Shooter Spotlight : Pony Soldier

Where do you live? (what state or country)

  Claremore, OK

When did you start shooting CAS and how did you or who got you into the sport?

  About 9 years ago. I came across it in Tombstone, AZ.

Who was your mentor, either known to them or not?

  Trail Agent. He really took me under his wing. He’s like a brother to me now.

How much do you practice, how many rounds a month do you send down range?

  I shoot about 400-500 rounds a month on average.

Have you won any state, regional, national or world championships?

  I won the OK State Classic Cowboy Championship in 2018 and 2019. Top ten finish (seventh) in Nationals in CCB in 2019.

Tell us about your most memorable match:

  I loaded a bunch of brand new brass for AR State one year and used CLP as a case lube!

over half my primers were inert. 🤦🏻‍♂️

What is your favorite aspect of CAS?

  I like the people, the old west guns, the costuming and the traveling.

Is there a story behind your alias, and what is that story?

  My dad gave it to me as a CB handle as a kid. The Pony Soldiers or scouts were essentially the first intell soldiers. I then spent ten years in the Army as an intell agent.

Do you have a travel/shooting buddy? (you know that friend that makes this game what itis)

  Many. Speed Wagon is like a second dad to me. Rowdy Beller is like an Uncle. Trail Agent from Arkansas is like an older brother to me. Dantankerous and Major Art Tillery are kind of Kansas cousins. Lots of good friends in TX too, Hairtrigger Hayes, Mr. Finger and CoJack to name a few. Then there is my good friend and leather maker, T-Star Smith. Also don’t want to forget Travelin Travis aka “Pa” to Dan and Major.

Where is your favorite place to shoot? (range or match past or present)

  I love shooting at the Bar 3.  I also really like to shoot in Cushing, OK and Oklahoma City. One of my favorite matches of the year is Land Run, the SW Regionals.

Have you tried other categories? What categories have you shot and how did that go?

I love Classic Cowboy. Sometimes shoot Duelist too and even a little Wrangler. I’m better at shooting Double Duelist, which is how I shoot Classic and Duelist.

What is your posse job of choice?

   I like to spot, work as an RO, and even like to pick brass.

What is the time of your fastest clean stage?

  I think one of my best was 22.46 on 10/10/4 as a Classic.  I can break 20 on a 10/10/2 stand and deliver.

What was the best advice you got from a fellow shooter, and who was it?

It’s just a fun game. “IJAFG”  

What advice can you give to some of the shooters reading this?

  Have fun. If it stops being fun, find something else to do. 

What keeps you playing this game?

  The sound of lead hitting steel. Spending time with my friends.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not on the range or shooting?

Spending time with my family.

I became a Life Member this year (2020) and I plan on shooting SASS until I can’t physically do it anymore. I’m only 48 so I hope to be able to go another 35 years or so.