Apha

The Sharpshooter

Top mounted shooting competitor Tammy Scronce hasn’t sat on her mountain of trophies. Instead, she’s taken the lessons she’s learned to foster the next generations of horsemen.

By Abigail Boatwright

Ask anyone who knows Tammy Sronce, and they’ll tell you she’s the most competitive person they know. Gritty and focused, Tammy’s skills on her horse and with firearms have bagged countless awards, including multiple mounted shooting world championships and the title ofNo. 1 cowgirl in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association for more than four years. But the Fort Worth, Texas, equestrienne is also a conscientious coach—cheerful, exacting and encouraging. Overcoming obstacles that would sideline others, Tammy has built a life surrounded by the horses she loves, and she’s paying it forward by sharing her expertise with folks ready to improve their riding.

The Road to Texas

Born in Western Australia, Tammy lost her father to a drunk driving accident when she was 4. The tragedy shook her family to its core, driving her mother to alcohol addiction in an effort to cope with the trauma. Tammy felt the burden, too, and following a tumultuous childhood, she struck out on her own at age 15.

While attending Curtin University of Technology in Australia, studying psychology, Tammy spotted an ad seeking an apprentice to learn to train cutting horses in Texas as she flipped through an American horse magazine. She was intrigued and inquired to learn more. In 2000, at age 23, Tammy uprooted from her native Australia and moved to Texas for a fresh start, signing on to work for legendary cutting trainer Lindy Burch at Oxbow Ranch in Weatherford, Texas.

“I did English-driven Pony Club in Australia, but when I came over [to the U.S.], I was really pulled into the whole romanticism of the cowboy life in Texas—all the connotations that you think of when you think of Texas,” Tammy said. “It was just something I wanted to experience.”

Lindy was an inspiration and invaluable guide for Tammy’s life and horsemanship journey.  Tammy says her mentor continues to be a friend today.

“She’s phenomenal—passionate and dedicated, and she showed me a work ethic and how to care for horses at that level,” Tammy said. “If I hadn’t have ended up there, I wouldn’t have won what I have won in mounted shooting. I’m so grateful to her, especially for the work ethic that she put into me.”

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This is an excerpt from the full article—get the whole story in the Spring 2022 Chrome magazine, which is sent to all current APHA members. Not a member? Join or renew at apha.com/join.

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