Guns were blazing as a cloud of dust swirled around the arena for the Wyoming Desperados Mounted Shooters’ Battle in the Basin mounted shooting competition at the Park County Fairgrounds last weekend.

Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages and skill-levels darted around the arena on horseback in randomly selected patterns, firing at 10 balloon targets with single-action .45s, loaded with black powder blanks, as they competed for the fastest times with the most accurate shots.

“This is our best shoot to date,” Powell mounted shooter Nicole “Scooter” Singbeil said among the group of about 30 shooters from five different states. “I think everyone is shooting well, and they love the facility. We have good footing and plenty of room to ride.”

Unlike barrel racing or pole bending, mounted shooting features 53 different patterns and contestant don’t know which pattern they will have to run until the morning of the match. This means their horse can’t memorize the pattern, so the rider and horse have to be in constant communication.

“Start slow and smooth,” Singbeil advised. “If you hit targets, you are ahead of the game — slow is smooth and smooth is fast in the beginning.”

Although it might not seem logical, mounted shooting actually gets easier as it’s sped up since the horse bunches up when approaching the courses at a slower pace, she said.

“But then it goes well,” Singbeil said. “You just need to get it fundamentally correct.”

Gillette mounted shooter Robert Parish compared it to riding bareback in a rodeo due to the adrenaline rush.

“Especially during the shotgun (event) because you drop your reins and shoot,” Parish said, comparing it to riding a bicycle without handlebars. “If I do my job right, he’ll turn the barrel.”

Lexington, Kentucky, shooter Rodney Greene compared mounted shooting to barrel racing, but with a few differences aside from the added gunfire such as more re-ride opportunities,.

“You’re never disappointed in your horse because you gave the directions,” Greene said. “The important thing is having fun.”

Parish said he transitioned into mounted shooting from competing in rodeos and showing mules since he was already into shooting.

“I love to shoot and love to ride,” Parish said. “It’s the fastest growing equine sport.”

Part of the reason the sport is growing in popularity among equestrians is because riders of all ages and skill levels can compete.

Adult and senior shooters are placed into one of six levels. Level one is for novice and beginning competitors, and shooters move up based on performance. Level six is world-champion caliber. The highest level shooters last weekend were Greene and Rick Farnsworth in level five.

Dacean Thomas, 14, of Deaver shot up a storm in the Ladies Class 1 division and has been doing it for three years.

“It’s fun, it’s like the people are so nice — you can jump in, not knowing anyone, but then make friends,” Thomas said, noting the strong sense of sportsmanship among her fellow shooters. “When I go in the arena, I’m ready to go.”

Greene agreed, the camaraderie in the sport was a big draw.

“I just enjoy shooting, it’s the best group of people,” Greene said. “If you can’t make a friend in mounted shooting, you might as well join the Army, because they will issue you one.”

Mounted shooters tend to be eager to share their equipment so newcomers can figure out what works best for them before getting their own holsters and guns.

“The initial investment is high,” Singbeil said.

Jack Ziegler of Bozeman, Montana, got his start participating as a shootout sponsor and used borrowed equipment his first time around.

“I got last place,” Ziegler said, noting that his favorite thing about the sport is how friendly the participants are to newcomers. “I’d been on horses my whole life, but it’s difficult to remember to cock the gun and switch guns.”

He was later asked to return as a celebrity shooter for a Bozeman competition.

“I won the buckle, so I started training my horse,” Ziegler said with a laugh. “I hate to admit it, but he’s better at it than me.”

“It’s just all around a great sport,” Ziegler said. “If you want to have a really good time, join a mounted shooting club.”

Singbeil said anyone who is interested in trying out the sport can email her at nsingbeil@hotmail.com to arrange for a practice and suggested speaking to an experienced shooter.

Ladies Class 1

• Dacean Thomas 182.650

Ladies Class 2

• Candiss Jett-Walsh 149.073

• Nicole Singbeil 171.841

Ladies Class 3

• Lisa Grimsley 128.096

• Teri High 132.004

Mens Class 1

• Brent Larson 124.247

• Mark Urlacher 141.135

• Robert Parish 166.536

• Clancy McNabb 168.67

• Jason Thomas 180.377

• Chris Heyer 234.989

• Bruce Fisk 300.0

• Willie Lawrence 304.32

Mens Class 4

• Mike Burns 162.376

Mens Class 5

• Rodney Greene 105.346

• Rick Farnsworth 125.597

Senior Ladies Class 1

• Joan Brust 187.067

• Caryl Wilkerson 249.041

Senior Ladies Class 3

• Nell Kline 360.0

Senior Mens Class 1

• Rod Wilson 132.433

• Albert Kukuchka 147.847

• Jack Ziegler 170.493

• Lyle Spence 213.670

Senior Mens Class 2

• Pat Shank 157.638

Wrangler Little Kids

• Tyler Fisk 120.0

Wrangler Open Kids

• Gabriela Thomas 129.303