People usually land on Cowboy Mounted Shooting pages for one of three reasons: they’ve seen it at a show and want to know what’s actually happening, they’re considering joining a club and need to understand the safety and gear requirements, or they’re checking whether it’s “real shooting” or a blank-ammunition sport.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting sits right at the edge of horsemanship and firearms handling. Done properly, it’s tightly controlled and rule-driven; done casually, it can become unsafe very quickly. Below is a clear, practical overview of how the sport works in Australia, what equipment is typically involved, and the safety and legal checks that matter most.
What Cowboy Mounted Shooting is (and what it isn’t)
Cowboy Mounted Shooting is a timed equestrian event where a rider navigates a set pattern and shoots a series of balloon targets from horseback using blank ammunition. Competitors usually carry two single-action revolvers, engaging a total of ten targets during a run.1, 2
It is not live-ammunition target shooting. Matches use blanks designed to reliably break balloon targets at short range, and live rounds are prohibited at competitions.1, 2
A brief history: from showground spectacle to organised sport
Mounted shooting has roots in Wild West exhibition culture, where riders demonstrated speed, control, and firearms handling for crowds. The modern sport was formalised in the United States in the 1990s with the creation of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA), and the rules and equipment style still reflect that “Old West” single-action tradition.2, 3
In Australia, participation tends to sit alongside established western and single-action shooting communities, and the same general principles apply: strict firearm control, reactive targets, and disciplined range-style procedures—just with a horse under you.4
How a typical stage works
Most runs are short, bright bursts of movement: a horse accelerates into the pattern, bends around markers, and steadies just enough—again and again—for the rider to place each shot where it needs to be.
- Ten balloon targets are set in an arena pattern.
- The rider enters one at a time, on a start signal once the arena is clear.
- Targets are engaged with blank cartridges at close range.
- Time is recorded, with penalties added for misses and course errors.
Exact patterns and penalty systems vary by organising body, but the structure—speed plus accuracy under control—stays consistent.2
Equipment you actually need (and what’s optional)
Horse and tack
The horse needs to be calm around sharp sound, sudden movement, and the rider’s one-handed rein work. Tack is typically western, chosen for stability and clear cues at speed, but the “right” saddle is the one that fits the horse and lets the rider stay balanced through turns.
- Well-fitted saddle (commonly western style), girth/cinch in sound condition
- Breastplate/breast collar if needed to keep the saddle stable in fast work
- Reins suited to one-handed control (depending on training and rule set)
Firearms and ammunition
Most cowboy mounted shooting rule sets specify fixed-sight, single-action revolvers in .45 Colt (or historically styled equivalents), carried in a secure holster system. CMSA rules, for example, restrict competition revolvers to fixed-sight single actions of .45 Colt calibre, designed prior to 1898 or reproductions of that style.3
Competitions use blank ammunition (not projectiles). These blanks are formulated to break balloon targets at short distance; they rely on the blast and unburnt powder rather than a bullet, which is why target placement and minimum distances matter so much.2, 3
Rider protective gear
Different clubs and sanctioning bodies set different requirements, but in Australia it’s sensible to treat a compliant riding helmet as non-negotiable—especially when you’re combining speed, horses, and firearms handling.
Equestrian Australia publishes a list of approved helmet standards for EA competitions (including AS/NZS 3838 and several international standards), and requires helmets to be worn with the chin strap fastened when an approved helmet is required.5
- Approved riding helmet (correctly fitted and fastened)5
- Eye protection (strongly recommended in any arena with dust, debris, and powder residue)
- Long sleeves, long trousers, and boots with a heel
- Protective vest (club-dependent; worth discussing with local organisers)
Training: what matters before you ever go “fast”
The sport looks like pure speed, but the foundation is quiet repetition: the horse learns that noise is just noise, and the rider learns that safe muzzle control doesn’t change when the horse shifts under them.
- Horse desensitisation: start away from competition intensity—sound, movement, and controlled exposure.
- One-handed riding control: steady turns, straight lines, and reliable brakes while the other hand is occupied.
- Firearms handling habits: safe holstering/drawing, muzzle discipline, and consistent loading/unloading routines.
- Pattern familiarisation: walk and trot the shapes first; let speed arrive later.
Safety: the non-negotiables
Mounted shooting borrows its safety backbone from both equestrian sport and range practice. The details differ by club, but good events all feel the same: controlled entry, clear commands, and no shortcuts.
- Only blank ammunition in the arena; live rounds are prohibited at competitions.3
- One rider at a time on course, with a clear start signal once the arena is confirmed clear.1
- Maintain muzzle discipline at all times, including during holstering and dismounting.
- Gear checks before runs: tack, holsters, and firearm function.
- Plan for horse welfare: heat, footing, and fatigue show up faster when adrenaline is doing the driving.
Legal and admin checks in Australia (don’t skip this)
Firearms licensing, transport, and storage rules are set at state and territory level, and they’re enforced. If you’re travelling to events, build your routine around compliance, not convenience.
As a plain-language baseline:
- In NSW, safe storage requirements depend on firearm category, and ammunition must be locked separately (it may be in a separate locked container within the main container).6, 7
- Queensland Police advise, as a general rule, not to store weapons in vehicles; if unavoidable, strict conditions apply (locked away, out of sight, and not left unattended in an unsecured way).8
If you’re new, your safest next step is to talk to a local club or range that already runs mounted shooting and ask exactly which licences, permits, and storage arrangements apply in your state.
The different types of events you’ll hear about
People often describe mounted shooting stages as “speed” or “precision”, but in practice most competition patterns ask for both: fast lines, tight turns, and shots that still need to be placed within a small window of distance and angle for the balloon to break reliably.
Some clubs also run:
- Introductory or clinic days focused on safe handling and horse exposure
- Class-based competition to separate newer riders from experienced combinations (common in larger organisations)3
About “famous competitors”
Names and nicknames circulate easily online, and they’re often repeated without verification. If you’re looking for recognised champions, check the results and leaderboards published by the sanctioning body running your events (or the club hosting the series), rather than relying on unsourced lists.
The future of the sport
In Australia, Cowboy Mounted Shooting will grow where it stays disciplined: clear rules, serious safety culture, and horses trained with patience rather than pressure. The spectacle is real, but it only works because the groundwork is quiet and methodical.
How to get involved
- Watch an event first, in person if you can. Listen to the range-style commands and how riders enter and exit the arena.
- Find a club that can support both sides: horsemanship coaching and licensed shooting supervision.
- Confirm legal requirements early: licensing, safe storage at home, and compliant transport to and from venues.6, 7, 8
- Start with calm exposure: horses that tolerate noise without tension are made, not found.
References
- Cowboy mounted shooting (overview, typical course format and penalties) – Wikipedia
- Cowboy mounted shooting (blank ammunition and balloon targets at short range) – Wikipedia
- Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) – About / equipment and ammunition notes
- Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) – Single Action discipline overview (firearm types and tradition)
- Equestrian Australia – Current approved safety standards for helmets
- NSW Police – Safe storage (firearms owner responsibilities and storage levels)
- NSW Government (Sydney International Shooting Centre) – General rules of firearms storage
- Queensland Police Service – Safe storage of weapons and ammunition (including vehicles)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom