Veteran shooters and first-timers saddled up to support the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Unlike many events that are co-ed and predominantly male, however, only women took to the spotlight August 23.
The first-ever All-Cowgirl Showdown was a premier attraction at the Reichert Celebration, a multi-breed and -discipline horse show in Fort Worth, Texas. The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association hosted the event, with lifetime APHA member and expert sharpshooter Annie Bianco leading the festivities.
Twelve veteran CMSA shooters were paired with novice “celebrities” of the horse industry, and each team was auctioned to the audience in a calcutta format; bids for teams began at $75, with many earning high bids of more than $400. Bidders’ funds were split between donations to the Hall of Fame and a jackpot, which was awarded to the bidder of the night’s winning team.
While the guest shooters took their time and focused on accuracy in a straightaway pattern—a simple down-and-back run—the veterans’ sharp shooting in a tougher course had the audience cheering with every popped balloon.
In total, the event raised more than $8,000 for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, which celebrates and educates about cowgirl heritage, both past and present.
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Check out these exciting shots from the inaugural event:
