tennessee Cmsa has the best in the world. They shoot out of Murphresboro (Miller Colisieum). The Regional Champainships are there this weekend and the Eastern US Championships are next week. Over a week of competition between the best shooters in the world. We have a local match on the 12th and the public is always welcome, free. All CMSA a members will help with anything you need. People will lone you guns, show you how to run the courses, even lone out a horse or two to get you started. That video of Dan is an exhibition or training ride in a local match. The best way to get your horse used to gunfire. Here's a picture of me on my quarter colt, Trigger, working as range master on a green three year old.

sparkle

08-27-2009, 05:31 PM

This is so neat. There was an exhibition one year at Equine Affaire (Ohio) and it was pretty cool to watch. My horse is getting use to gunfire since our neighbor shoots targets- however, it's not quite at that close range!! :ohmy: Considering I've never touched a gun in my life (well, do squirt guns count? :001_tt2: ), I'm sure I would shoot my foot off before I ever touched a balloon....

Where is your club located? I didn't see an address on your site, but maybe I missed it. My sister lives in Knoxville and we go down there fairly often- if you're halfway close, it would be fun to go see your gorgeous horse in action!! :yes:

Jackandmo

08-27-2009, 05:38 PM

Oh be still my beating heart!

I'm a descendant of JEB Stuart and Wesley Merritt, and I love talking about them and their ASBs :laugh:

I can shoot...and ride an ASB. Hmmmmmmm...the wheels are turning in my mind now!

Very, very, VERY cool stuff!

deerridge

08-28-2009, 10:13 AM

Listen here now!! This is very addictive stuff. You start shooting just once. The addreniline flows, your hooked for life. Be very afraid. The first couple of times I shot I still had little pads on Tyra. Haven't been to a horse show since.

Our club, the Tennessee Ridge Runners, shoots out Jonesborough, Tn, 90 miles east of Knoxville.

Fanfare, Tyra is solid black. Her sire was the black and white pinto, Tiger Woods. She won the Missouri Sweepstakes as a weanling and was making a killer five gaited when we got hooked on mounted shooting. Cherokee Dan is my future breeding stallion and headed to diversity and shooting with him, as you can see.

sunridge

08-28-2009, 10:52 AM

Wonderful! Great fun!

I once rode in a parade next to some CMS folks. They were cracking a whip as we rode but were asked to quit because "other" horses were unnerved. Echo never even blinked. Crazy ASB's.....

deerridge

08-29-2009, 10:59 AM

Most non saddlebred people have no real concept of the breed or realize where it came from. They look pumped up and ready to explode, but they'll march right through a hurricane if you'll go with em'.

Fanfare

08-29-2009, 11:57 AM

Samigator

08-29-2009, 12:07 PM

I was also told never to try reining or cutting cows by cutting/reining people. Same thing. It is addictive.

Oh my! So your horse is not only a new discipline Saddlebred Ambassador, she's a five-speed! There really isn't anything your horse couldn't do.

I am just loving this.

yeah you could really show off and get other people addicted to the breed by racking her through the pattern once they know how good she is!

deerridge

08-29-2009, 12:42 PM

She really is versital. I've shown her, competed in shooting, trail riding, about anything you can do on a horse. One of the guys I shoot with tried to get me to taking to cattle sorting because of the way she moves. She doesn't seem to mind anything so far. My young stallion, Dan is deveopling the same way too.

deerridge

08-29-2009, 12:44 PM

yeah you could really show off and get other people addicted to the breed by racking her through the pattern once they know how good she is!

Actually, I've done that!

D_BaldStockings

08-29-2009, 01:04 PM

Actually, I've done that!

Now THAT would be one heck of a promotional video!

Glad to see you are having so much fun with your grand mare :)

deerridge

09-08-2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks everyone, the Saddlebred museum got in touch with me wanting some information. I'm sending them a bunch of video clips and whatever else they may want on Cowboy Mounted Shooting and the American Saddlebred. I'd love to see a bunch more of you folks out there competeing. Me and Tyra need some stylish compitition for a change!

Kimasb

09-08-2009, 01:22 PM

The Saddlebred Museum can't wait to get the footage and photos Rob is going to send us! We think he and his horses exemplify the versatility of our breed to the fullest. Plans are to include the footage and photos in the 2010 exhibit, This is the American Saddlebred, and to use them in our permanent display on versatility. A big thank you!!

dcmgypsy

09-08-2009, 01:45 PM

I watched your videos Very impressive! Looks like fun!

deerridge

09-08-2009, 02:04 PM

Hi Kim, I'll burn you a DVD and send you. I found out I can do that, Duuua! You'll get one with the clip I E-mailed you and the full four stage match of Tyra, and four stages of Cherokee Dan's first exhibition training runs that day. I'm excited that ya'll have the interest in our sport!

virtualasb

09-13-2009, 10:38 PM

Very Cool. My Dad Lynn Weatherman would have LOVED this! Absolutely what this horse would excell in. Isnt there a national association for mounted shooters? Can you list any state associations or contact information. I met a kid from Ohio that was doing this during equine affaire in Columbus this spring. My pinto stallion Prince's Kelley McBride would be a great candidate for this job. I need a contact so I can send him for training this winter.

Wendy

deerridge

09-15-2009, 10:29 AM

Yep, Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, www.CMSA.com. About 10,000 shooters so far, the fasted growing equine sport around!

LuvPintos

09-15-2009, 11:09 AM

I just found out from my instructor that the Academy horse I show did this when she was younger, but turned out to be too slow to go very far in it. That would explain why she never spooks at things, and you absolutely cannot get her worked up with a bag on the end of a whip. :thumbup:

deerridge

09-15-2009, 12:03 PM

"Bullet proof" does have real meaning. My young stallion really isn't phased by much of nothing as they say. I road him in exhibition again Sunday at a match and let him run the last half of the rundown (the second set of five balloons in a row). He'll smoke em when he gets to run.

attafox

09-15-2009, 12:15 PM

There was a reason that Jeb Stuart had all his troops on Saddlers. Quick, agile and smart. The fact that they were the finest looking horses in battle was gravy!

deerridge

09-15-2009, 01:31 PM

There was a reason that Jeb Stuart had all his troops on Saddlers. Quick, agile and smart. The fact that they were the finest looking horses in battle was gravy!

Now, you don't really believe a true southerner would be seen on an ugly horse do ya'?

lshiely

09-15-2009, 05:42 PM

deerridge

09-16-2009, 10:33 AM

Hi,

Someone might have already mentioned this, but for some reason I was looking up Tiger Woods' (the horse) get and I recognized Tyra's name from this thread. I noticed that she had a funny little icon next to her name which I found out meant that she had a multi-media link. Sure enough, there are two pictures of her and the video right there!

Pretty cool, I haven't noticed the multi-media stuff on there in the past.

What a great mare!

Leslie

Thanks!, and she really is a great mare. I love the multi-media stuff, you can see what they look like. I wish everyone would put in their stuff on their horses. I think I've done most of mine now.

deerridge

10-22-2009, 01:15 PM

The CMSA World Championships are going on this week in Texas. I've got a bunch of friends out there and I'm not, BUMMER!

Lexi Knauss

10-29-2009, 03:05 PM

This is my gaited shootin horse. He's a Walking Horse learned to run. And we love to show up the big time Quarter Horses in the sport. I'm starting my young Saddlebred to shoot this year, and don't have a pic of her actually being shot from yet, but here's a pic of my little Walkin horse, Zombie, and I. As far as I know I'm the youngest ladies level 3 in mounted shooting, and moved up to a 3 in only 3 months on my little buddy. http://api.ning.com/files/X*ZF*B8XKAif6J4C7tfwhNsg4wwgfsvHbSlAata2C6hBb9jj*X hKQGCRUdcuA4I9Y4zu1p5Ae0Vye5hzITCwYdH0ZpXxFGl8/easternpics2009044.jpg

virtualasb

10-29-2009, 07:35 PM

I emailed the prez of the ohio group and got no response for who is training these horses in the Ohio area. Do you have any contacts here? or in this area.

W

deerridge

10-31-2009, 02:03 PM

Hey Lexi, put the video on U-tube and link it. A couple of mine are linked here. I think were going to do a demo for the East Tennessee Saddlebred Assoc. next summer at one or more of their shoes. I'm tempted to do it saddleseat in Cavalry uniform on Tyra.

deerridge

01-27-2010, 01:16 PM

Thought I'd give a little update. Tyra & I got our first overal win at our Gunfire on the Mountain Shoot. She carried me for four rounds and a winner and also ran another four for a friend who's shooting horse died (Thoroughbred-colic).

silvia

01-27-2010, 05:41 PM

Congratulations on your win!
And sorry to hear about your friend's horse, I'd be very upset if that happened to me. How kind of you to lend yours.

deerridge

05-24-2010, 11:02 AM

Just a little update. Mine are now not the only saddlebreds I know off in mounted shooting. Lexi Knauss rode her saddlebred to an L3 win last weekend. WHOOO WHO!

deerridge

09-09-2010, 09:18 AM

Lexi is selling her shooting saddlebred if anybody has an interest. Dixie is a really nice mare in addition to being a shooting horse.

callie

09-10-2010, 03:26 PM

Lexi is selling her shooting saddlebred if anybody has an interest. Dixie is a really nice mare in addition to being a shooting horse.
How could I get more info on her mare? thanks,
Callie

attafox

09-10-2010, 08:19 PM

So this does not turn into an ad, please PM the poster.

Arab/Saddlebredgal

10-05-2010, 06:53 PM

I just wondered if anyone was heading to the Championships this month. I am planning to go spectate and would love to cheer for you. I know my husband is really looking forward to seeing what he terms a "cool" horse show.

Let me know who to watch for. I think it will be fun.