Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine August 2016 Vol 1 Issue 3

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine

arenas are different sizes, and patterns generally reflect the arena, and may differ slightly from what is on the paper. Once the pattern is set, study it from all four sides. By studying the pattern from each side of the arena, you can pick your lines and turns based on where the balloons are actually set. When you enter the arena, start in the correct lead and cross the timer in a straight line toward your first target – the

Cowboy Mounted Shooting – The Physical Parts…. You’ve made the decision – you are going to DO this thing called Cowboy Mounted Shooting! In our last EHAL article (May 2016), we talked about how to get started and how to introduce your horse to gunfire. Now let’s take things to the next step. Let’s discuss course management – the physical parts of shooting a pattern. Careful planning and

shortest distance to any point is a straight line. Try to stay 9 feet from your target; your shot should be at 3 o’clock (straight off the shoulder of your shoot-

ing hand) or 9 o’clock (straight across your body) depending on the location of the balloon. Make a nice, smooth barrel turn. Give your horse the pocket he

needs to keep his speed up – don’t go too deep or too wide. Push your- self and your horse all the way through the timer. Always ride to that “elev- enth” balloon! Whichever way you turned around the rundown bar- rel is the same direction you need to end your horse at the end of the arena. So if you turned the bar- rel to the right, your horse is in the right lead, and needs to turn at the end of the arena to the right. If you turned the rundown barrel to the left, your horse will turn at the end of the arena to the left. In 99% of all the patterns with a rundown, your horse will most likely end turning the direction you were shoot-

“line strategy” in a mounted shooting pattern is crucial as every stride is time on the clock. You should choose which lead your horse needs to start in based on the pattern. If it looks like your

first turn in the pattern is a left turn, you need to start your horse in the left lead. If your first turn in the pattern is going to be a right turn, then start your horse in the right lead. It’s important here to learn the term “ride with a pur- pose”. “Riding with a purpose” is planning your ride – plan from the very start of entering the arena to exiting the arena. A common mistake riders make is entering the pattern and riding to each target with- out ever thinking about what’s coming next. Plan your “line strategy” based on what is set in the arena, not what is written in the course book. All

ing your targets (targets shot on your right, results in a right turn at the end for your horse, targets shot on your left, results in a left turn at the end for your horse).

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