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REINDEER GAMES

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen-they may be just reindeer to you but when cowboys play reindeer games they take on a whole new persona.  There were practical jokes, card cheating, milk swilling and doe chasing.  In addition to our usual stellar awards, Yosemity and El Cain provided some Santa Surprises by awarding two very good cowpokes a new custom made knife and a hand painted cow skull!

The Indian River Regulators would like to wish all our saddle pards and lassies a safe and joyous holiday season.  You have given so much to us this past year, and we are honored to have all of you with us once a month.  Best wishes for the New Year, and keep shootin’ em up.

The Indian River Regulators would like to say howdy to new shooters Ghost Rider, Two Shot Tinley, Bonanza Bob, Cowpoke Kevin, Sidetrack Sally, El Cain, Clyde Flangebottom and Lefty Lebow. 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!

Many thanks to Quicksdraw Connie for her holiday brownies.  A big muchas gracias to posse marshals El Concho, Black Diamond Doug, The Jailer, Bad Hombre and Quicksdraw Connie.  Tip of the Stetson goes to everyone that helped set up and tear down, and to Coyote Love for his “random act of cowboy kindness” in the form of the doughnuts.

UPCOMING MATCHES

It’s that time of year again!  The Last Stand is coming up fast.  It’s the most cowboy fun possible packed into four rip-roarin’ days of cowboy excitement.  If you haven’t gotten your application in yet, do it fast!  If you don’t plan to shoot, come on out and visit with the vendors and just spectate.  It’s quite a show!  Look for the Indian River Regulators on Stages 2 and 4, and the Pocket Pistol/Derringer Side Match.  We’ll see you there!

Before you know it, spring will have sprung and it will be time for the Ides of March in Eustis.  Mark you calendars and get in those applications.  CC Kid can provide you with the particulars and Night Train Kate has applications.

COWBOY CLASS & R/O CLASS

We have resumed the monthly cowboy classes on the first Saturday of the month. Please contact Utah at (321)951-1223 or Turkey Creek Red at (321)728-7928. 

The next Level I R/O course will be in March.  More details to follow.  There will be another Level II R/O class at Okeechobee the first weekend in February.

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 out 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.  The Engravers will be at the Last Stand in January.  If you didn’t get a chance to visit with these nice folks in November when they were here, please check them out.

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)728-7928, 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:                   January 25, 2003 – Revenge of the Red Sash Gang

                                    February 22, 2003 – Queen of Hearts

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

1050 Grapefruit Road SE

Palm Bay   FL   32909