"What a Rush".....said an old Cowgirl we met in Montana a few years ago. In retrospect, she probably wasn't all that old, probably just a little older than I am right now. At any rate, she and her then husband were parked a few sites down from us in Polson, Montana and we got to know her through our mutual love of horses and her "out there" personality. She and I haunted nearby stables to collect used cattle roping ropes to make her unique baskets. Fun lady.
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| used roping ropes |
My Christmas Cactus, which is really more like a Thanksgiving/Easter Cactus, sits on Beluga's dashboard in one of her creations.
In her younger years she competed in Cowboy (Cowgirl) Mounted Shooting Competitions and remembered those days enthusiastically. "What A Rush", she said repeatedly as she described riding her mare at break neck speed around a prescribed course of balloons set on high poles, bending around barrels, drawing her pistols (yes, two of them) and shooting out the balloons on both sides as she flew past, then galloping "home" for the best time.
I don't know where Nancy ended up, I heard she divorced the hubby, but I wish I had her next to me when Dave and I watched a Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition at Ben Avery Shooting Range north of Phoenix yesterday. I know she would have been hooting and hollering!
We had a great time standing ring side, watching the cowboys and cowgirls riding and shooting and standing at the in gate, cheering their friends on and patiently waiting for their next turn. After each round a bevy of youngsters raced into the ring to replace the exploded balloons and then get out of the way before the next contestant loped in. They took their jobs very seriously, even if some of them were barefoot!
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| lace and leather waiting..... |
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| getting last minute instructions |
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| shooting the yellow balloon |
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| three good ole boys waiting patiently |
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| reloading |
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| exploding a red balloon on the run |
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| two holstered guns, waiting for their turn |
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| good shot off the Palomino |
We brought out lunch along but didn't want to enjoy it in the dusty shooting range so we left the grounds and headed down Castle Hot Springs Road, along Lake Pleasant.
We continued along, after the pavement ended, until we found a nice, quiet spot overlooking the lake.
Just what we were looking for.....Lunch with a view.
I had never heard of shooting balloons on horse back. People and their hobbies are so interesting.
ReplyDeleteThey must use Blanks or they wouldn't have anyone left in the audience.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
An 'Annie Oakly' fun time! and then a lunch with a view, a pretty fun day.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day. The horses are beautiful. Love the ride along Castle Hot Springs Road. Sweet lunch spot.
ReplyDeleteOh how I would love this event!! Your pics are wonderful, thanks for sharing your fun day. That Buckskin is so handsome :-) And of course the leopard appy's backside is cute too. You're "greening" much faster than we are!
ReplyDeleteThat Buckskin was stunning.....his flanks gleamed in the sunshine and he was so very alert to everything going on.
DeleteNow that’s just a dang good time! Love your story about your friend you met in Montana and your pictures from the day are awesome...wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun post and memories...and your photos are wonderful! When we were visiting my folks in Jacksonville and stayed at the fairgrounds, there was a 'riding and shooting' event on the weekend. It was fascinating to witness the skill of the riders, and I was amazed at how calm the horses were!
ReplyDeletecareful training and ear plugs!
DeleteI never heard of such events on horses but it sure looked like fun especially that it reminded you of your friend. That is a beautiful basket, who knew that it is made of used ropes! Some people are jiust creative and know how repurpose used things.
ReplyDeleteSuzi, I have to ask: what kind of projectile are those guns firing? If they are real bullets then being in the crowd would be a tad dangerous.....:)
ReplyDeleteThey shoot Blanks with paper wads that have a very limited range. I must admit, though, that it is a bit disconcerting to have someone point a gun at you and then fire! Check out the picture just after the holstered guns shot....
DeleteAhhh, had a feeling it was a form of blank cartridge. Thanks.
DeleteWhat an interesting event. The basket your friend made is really neat!
ReplyDelete