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Arizona Rangers bring back Territorial Days
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| On course: Anita Kay proceeds to the next target during mounted shooting competition Saturday in Benson. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Despite the chilly weekend, mounted shooting competitors at the Arizona Rangers Territorial Days said they loved the arena and crowd.
On Saturday, although sunny, the wind that kept the audience cool posed an added challenge to competitors.
John Wiest, fairly new at the equine sport, said the balloons on the course can take a dive in the wind, and it can cause problems shooting. In one of his patterns, Wiest missed a couple of balloons because of the wind.
Larry Murphy from Apache Junction came off the course with one of the 10 balloons still intact, but said he loved the arena, and the tournament in Benson.
"This is a great place, a great crowd, probably one of the biggest I've seen, and really this wind adds to the challenge for all of us," said Murphy, who has competed in the sport for the last nine years.
Anita Kay, also known as "Dread Lock" and "Load," said it's a little more difficult to get low times when shooting is a little off and the wind makes the horses a little more jumpy.
"I was happy to come up here and support the Rangers," Kay said. "This is a great way to showcase this sport. The wind adds a little more entertainment. The sparks fly back at us in the ride and horses really feel fresh in this wind."
Natasha Nathan found out quickly about the horse factor in the race as she ran her pattern in Saturday's later rounds. More than once she had to get the horse back on track, as he continued to get jumpy and bounce off course.
Some missed balloons and the problems with her horse pushed Nathan past the one-minute mark.
Earlier in the race, another rider logged a time just under 20 seconds.
Jo Butler, of Tombstone, was dressed in red and ready to compete, but was disappointed coming off her run with two balloons still intact.
"This is really a great event; the wind just adds a little more challenge, that's all," she said.
Members of the Benson Company of the Arizona Rangers said for their first major fundraiser they were pleased with the turnout. Between sponsorships from the city and Allstate Steel, donations from the public and proceeds from the shooting compensation, the company netted several thousand dollars.
About 50 competitors from throughout Arizona, and as far away as Montana and Tennessee, attended the shooting competition held at the arena. After tournament action throughout the day Saturday, the Rangers also hosted a dance.
On Sunday, the cloud cover made the tournament even colder and saw fewer spectators.
Wayne Robertson, a winter visitor from California, said he enjoyed the tournament, and thought it was great of the Rangers to hold the community event.
The Rangers of Benson Company plan to make Territorial Days an annual event. The 2010 celebration will be Feb. 13 and 14.
Despite the chilly weekend, mounted shooting competitors at the Arizona Rangers Territorial Days said they loved the arena and crowd.
On Saturday, although sunny, the wind that kept the audience cool posed an added challenge to competitors.
John Wiest, fairly new at the equine sport, said the balloons on the course can take a dive in the wind, and it can cause problems shooting. In one of his patterns, Wiest missed a couple of balloons because of the wind.
Larry Murphy from Apache Junction came off the course with one of the 10 balloons still intact, but said he loved the arena, and the tournament in Benson.
"This is a great place, a great crowd, probably one of the biggest I've seen, and really this wind adds to the challenge for all of us," said Murphy, who has competed in the sport for the last nine years.
Anita Kay, also known as "Dread Lock" and "Load," said it's a little more difficult to get low times when shooting is a little off and the wind makes the horses a little more jumpy.
"I was happy to come up here and support the Rangers," Kay said. "This is a great way to showcase this sport. The wind adds a little more entertainment. The sparks fly back at us in the ride and horses really feel fresh in this wind."
Natasha Nathan found out quickly about the horse factor in the race as she ran her pattern in Saturday's later rounds. More than once she had to get the horse back on track, as he continued to get jumpy and bounce off course.
Some missed balloons and the problems with her horse pushed Nathan past the one-minute mark.
Earlier in the race, another rider logged a time just under 20 seconds.
Jo Butler, of Tombstone, was dressed in red and ready to compete, but was disappointed coming off her run with two balloons still intact.
"This is really a great event; the wind just adds a little more challenge, that's all," she said.
Members of the Benson Company of the Arizona Rangers said for their first major fundraiser they were pleased with the turnout. Between sponsorships from the city and Allstate Steel, donations from the public and proceeds from the shooting compensation, the company netted several thousand dollars.
About 50 competitors from throughout Arizona, and as far away as Montana and Tennessee, attended the shooting competition held at the arena. After tournament action throughout the day Saturday, the Rangers also hosted a dance.
On Sunday, the cloud cover made the tournament even colder and saw fewer spectators.
Wayne Robertson, a winter visitor from California, said he enjoyed the tournament, and thought it was great of the Rangers to hold the community event.
The Rangers of Benson Company plan to make Territorial Days an annual event. The 2010 celebration will be Feb. 13 and 14.
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miserable troll wrote on Feb 22, 2009 8:24 AM: