Cowboy Mounted Shooting® is one of the nation's fastest growing equestrian sports. Mounted contestants compete in this fast action timed event using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition. Courses of fire are set in a variety of patterns. The first half (5 targets) of a course of fire will vary with each go and requires the horse and rider to stop, turn, change leads and accelerate rapidly. The second half (5 targets), called the "run down", is a straight course with targets set at 36 foot intervals.

Typically, a competitor crosses the timing beam at a full gallop and engages the first pattern of five targets. After a shooter fires the fifth shot, he or she returns the empty revolver to a holster and proceeds to and turns around a barrel and then races to the far end of the arena while drawing a second revolver. At the far end the horse and rider turn another barrel and then engage the five remaining targets of the run down at full speed.

Scoring is based on elapsed time plus a five second penalty for each target missed or barrel knocked over. An average course of fire normally takes a contestant between 30 and 35 seconds to complete.

Period clothing is required. This consists of the type of clothing which was worn in the mid to late 1800;s, Hats, Shirts, Pants, Chaps and other items are kept as authentic as possible.

Western tack is a requirement, with late 1800’s style encouraged. (No synthetic tack or fleece lined girths)

Any breed of horse or mule is allowed, but must be demonstrated to be safe and trainable for shooting. Earplugs are allowed for Horse and Rider.

Scoring in all divisions is based on time and accuracy, 5-second penalty for each balloon missed, 5 seconds for a dropped gun, 10 seconds for not running course correctly, and 60 seconds for falling off horse.