Format Matters; High Plains Territorial

I write because because I am waiting for the motel breakfast bar to open and the High Plains Territorial keeps churning in my mind. The High Plains is one of the few territorials that use the last man standing format. Big Ugly was so dominant and he was shooting so well that he probably would have won it in the magnificent format but he would have not been the favorite.  The top seven from bottom to top were Buzzard Cooper, Everett Hitch, Old Drifter, Quick Cal, Beaver Creek Kid, Bolder Vaquero and Big Ugly. In a magnificent seven a handicapper probably would have pick one of the World Champions, there were three in the top seven. I would have pick Cal or that shoot-off expert.  Quick Cal had been eliminated in the Southern only to be resurrected and win, but the field in the Southern was not as strong.

There are four factors in major events that determine who wins. In their order of importance they are luck of the draw, mental toughness, accuracy and least important is quickness. A shooter can practice and improve three of the four. In a last man standing format all four factors remain in play to the end.  A magnificent seven eliminates the luck of the draw factor when the field is reduced to seven.  Format matters!

Not only does last man standing keep luck of the draw in play, at some point CFDA bye rounds are used.  The CFDA bye round is inherently unfair which is a matter for a separate discussion. A Magnificent Seven eliminates the CFDA bye rounds and eliminates luck of the draw.

The Ladies High Plains is also interesting in this discussion. Top three women were KK Kid, Holli Day, and Whippin N Spurrin (side note 2 of the 3 were Arizona Gunslingers)  In a Magnificent Seven, if I was handicapping it I would have pick that Shady Mtn Shooter, Holli Day.  KK Kid won the event.  She was clean going into the top three.  I assume, but do not know, that was a result of luck of the draw early in the day.  Being clean was a great advantage for KK Kid.  It may have been deserved or it may have been the result of luck of the draw.  In any event, a magnificent format levels the playing field when the field is reduced to seven and each shooter is clean in a 2x shoot-off.  Prior success is rewarded by a high seed, but the #1 spot may not be the preferred seeding for all shooters.

Luck of the draw is such an important factor in determining who wins, that consideration should be given to dealing with it in some fashion.  I can name five major events in the last three years where the eventual winner of the event was eliminated only to be resurrected to fill the bracket. Most recent was Quick Cal in the Southern.  That is why I lobby for an resurrection avenue for all shooters.   

In closing I must says that the High Plains was a great event, well run and most enjoyable. Many thanks to the Powderhorn Ranch Regulators on a job well done.