OklahomaHorses Magazine November 2021

28 OklahomaHorses • November/December 2021 the Old West. This means that each time the trigger is pulled, the hammer must be fully cocked. Each pistol is loaded with five black powder loads designed to travel no more than 20 feet. There are 10 stationary targets (inflated balloons atop PVC poles inserted in pylons) placed according to a predesignated pattern or stage. The rider must cross a start line, engage all 10 targets and cross the finish line. For each missed target, five seconds are added to the rider’s time or score. Generally, the first five targets are part of what is referred to as the “Random” part of the course. This might include turns in different directions and angles, as well as one or more barrel turns. If a course has a “gate,” the rider and entire horse must pass through it. Failure to run the round as set in the coursebook will result in a 10-sec- ond “procedural” penalty. The “Rundown” begins with a barrel at the far end of the arena, followed by a straight-line run of the final five targets. Missed targets add five seconds each to the overall time. While the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association payback system rewards overall scores over three to four stages, the newer USMS offers shooters payback on each round or stage run with no misses based on a 4D payout. The popularity of this format is evidenced in the growth of this relatively new association. The USMS formed in early 2019 and incorporated in December of that year. Despite COVID-19, the world finals were held with 67 riders from nine states. Ten club memberships sprouted in 2020, with the world finals held in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Ten states were represented with a contestant base of 131 riders. This year, the USMS experienced extraordinary Walker Dixon riding his futurity candidate