Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
founded mid 1990s
- Fastest Growing Equestrian Sport
- two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition
- It is required that you dress western
- You can use any horse or mule
Live rounds are strictly prohibited at competitions
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
PO Box 157
Roswell, NM 88202
888.960.0003
About the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) is a leading governing body for cowboy mounted shooting, a timed equestrian sport that blends horsemanship with Old West marksmanship. The association was organized in Arizona in 1994, drawing on the shooting exhibitions of late 19th-century Wild West shows. Riders guide a horse through one of more than 60 course patterns and shoot ten balloon targets with two .45 caliber single action revolvers, each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared black powder blank ammunition that breaks a balloon at short range. The fastest time with the fewest misses and penalties wins, and every event is overseen by a certified mounted range officer.
For gun owners, the CMSA keeps the single action revolver and Western heritage alive in a family-friendly format with a near even split of men and women competitors. By 2014 the association reported more than 13,000 members, more than 100 local clubs in four nations, over 600 sanctioned events a year and more than $700,000 in annual payouts. Its season includes a Winter U.S. Championship in Queen Creek, Arizona, Nationals in Tunica, Mississippi, and a World Championship held each October in Amarillo, Texas. As of 2026 the CMSA continues to sanction events across North America.
Key Facts
- 1994: Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association organized in Arizona
- February 2014: 20th anniversary year opens with the Winter Championship in Queen Creek, Arizona
- 2014: over 13,000 members and more than 100 clubs in four nations
- October 2018: World Championship held in Amarillo, Texas, with 360 to 400 athletes expected
Sources
- Cowboy Mounted Shooting Assn to Kick Off 20th Anniversary Competition (EquiMed)
- Inside Events: Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (Sports Destination Management)
- Cowboy mounted shooting (Wikipedia)
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