HORSIN' AROUND
FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS MAKE THEIR MARK COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING EQUESTRIAN SPORTS
or spectators, watching a Florida Peacemakers competition is exciting, fast-paced and festive. For participants, it’s challenging, exacting and a whole lot of fun.
The Florida Peacemakers is a group of adults and children who participate in Cowboy Mounted Shooting using two .45-caliber single-action revolvers (loaded with black powder blanks) while barrel racing, pole bending and reining. The object is to shoot 10 balloon targets as they ride through the challenges. The competitor who rides the fastest and has the fewest missed marks—wins! The competition is a hog-killin’ good time and the excitement usually “sticks around” after the exhibition. Line dancing and karaoke often take place. For the Peacemakers, it’s a chance to bond. “Afterward, we all gather around the barn and enjoy food, drink and friendship while the horses are watching over the festivities,” says Cindy Stavely. The group’s secretary, she is from Hastings, in St. Johns County.
Florida Peacemaker Jeffery Salter checks his gun to make sure it is correctly loaded with black powder blanks.
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Those who are part of the group attest that the bonds run deep. “Competitors in the same division will help out fellow shooters if they need tack, guns or even a horse to ride,” Stavely explains. Meanwhile, new shooters are lent a hand, a gun, a holster and even a mount to give it a try. “They are some of the finest competitors you'd ever meet,” she adds. The group is an all-volunteer club. Putting on matches, especially the big competitions, requires help from everyone. “The whole club pitches in to make them happen,” Stavely says. The Florida Peacemakers is part of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, or CMSA. It’s a national organization that holds large championship matches all over the U.S. Many Florida Peacemakers participate in the matches, including going to places as far away as Las Vegas. Thanks to the warm weather of the Sunshine State, the Florida Peacemakers are able to compete all year round. Most matches are held in Lady Lake, in central Florida’s Lake County. Bigger matches, such as the New Year's Match, are held at the Clay County Fairgrounds. This past New Year’s Match drew competitors from all over the country, and the State Championship match drew 150 to 200
THANKS TO THE WARM WEATHER OF THE SUNSHINE STATE, THE FLORIDA PEACEMAKERS ARE ABLE TO COMPETE ALL YEAR ROUND. MOST MATCHES ARE HELD IN LADY LAKE, IN CENTRAL FLORIDA’S LAKE COUNTY.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFFERY SALTER
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Written by: Ava Grace
