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Some peoples' idea of fun is to dress up like a cowboy or cowgirl and shoot at targets with a single-action revolver while riding a horse.

They use primers with no bullet to shoot at balloons. A good competitor can hit 10 targets in 15 seconds.

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I've always wanted to see this sport. Some people can't ride a horse with one hand. Some can't shoot with one hand. Few can hit a target per second with a single-action revolver even standing with both feet on the ground.

- Jim

Shooting balloons from horseback predated this cowboy mounted version. Years ago, when I was more actively riding in Europe, my riding partner and I came across this. There it was essentially a cavalry-exercise-become-sport. Riders used primer only cartridges AND short spears and/or sabers to pierce balloons, which of course represented enemy soldiers on foot. It wasn't all flat ground stuff either -- jumps were included in the courses, and the balloons would be at the jumps, as if the cavalryman was jumping an manned enemy fortification -- so you had to ride the horse, jump, and shoot/stab/slash all at the same time.

Looked like fun. My buddy and I intended to try it one day, but we were transferred back to CONUS before we got to it.

elb

I have "speared" 4" and 6" rings while riding a jumping course with a short 3 foot javelin. That was great fun! Never tried shooting from my horse's back. I value my life too much for that.

CompVest wrote:Never tried shooting from my horse's back. I value my life too much for that.

I value the life of the horse too much for that. One of my infamous trigger slaps and it could be very ugly.

Jason

That's one of the many reasons that they use blanks (although blanks are not completely harmless).

- Jim

It would take a good horse, well-trained, that trusted the rider, to do this sport successfully.

As the saying goes, "You can shoot a gun from the back of any horse, once."

I would get do it twice from my mare. She is always willing to let me try anything with her once. It is the second time I ask and she knows what to expect that I can have issues!