For years I have been lobbying for a title match at Winter Range. We are doing all the work and we should have a championship, but I am changing my mind. The weather could not have been worst this year during the week including literally 3 feet of snow in the mountain passes. But Saturday broke clear and it was a perfect day for shooting. Even with about 20 folks not making it over the mountains, we had 102 shooters participate. It was a great shoot. The Arizona Bracket Shoot is so well liked and so much fun that it would be a shame to give it up. For 2020, I think we should plan on 3 ranges and 120 to 150 shooters. We have the facilities, the manpower, and the space. With 3 ranges we could have 9 brackets. If we get more than 25 shootists we could have two shootist brackets.
When you look at the money winners there is so much diversity, that you know the purpose of the Arizona Bracket Shoot is working. In Bracket A, Cowboy Up was clean and only needed three shots to win. I suspect he must have pirated my training blog, he is shooting so well, just joshing. He out shot Broken Spoke and Whiskey for the win. Bracket B really shows the merit of the shoot, with youth Bandana Kid out dueling Smoken Hank and multi-National Champion, the Draw. Bracket C was won by Grey Wanderer out shooting Dusty Jam and Desert Gator. Dusty Jam is using his prize money to buy a backup gun (CFDA Shady Mike tuned) that is being sold by the Loess Hills Paladins. Many thanks to him.
Bracket D was the most colorful bracket. Big Foot was third. He just could not compete with that dogboy shooting with a parasol, but dogboy met his 2x4 in the match with The Stud. It was a sight to behold. Bracket E was some of my students dueling but Eagle Eye shooting a Shady Mike holster (his holster having been snowed in) prevailed over Viper and Lone Rider.
Final bracket was the Shootist Bracket. I have had a long standing argument with the Counselor about what is possible in competition and the shootist bracket made my point. Dirty Dan was hitting better than 80% at high 4 low 5 speed but lost to BA, also hitting better than 80% at mid 4 speed. That set up the finals, with BA continuing to hit three in the mid fours to no avail, with Quigley putting three on the plate in almost identical .392 speed. This what cowboy fastdraw can be. Every shot decided by quickness. "80% is just average!"
Loess Hills Paladins: The second range was provided by the Loess Hills Paladins, Inc. We had some timer issues but those will get resolved with some adjustments to the backstop. The Association of Arizona Gunslingers had purchased a raffle gun from the Paladins and all 250 tickets were sold, the lucky winner being Silver Lady. She had purchased her ticket early at Rio. Many thanks to all who purchased tickets. All the proceeds will go to range improvements. Silver Lady's pardner, Minnesota Maverick, finished 5th in Bracket A so I guess the couple from Minnesota did quite well.
The Arizona Bracket Shoot is unique to the Valley of the Sun. If you would like to give it a try in a historic setting, head down to Tombstone on March 23. I said it before the promenade between the Crystal Palace and Big Nose Kate's is worth the trip. The Arizona Bracket shoot will be great also.
Thinking of next year, I think the Paladins will sponsor a little warm up match on Friday. Just a little jackpot to get you trained up. Arizona Five and we will show what a good sort can do for you.
Shady and I are playing the what if game. If you lose your focus you are shuffled out. Wait till next year! Or can't wait till next year!
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