Long thought of as a talisman of good fortune, the horseshoe has been revered for centuries. Do you know why?

By Phil Spangenberger


Customs and objects that have long been symbols of good or bad, or referred to in timeless sayings, all trace their origins to either some age-old fact or folklore. Many customs, whether out of superstition or simply to honor some ancient  practice, are followed by us without any knowledge of how or where the custom   originated or stems from. Here is one example. The universally   recognized horseshoe, as a symbol of good luck, dates back to 4th century  Greece. It was the Greeks of that era who first introduced the horseshoe to Western  culture and considered it as a symbol of good fortune. These people felt that the horseshoe’s magical powers were derived from the fact that they were made of iron, an element that they felt could drive away evil; and because a horseshoe was roughly the shape of a crescent moon, long thought of as a symbol  of fertility and good luck. The Romans, who appropriated the horseshoe  from the Greeks, not only used it for its original equestrian utilitarian intent, but  also as a pagan belief of its magic strength. When the custom eventually passed on to the Christians, they gave it their  own spin....

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"For special guns like the “.45 single-action revolvers used for Cowboy Mounted Shooting” you must be at least 26 years old."

By Larry Townsend

I have been dealing with people in the horse industry from Europe for over 15 years. They deal with a government which chooses to control everything-- especially individual rights; to own and use firearms, yet a select few continue to fight back.

I am trying to fi nd a way to help these members with the financial burden of resisting their government’s restrictions on these members. I implore you to read the articles that these people have written. I am looking for suggestions of ways to help raise money to offset the cost, so they can continue Cowboy Mounted Shooting in their countries.

I would like to request all CMSA members who can afford a $20 donation (of which 100% will be distributed to the European CMSA clubs) to help them with their issues. For your assurance, I will publish a complete accounting of all money received and sent to them in a future issue of the Rundown. We will also have the European Clubs provide a detailed accounting of how this money is used.

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RFD-TV network’s live telecast of the Tournament of Roses parade and Equestrian show went live all around the world, including China—and the CMSA proudly rode in it once again!

By Phil Spangenberger



Each year, select equestrian units are chosen to represent the world of horses in the granddaddy of all parades, the Rose Parade. Much more than simply another parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day each year is the culmination of a week’s festivities that include parties, shows, exhibitions, float decoration parties and more. Each segment of the parade, such as the  equestrians, floats and bands each have their own parties, public exhibitions and other celebrations. Unless you’ve been a part of the Tournament and its many aspects of this year’s-end festival, you can’t appreciate the fun each participant has, along with the work that goes into each entry.

Once again, CMSA’s Reserve World Champion Cowgirl, Natalie Johnson, from Phoenix, AZ, rode down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard in her second appearance in this world-famous parade. This year, Natalie, riding as part of the Cowgirls Historical  Foundation (CHF), was joined by another Arizona CMSA rider, Kelly Bennett, as well as CMSA’s Dawn Morris’ daughter, Brooke, who   has tried her hand at mounted shooting, as have CHF members Jody Brooks and Marjon Brady Brown. In fact, Marjon is a past CMSA  Celebrity Shoot winner. Dawn hauled horses for the CHF and along with Natalie’s mom, Marlene, helped behind the scenes with this group.

The Cowgirls Historical Foundation is a nonprofit organization that preserves America's western heritage and the equestrian lifestyle. The CHF participates in parades, ... << MORE >>

        

Plan your Event Calendar to WIN!

CMSA and Hart Trailer, the Official Trailer of the CMSA will present a NEW 4 Horse Gooseneck Trailer Valued at Nearly $30,000 at the 2010 CMSA Hart World Championship in Amarillo, Texas.  Keep an eye on the CMSA points page online and the next Rundown for complete details.

        

If you are skilled with a pistol, rifle or any other firearm, you could win $100,000 in prizes on TV’s first marksmanship competition show. The History Channel and the producers of The Ultimate Fighter are looking for anyone with mind-blowing shooting skills and a big personality to take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professionally trained shooter or a self-taught, average Joe (or Jane!). As long as you’re in good physical shape, have mastered a firearm and can adapt to new weapons and demanding physical situations, you could be America’s first “Top Shot.”

APPLY TODAY!

To apply, email TopShotCasting@gmail.com with your name, city/state, phone number, a recent photo of yourself and a brief explanation of why you should be on the show. Deadline to apply is January 18, 2010. For more information, visit www.pilgrimfilms.tv and click on “CASTING” or call 818-728-3729 TODAY!

* Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship



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Kenda Lenseigne – the first woman in CMSA history to take Overall World Champion Title!
By Phil Spangenberger

The West Texas town of Amarillo was alive with enthusiasm, as for the very first time in CMSA’s history, the Overall World Championship title was won by a woman. Hard riding, straight shooting Kenda Lenseigne, of Ellensburg, WA took the Overall position amidst the cheers and applause of fellow competitors  and spectators! A fierce competitor for many years, the  Overall championship has eluded Kenda, as it has with every other female in our sport, but 2009 has become the Year of the Cowgirl.  Kenda and her handsome AQHA quarter horse, Lieutenant Justin, put it together in Amarillo and blazed their way to total victory! Congratulations Kenda Lenseigne and Lieutenant Justin!

Winning Overall Cowboy honors was Pretty Prairie, Kansas’ own Don Day. Don joined the CMSA in April of 2000 and since then has traveled extensively placing near the top many times at a national level, but never grabbing that gold buckle. That all
changed and 2009 was his year. A "real" working cowboy who has been riding Mother Masterpiece since day one. This sorrel mare shows that just when you think that horse is getting a little too old, that might be when experience really starts to pay off.

Finishing Reserve Cowboy and a very close third overall was former World and National Champion Matt Sronce of Westhoff,  Texas. No stranger to the winner’s circle Matt was riding a line back dun, but not the line back dun, that you’re used to seeing him ride. Clementine, the dun mare that Matt won back to back National and his World title on has been recovering from injuries. Matt grabbed the Reserve World Cowboy honors for the second year in a row riding an 11 year old AQHA gelding  named Bayo (Spanish for Dun) who is actually Clementine’s full brother.

The 2009 Reserve Cowgirl Overall title went to Desert Hills, Arizona cowgirl Natalie Johnson. A college student, 2008 Arizona  High School Rodeo Miss Rodeo placed 4th overall showing she’s much more than just a pretty face. Natalie had spectacular  runs showing poise under pressure and consistency that has put her among the elite in the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting.

With 308 competitors from all over—including 16 Wranglers and our posse of international shooters who hailed from Canada, Germany and Sweden, the competition was fast, furious and friendly.

This much-anticipated championship match—our second World here--was once again held in Amarillo’s TriState Expo,  occupying the spacious Amarillo National Center arena, along with the Cody Horse Barn and arena. For those of you who may have missed these two major events, the Amarillo National Center boasts a 150 x 300-foot dirt arena, plenty big enough for CMSA’s courses, and has seating for 5,000 spectators, as well as spacious vendor spaces that surround the arena.  Altogether, the Amarillo National Center occupies 158,562 square feet of space, while the Cody Horse Barn and its arena  takes up 74,750 square feet, including its 94-foot x 225-foot arena floor (where several of our shorter courses were held, along with a great shooting horse auction).

The World was moved up to October from November this year, to take advantage of Amarillo’s warmer late summer weather, however, we still experienced an unexpected cold and rainy couple of days, but by the latter part of the World, the weather cooperated beautifully and it was as pleasant as could be. Regardless of what the outdoors may have dropped on us, both of the indoor arenas were very comfortable for both horse and rider. Of course, we also faced the legendary West Texas wind. It’s been said that the air in Amarillo is nice…but it goes by you way too fast! Nonetheless, with the sheltered indoor stalls and the warm, friendly welcome we received from the locals, it made for a great week of mounted shooting.

        

By Tammie Durfey

This award is a lasting legacy to the giving spirit of a young lady who’s love of our sport and unselfish attitude set the standard for CMSA volunteers.

My daughter, Tova Durfey, was passionate for the CMSA. She loved competing but more than that, Tova understood what it takes to play our game. The time we each spend in the arena shooting balloons is but a drop in the bucket to what it takes to put on a match.

Behind the scenes is a hustle and bustle of activity, whether it’s obvious, like balloon setters, who often did not return for the second day, or announcers, who can make or break audience involvement. Then there is the unseen, where we have countless hours on the telephone, miles driven to inspect arenas, or the immeasurable patience of search and research to satisfy discrepancies.

Being a volunteer for anything is often a hard, thankless task, which all too often goes unnoticed. The “Tova Durfey Volunteer Award” was created to show those people who work “behind the scenes” that we do notice and appreciate them. Their hard work and willing attitude are the epitome of what our organization is about. Tova and I first met Jim and Lily Rodgers, Phil Spangenberger, Frank Turben, Wes Walton, Annie Bianco- Ellet and many others, in 1998. We were welcomed into the fold with open arms. Due to the demands of life in general, we were unable to attend another match until ... << MORE >>