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What
is Mounted Shooters of America (MSA)
 MSA
is a national organization dedicated to holding the finest, most
exciting mounted shooting competitions in the US and beyond.
Mounted shooting events are similar to other timed rodeo events
like barrel racing and many cow events. Founded in 2001, MSA is
dedicated to earning a reputation of integrity, fairness and
continuing excitement generated by innovating and pioneering
within the sport of mounted shooting.
Competitors dress in cowboy attire dating from
modern rodeo attire, all the way back to the old west era and
the classic old west apparel. They are mounted on horses of any
chosen breed and size, while most mounted shooting horses tend
to be quarter horses with some cow experience in their breeding.
Competitors engage in courses of fire which consist of
elevated balloon targets of various color combinations,
usually made up of one light and one dark color, for a total of
ten balloon targets per course. The competitors
shoot the first
five random targets with a single action .45 caliber firearm
similar to those used in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s by the
American cowboy. Then, after holstering the first
revolver, they engage the five targets in the "rundown".
 Ammunition used for engaging the targets is made from black
powder and the rounds are blanks, with no projectile other than
the hot embers that travel ten to fifteen feet and dissipate in
a shot gun round type pattern. MSA ammunition is safe for
horses, competitors and spectators while used as intended
Courses of fire
are designed to test riders ability to control their equine
partners at various speeds, while making lead and direction
changes similar to those seen in barrel racing and other speed
events. While speed is important, accuracy within any given
course or stage, is also very important to a competitors
success. For every missed balloon target, a competitor is
assessed a five second penalty, to be added to that particular
run. Additional penalties include five second penalties for
knocking over a barrel and a ten second penalty for not running
the course in the proper order. The range master has the final
call on all arena activity and there is no over riding process.
Competitors are split into
three Divisions. The
Non Pro Division is made up by new mounted shooters and
members from other shooting organizations that are levels one
and two. Move ups in other organizations will be applied to MSA
rankings. The Semi Pro Division is made up of competitors
who have earned a class ranking in another organization of three
or four or has moved up with qualified wins at MSA sanctioned
events. The Pro Division
is an individual who makes a living giving lessons, riding or
training horses, ponies, or mules. Or a Pro is an
individual who is a level five or six in another shooting
organization.
MSA
Finals
will
be held annually, to reward the best and most successful MSA
members. An annual Points championship will reward top
competitors with prizes and bragging rights. Competitors must
qualify for each MSA Final by earning a minimum number of points
at sanctioned MSA events around the US and beyond. Every
competitor will receive one point
for every rider they beat at an
MSA match. 
New Shooter Clinics - National
Spokespersons
MSA rewards our affiliates with new shooter clinics. Every
MSA affiliate club may contact the MSA to schedule a two day new
shooter clinic event. The MSA will provide a National
spokesperson, who will conduct a new shooter clinic one day
prior to a match hosted by the club. The MSA will bring $1,000
added money for the shoot.
Generous payouts
MSA Payouts are based on 50% Pay back of gross entry fees.
Our Divisional format provides legitimate pay-outs to those who
win. Added money will always be an important goal as the MSA
focus is on giving back to its members as our great sport grows.
Xtreme Qualifiers
 New Courses have been added to the
new Xtreme Qualifier
Division. This division will be familiar to anyone who is
familiar with the MSA 20X Eliminator format. As we focus on
success, we have simply changed the name to reflect qualifying
for advancement, rather than being eliminated from competition.
Club Cup
The MSA Club Cup will be a traveling incentive prize to be
awarded annually at the MSA Finals, to the affiliate MSA club
that finishes the annual season with the most combined national
points, among its members. The MSA will reward the winning club
with a custom trophy to be proudly displayed by the winning
club. In addition, the MSA will reward the winning club with a
set of Colt .45 single action pistols and a Taylor's Firearms
Running Comanchero lever action rifle, to award to their members
as they prefer.
The MSA Club Cup is a
charity incentive program that also rewards charitable
activities by MSA members. At the 2012 Kick Off Event, the MSA
will start the program off by awarding the Professional
Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship with a check for $2,500.
Beginning in 2013 the winning club will be rewarded by
presenting the MSA with their charity of choice to receive the
annual $2,500 contribution.
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New Platinum Division
The MSA Platinum Division replaces the Senior
Division and is optional for anyone over the age of 45.
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Dapper Division
The MSA Dapper Division is for all MSA members. The
Dapper Division has both a men's and a woman's class, as
well as a Classic West and a Modern West category. Based
on an individual member’s personal clothing choice, a
judge will award a vendor prize to winners of best
dressed awards. All MSA clothing requirements apply.
More details |
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Rifle Regiment
MSA requires lever action rifles to be used in the
Rifle Regiment, as competitors in the Rifle Regiment
compete in two stages for fastest cumulative time in
their Regiment over two stages. This Regiment will run
during the Saturday Night Finale and riders compete for
added money and prizes. |
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Brennan Scholarship Fund
The MSA rewards success by supporting our young talented
athletes with a leg up on their post high school
education. The Brennan Scholarship Fund will pay one
mounted shooter each year, to be presented at the MSA
Finals. Any school age mounted shooter who pays tuition
for educational purposes, is eligible for the annual
gift. Each interested shooter shall prepare a bio and
state their reasons for why they think they should be
chosen to receive the award. The winner will be voted on
nationally, by MSA members. Deadline for entry in the
first annual gift in 2013, is May 1, 2013. The annual
gift shall be $5,000. |
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Prompt Prize
MSA rewards our prompt members with their first night stall
fees for free and a special trailer decal for bragging rights.
The first 50 people who sign up on-line will be recipients of
the prompt prize. |
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Xtreme Handicap
The MSA Xtreme Handicap Division, was
developed in collaboration with Tony Romano.
Tony is a Senior Men’s level six competitor with the
CMSA, as well as a long time supporter of MSA. He is the
back to back CMSA SM5 Winner of The Worlds in 2010 and
2011.
The format is based on the handicap system used in team
roping competitions. The goal of using this format is to
provide an opportunity for every level of competitor to
challenge the pros in a head to head
qualifying format for significant payouts. With no
Gender or Divisional splits, pay outs are based on
overall finish, after the handicap is applied. Payouts
will be for first, second and third place. Added money
will be applied to this division, when available.
The Xtreme Handicap will be adjusted as
necessary, as the focus remains on offering an even
playing field that is fair to all competitors. As data
is collected and results are monitored, it may become
necessary to make changes to support this ideal. We ask
for people to be patient as this is a new approach to
mounted shooting and will remain fluid for the benefit
of all competitors. Any changes in handicap will be
posted in advance of any major MSA event.
Time handicaps are:
Affiliate clubs
will have the option of implementing the Xtreme format
or continuing to operate with the existing format.
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2013
At our 2012 Kick Off Event, MSA will announce prizes for
2013 Points Race and have some items on display. We will be
giving away Chad Little, custom mounted shooting saddles to
winners of the National MSA Men's High Point Challenge. Woman
winners will receive Natalie Johnson, custom mounted shooting
saddles. Special Trophies in addition to trophy buckles will
also be announced.
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Photos courtesy of Western Shooting Horse |
