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HOW HOT IS IT?

Pretty durn hot-just ask anybody that was there!  The cowboys were hot, the lead was hot, hell-the whole place was hot!  Just remember: we put up with the heat because we can shoot in the winter time (or some such cowboy logic).  We tried something a bit different by incorporating two shooting stages in each bay, and it worked pretty well!  We’ll have to try this again!

The Indian River Regulators would like to thank Utah coming up with the concept of the “dual stage” concept for this month’s match, and for his wonderful stage designs.

The Indian River Regulators would like to say howdy to the new shooters-glad you could join us. Welcome to our pistol packin’ friends from across the state-you folks came a far piece to try your hand at this gunfight-hope y’all come back soon!  It was nice to see all the spectators-hope we have some future cowboys out there!

As always, thanks to Quicksdraw Connie for her brownies.  She has been very busy with the demands of a new job but still manages to get the cowpokes fed.  Muchas gracias to the posse marshals who kept things moving.  A big tip of the Stetson to Utah, Lawdog and Burt Blade for setting up, and to everyone who pitched in to help tear down.  Many hands do make light work.

The Indian River Regulators wish to apologize for the slight error in the scoring program this month.  It has been corrected, and will be back on track for September.

COWBOY CLASS & R/O CLASS

We have resumed the monthly cowboy classes on the first Saturday of the month. If you have never done action shooting cowboy style, and would like to give it a try, these are the folks to talk to.  If you need a little practice, or polishing of those very important shooting skills, this is a good time!  Please contact Utah at (321)951-1223 or Burt Blade at (321)242-8163. 

The next Level I R/O class will be at the Port Malabar Range on Sunday, September 28, 2003 beginning at 9:00.  The cost is $10, and you will need to bring something to snack on.  Please pre-register with Turkey Creek Red at (321)728-7928.  We need to make sure we have enough teaching materials available.

There will be a Level II R/O class held in Orlando on Sunday, October 26, 2003 in the pavilion behind the action area.  Class begins at 9:00 am, and the cost is $25.00.  Please bring your own lunch.  This will be the last R/O II course before the Last Stand and you must pre-register with either Turkey Creek Red or Kid Hawkins.  Remember: if you are planning on being an R/O for the Last Stand, you must hold a Level II rating.

UPCOMING MATCHES

As the weather starts to get a little better, seems like everyone wants to have a big match.  The Georgia State Championship-The Ride of the Immortals is a great match if you don’t mind driving a bit.  The Georgia boys will be shooting it up in September.  The wonderful folks over in Naples have moved the Shootout in the Swamp to October 18-19, 2003. Get in touch with Dixie Lady at (239)5662047.  The South Carolina State Championship-Shootout at Givhans Ferry is November 6-9, 2003.  Get in touch with Beau Knight at (843)5568737.  Black Hills Blacky and his gang will be having their two-day shoot in December and it sounds like a great time.  Don’t forget: the biggest, grandest shoot out of them all is coming up fast in January – THE LAST STAND, your Florida State Championship.  We have it on good authority it promises to be the best ever – more shopping, more shooting, more dancing, more eating and more good times than you can shake a hog leg at.  Hope to see you there!

FROM THE PONY EXPRESS

Safety is always first and foremost.  Please remember Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club is a private range, and we have a lot of people shooting in areas you can’t always see.  Please do not handle your guns unnecessarily at your vehicle when transferring them to gun carts.  Be mindful of your muzzle direction.  Resist the urge to show off that new fancy rig until you are inside the action area in a designated safe area.  Observe the 10mph speed limit.  Please park in the open lot across from the registration area and NOT along the bullseye line.  Additional parking is available in the pistol practice area just south of Bay 1.  Parking inside the action area is limited to handicapped vehicles without trailers and Indian River Regulator Cowboy Council members.  Your support and consideration in these areas will make us better neighbors with our other shooting disciplines.

You know, it takes a lot of work for a fun, safe shooting day.  Everyone has something they can contribute.  Don’t let your posse marshal be the only one running the timer all day.  They are out here to have fun, too.  If you don’t know how to run a timer, we’d be happy to show you how they work.  The loading and unloading tables need attendance, times and scores need to be recorded, there is always brass to pick up, and there needs to be at least three spotters for each shooter.  Pitch in! It’s the cowboy way!

Visit us at our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.  You’ll find scores, directions to the club, the monthly newsletter and exciting pictures to entertain you between matches.  Web Master Burt Blade has been instrumental in ramroding this enterprise and we hope it has made things a little more convenient for you.

Remember, at the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, all juniors shoot free of charge.  This is an excellent way to get more young people involved in our wonderful sport.  If you know someone who might be interested in cowboy action shooting, please encourage them to attend the cowboy class and come join the fun!

Need cowboy stuff? Bullets, clothes, hats, reloading equipment?  John’s Precision Bullets and Byrds Western Wear have the solution to your problem!  By supporting them and other cowboy vendors, you support cowboy action shooting locally.

Next time you’re out on the Malabar range you might want to check out Rawhide’s guncart.  He and his beautiful bride do custom woodwork and such, and if you’re looking for that one of a kind cart, you might want to chat with him a bit.

Got comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Got an idea for a stage?  WE WANT YOUR INPUT!  This is YOUR shoot and we feel this truly is an interactive sport!  You can write us, call us at (321)242-8163, or e-mail us at Ccoll28198@aol.com – even if you want to remain a “Ghost Writer”.  We members of the press know how to protect our sources.  And now you can visit us on the web at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.

GOD BLESS AMERICA  &  HAPPY TRAILS

Next Shoot:                               September 27, 2003 – Lady Luck

                                                                        October 25, 2003 – The Haunted Mesa

                                                                        November 22, 2003 – Turkey Trot

                                                                        December 27, 2003 – A Cowboy Christmas Carol

Registration opens at 9:00am, mandatory shooter’s meeting at 9:30am, shooting starts at 10:00am.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  All first time shooters with the Indian River Regulators must check in with safety officers prior to the shooter’s meeting (please register early so you can join your posse on time).

                   Visit our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com

Ghost Writers of the Purple Sage

P O Box 100861

Palm Bay   FL   32910