World Cup 2007 is underway!

[Black Jack Traven]

Yesterday was side match day with three speed events. Some great times were laid down. Some punk kid was seen shoving money at the RO and shooting and shooting and shooting trying to get a better result.

The main match started this morning after the pledge and a safety briefing. The weather was fantastic, just enough breeze to take the edge off the heat. The stages were great. They were very simple to understand but you had to walk the stage before you realized that there was more to them. There was obviously some very sly thought that went into these stages. It is always interesting to see the different ways people shoot these stages. Joe and Sammy have outdone themselves on the props.

Word has it that both Spence and Bud are on their A game. I had a peak at Bud's scorecard and it looked like 24 seconds and change as net time for 6 stages.

Lunch was wonderful. Rice, steak, chicken and shrimp with fruit. As I left the range, the beers were being opened and the crying towel was being passed around for those that hit a bump in the trail. This is shaping up to be a great match. I can not wait for tomorrow.

Very Best Regards,
Black Jack Traven

[Madame Olive Yew]

Black Jack, Thanks for the update. Sounds like a great match.
Buds times, as usual, are unbelievable.
To all that made it out there, Have a wonderful time!


MOY

[Major 2]

How are the Florida pards doing ?

Dangit Dan, Wewahoottee .... etal

[Black Jack Traven]

The Floridians are not on my posse (dang it) but rumor says they are doing well. One in particular was doing so well that when the main match was over he was seen moving walls, targets, stands and many other heavy objects. Ah to be young and healthy!

The second day of the main match started with a loud crash. Badlands Bud began with a dead rifle primer, reloaded to avoid the miss then launched into shotgun with a dead FACTORY REMINGTON GOLD SHELL!! In the confusion, he dumped four more shells on the ground, left two shotgun targets up and then fumbled through the pistol sequence. It was looking pretty grim. When I beat Bud on a stage, it usually does not bode well.

The stages were up to the high standard of yesterday and were a hoot to shoot. Smiles were seen all around at lunch after the stages were over. Beers started popping as the steel and props were moved for Sunday's shoot off. Sad stories were exchanged and with the sun was going down some serious tale swapping was going on as I headed back to the hotel at dusk.

So this morning we head back out to find out who takes the world cup. Did Bud overcome the crash? Will Spence spank the competition? Did Wewahootee teach the young wippersnappers a lesson? Will bail money need to be wired west? Will some quiet cowpoke from out east slide into first? Only time will tell......

Very Best Regards,
Black Jack Traven

[Madame Olive Yew]

Again, Thank you Black Jack.  I'm waiting anxiously to hear how everyone did. 

[Black Jack Traven]

Well, the dust has settled.

Of the twelve stages, 3 were won by Lead Dispencer and 1 by Loden B Quick. Jasmine Jesse took ladies over all and Norma Lee Quick won the ladies shootoff.

Bud overcame his blowout stage to win overall, the side matches, 8 stages and the shootoff. No one likes a show off.

The prize table was stacked high. One shooter brought up a wheel barrow to haul off his prize (literally). I was down at 16th and still took home a gun.

You missed a great one and I hope to see many more folks at the next one. Joe and Sammy really outdid themselves and put on a fantastic world class Western 3 Gun competition. Thanks Guys!

Yehaaawwwwwwww!!!!!!

[Madame Olive Yew]

Congrats to all the winners!! Wish we could have made it. Sounds like it was a hell of a match! Ahh well, maybe next year...

[Irish Red O'Toole]

Like BJT has said, the W3G World Cup is in the books.  The Cylon (Badlands Bud) is the new and reigning champ.  He started off Day 1 on a tear, but Day 2 brought reality crashing down on him.  However, he held it together enough to win.  I'd like to tell everyone how I did, but a "minor" glitch with a loaded shotgun being knocked off a table ended my dreams of glory on the first stage on Day 1.  There's something very humbling about a Match DQ, especially at a match you waited all year to shoot.  IROT's safety tip of the year....DON'T STAGE YOUR SHOTGUN AT THE EDGE OF THE TABLE.  However, in Western 3 Gun everyone that shoots in the Open division pulls a prize from the table and I walked away with a full case of Cor-Bon Cowboy ammo.  I even shot in the Shoot Off today.  So, there's always next year.

More on the plus side, I got to meet and shoot (briefly!!) with the Floridians.  Sam Westley even learned to say "DUDE" California-style!!!  In addition to the returning shooters, we also had Long Swede give W3G a try for the very first time.  If the grin was any indication.....and the wheelbarrow he took up to the prize table......he'll be back again.  We also had The Outdoor Channel's "Cowboys" filming us for the last two days.  Look for the episode to air sometime in January.  I wish more of you ahd been able to come.  Start marking your calendar and saving your pennies now for W3G World Cup 2008.  You'll be sorry if you miss another one.

[Howdy Doody]

Hey it was a great match, even for us that shot amatuer division. I always appreciate and stand in awe of the top shooters, their speed and prowness in figuring out the best way to shoot a stage. This is a game there are no procedurals and stages can be shot in different ways by different folks. Myself I just amble though them and hope I can get some bonus targets down and choke a few out with BP smoke.
It is always a pleasure to see young shooters (not that Bud and Spence are old) and I have a ton of respect for a new and up and coming good shooter and another young cowboy that has his hat on straight and is another kid that makes up all proud. Remember this name Holster Holliday. Yup, you will hear more of this lad as time goes by.
Hightlite of the match for me was...........a proxy hug by Madame Olive Yew. Yup, a proxy hug all the way from Florida and given to me by Ranger Vern. I sent one back with him and he better deliver it. The hug  was great. I got from Jasmine Jesse was a handshake  I got a hug from another fine shooting gal Norma Lee Quick. Yup, a real sweet cowgirl that can really shoot.
I have a lot of trail dust to wash off, so maybe I can remember more highlites tomorrow about a fantastic W3G match with fantastic pards. Congratualations to all the winners and especially to Lefty Longridge and Sam Houston for busting butt to give us all such a great time. 

[Madame Olive Yew]

Thank you Ranger Vern for delivering my hug all those many miles. I will be collecting Howdy's return on Saturday.

 Howdy, I hope one day to give you one in person.

IROT, Your DQ is just terrible. I feel so bad. Sam W. Saying Dude    should be a hoot!