FAQ's
WHAT IS CMSA?
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association® is the Fastest
Growing Equestrian Sport in the Nation. Mounted
contestants compete in this fast action timed event
using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each
loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank
ammunition. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
"C.M.S.A." has a variety of levels of competition for
everyone, ranging from novice levels to the seasoned
professional.
CMSA REQUIREMENTS
Are there clothing requirements?
Yes. It is required that you dress western. You may
either dress in traditional western style or you can
dress in the old time style of the late 1800's.
Traditional style includes a long sleeve western shirt,
5 pocket blue jeans covered by chinks or chaps, western
boots, and a cowboy hat.
If you prefer 'rolling back the clock ' to the late
1800's try to look as authentic to the period as
possible, by wearing shirts without collars, and
high-waisted pants with buttons, not zippers, and an old
style cowboy hat, for example. Visit CMSA's Official
Clothier Website
Are there horse requirements like breed, or
registration?
No. You can use any horse or mule that you want. Some
horses take to this sport easily, others do not. It is
up to your horse's temperament and your desire to train
him or her to get used to shooting, turning, and going
fast. Some riders will use earplugs for themselves and
their horses.
CMSA GUNS & BLANKS
What type of guns are used?
Mounted Shooters use .45 caliber single action revolvers
like those used in the late 1800's. Single action
revolvers must be cocked each time before firing by
drawing the hammer back. A double action revolver can be
fired by simply pulling the trigger, without cocking the
hammer. Despite the use of double action revolvers in
the Old West, the CMSA limits our competitions to single
action revolvers.
What about gun leather?
Riders can buy 'off-the-shelf replicas' of the old time
gun belts and holsters. Or, you can have custom-made gun
belts and holsters to suit your wishes. There are
several custom 'makers' that you can find in 'old west'
magazines.
Do you use live ammunition (lead bullets) or
bird shot?
No. The cartridges fired are called .45 caliber Long
Colts. The brass cartridge is loaded with black powder
(like that used in the 1800's). This load will break a
balloon up to about 15 feet. Live rounds are strictly
prohibited at competitions. At each event we have a
person to load the rider's guns as he or she enters the
arena, and a person to unload the guns after the rider
is finished. Riders do not carry loaded guns outside of
the arena or when not competing.
CMSA SKILLS & SAFETY
Are there levels of skill?
Yes. There is a Men's Division, a Women's Division, and
a Senior's Division, with Classes 1-6 in each of those
divisions. There is also a Wrangler Class for those 11
and under. All riders start at Class 1. When a rider
wins Class 1 twice, they advance to Class 2, and when
they win Class 2 three times, they advance to Class 3.
Four wins at Class 3 and on to Class 4, etc. There is
also a prize for the best score overall where age or
gender does not matter. Mom competes against Dad who
competes against the kids.
Kids? Do the kids ride and shoot?
Yes... and no. The riders in the Wrangler class ride the
same pattern that the grown-ups do, but they may shoot
Hollywood cap pistols, engaging each target as if they
were shooting real blanks. They then shoot the real
McCoy (.45's with blanks) at balloons, from the ground
while standing stationary with mom or dad at their side.
How about scoring?
The riders are scored on time and accuracy. There is a 5
second penalty for each missed balloon, a 5 second
penalty for dropping a gun, a 10 second penalty for not
running the course correctly and a 60 second penalty for
falling off your horse. Speed is important, however,
accuracy is usually more important than speed. A typical
pattern can be run in 15-35 seconds, so penalties can
really hurt.
What about safety?
Safety in horse training and firearm handling are
emphasized at all times. Many clubs sponsor clinics to
assist new shooters in starting their horses and learn
the basics of safe firearm handling. Range masters are
in the arena at all times during competitions to insure
safe riding and shooting is exercised. New shooters are
usually required to demonstrate that they have achieved
minimum acceptable levels of riding and shooting skills.
Is there a pattern to ride?
Yes. There are 50+ possible patterns. The patterns
everyone will ride can be pre-determined or can be drawn
out of a hat on the day of the competition. A
competition may consist of 3 to 6 patterns a day. Each
pattern consists of 10 balloons. To give you an idea of
riding a pattern, let's say that there are 5 white
balloons and 5 red balloons. The 5 white balloons may be
grouped together in one place or spread out over the
entire arena. The rider shoots all 5 white balloons
first. Then, the rider holsters the first gun while
riding to the far end of the arena, draws the second
gun, and shoots the 5 red balloons, which are usually 5
in a row straight towards the finish line. This is
called 'the Rundown'.
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