Mounted Shooting is one of the most exciting equestrian sports in America. It combines elements of Wild West Show exhibition shooting along with the skills of barrel racing, pole bending and reining while using two .45 caliber single action revolvers loaded with black powder blanks. The object of the game is to shoot ten balloon targets while riding your mount through a variety of challenging courses of fire. It’s a timed sport in which the competitor who rides the fastest with the least amount of missed targets wins.

The Western Shooting Horse Association has adopted the rules of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) and each new WSHA member will receive a copy of the official CMSA Rule Book and Course of Fire Book.

Each competitor enters the sport at the Division 1 level and moves up through the levels as experience and competition wins are achieved. These include Men’s Divisions 1-6, Ladies Division 1-6, Senior and Junior Division 1-6, and Buckaroo. As with all activities utilizing the Western Shooting Horse™, safety is our fist priority!

what to wear

In Mounted Shooting there are two unofficial categories of dress. For those who wish to experience the sport in the spirit of the Old West, traditional attire typical of that worn in the Wild West during the late 1800’s can be worn. For modern minded cowboys, Wrangler type jeans and cowboy shirts are acceptable, however, chinks or chaps must be worn over modern blue jeans. Whether you like to dress in old or new, Mounted Shooting offers something for everyone.

who can do it?

Mounted Shooting is open to all levels of riders and all breeds of equine and competition is only the beginning. Be prepared to meet the friendliest and most social people in the equestrian world. Mounted Shooting is a family sport dedicated to keeping our Western Heritage alive and the sprit of the West lives in the game and the people who surround it. The Western Shooting Horse™ Association wants you to become a part of this great American equestrian experience by becoming a member and supporting a special breed of horse and rider. Join the Western Shooting Horse™ Association today!

how do I get involved?

The first order of business is to become a WSHA member. As a member we can help direct you to a nearby CMSA club. It is at the clubs where you will meet people who are active in the sport and who will help you become acquainted with the rules and techniques of the game. Clubs have new rider programs and clinics that will get your horse accustomed to gunfire and get you in the groove of mounted shooting competition. It is also helpful to attend competitions and observe as a spectator. You can learn a great deal by watching others who have been in the sport for a while.

Click Here to Become a Member Today!