Cowboy Mounted Shooting is a competitive equestrian sport regulated by several national organizations such as CMSA and requires the riding of a horse to negotiate a shooting pattern where targets are engaged with theatrical-stage-blank ammunition that is certified to break a target balloon within twenty feet and not beyond twenty feet. (No bullets are used.)
Mounted Shooting requires skill in both horsemanship and shooting that is measured in the form of competitive events.
The typical event requires two single action revolvers loaded with five blank-cartridges. Ten targets are arranged in a horseback riding arena. When the competitor is given a go-signal, indicating the arena is clear of people and hazards, the rider guides his horse across a timer-line and engages the ten targets. When all ten targets are engaged, the rider returns across the timer line and his score is determined and recorded. The raw time of the rider is computed and penalties are added for missed targets, failure to follow the specified course or procedure, and knocking over barrels or target stands.
