Watson on target in shooting competition

Todd Watson in action during a recent mounted shooting competition. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

Rector's own Todd Watson is earning recognition as one of the most talented shooters in the world.

For the past few years, Watson, along with his wife, Sandra, son, Tyler, and father, James, has been actively involved in horse mounted shooting events. The level of involvement has grown from area demonstrations to earning the right to compete at the national level.

Watson is a member of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) out of Scottsdale, Ariz. The organization hosts monthly events and features members from the 48 continental United States.

Mounted shooting consists of horse riders traveling through a partitioned course much like what is used in barrel racing events. Between the barrels, though, are balloon targets which the rider shoots with black powder blank cartridges from .45 caliber pistols. Competitors are scored on accuracy and the time it takes to complete the course. The patterns used in each course are decided upon the day of competition. One of 52 different patterns is chosen randomly. There are two legs to the event, with the first section featuring light-colored balloon targets and the second having dark balloons. A rider uses his first pistol, started with an empty chamber to contain just five shots, for the light targets. The dark targets are fired upon with the second pistol, which also contains five bullets. The bullets do not have lead tips, so as to not fire dangerous projectiles. The black powder charges allow the weapons to pop balloons within a radius of 20 feet while remaining safe to use in front of a crowd.

Watson began competitive shooting in 2007. He's a member of the Missouri Big Irons and Arkansas Hoglegs shooting teams. He has performed demonstrations at the Rector Arena and Chalk Bluff for local crowds.

"It's a lot of fun," Watson said. "That's why we got involved with it. It's something our family enjoys that we can all do. We've spent a lot of weekends going to events together. We all have a good time with it."

Last year alone, Watson says he fired more than 8,000 rounds from his pistols in both competition and practice.

In April, Watson took part in regional final at Tunica, Miss. The competition was a three day event. Through the first two days, Watson led his classification with the best score. On the third day, he missed a single balloon which incurred a five second penalty. The penalty cost him the top finish by one second. Watson finished third at the competition to earn the right to take part in the national finals at Amarillo, Texas.

Mounted shooting is gaining popularity throughout the country.

"We've had people ask us about it," Watson said. "If anybody would like to get involved with it, I'm willing to work with them to help them do it. It's something that I think a lot of people would enjoy if they knew more about it."