5th ANNUAL RECKONING AT RED MOUNTAIN PASS
2007 SASS CANADIAN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug 31, Sept 1 & Sept 2, 2007

By Rusty Wood SASS # 50427 Match Director

  Once again the report of six-guns echoed through the pass and the valley filled with clouds of billowing white smoke as the Red Mountain Renegades hosted the 2007 S.A.S.S. Canadian Regional Championships at the Mission & District Rod & Gun Club. Situated in the beautiful natural valley between Bear Mountain and Red Mountain in Mission, BC Canada, the range offers a very comfortable and inviting venue for the event with a generous portion of warm Canadian hospitality. It was wonderful to see familiar faces again and meet many news ones. I was very happy to see Mud Marine SASS# 54686, Into Buffalo SASS# 47315, Never Metta Stranger SASS #43871 and her husband Dead Lee SASS# 43870 all make the journey from south of the 49th parallel once again.

  This year’s event started with an RO II course on Friday morning by Gunfighter Jim SASS# 31412 and Cariboo Lefty SASS# 5391. It was well attended and raised the bar of cowboy shooting in these parts, thanks guys for that. While the course was being run, the waddies of the shoot worked hard to set up the rest of the stages and side matches. Later that afternoon the side matches challenged everyone’s skills. At times it was standing room only. A hush came over the crowd as some competitors showed off their finely honed skills and blazing speed, while other times it was a roar of laughter as some of us had a train wreck trying too hard and could not hit the side of a barn ! It was fun, fast and furious as we all tried to best each other or win that side bet for who had to buy the beers later that evening at the cowboy swap meet and bonfire. When the smoke cleared the results were tabulated and can be seen above.

  The main match started early Saturday morning with a safety meeting and our thoughts and prayers went out to some fellow cowboys who were unable to make it due to health problems. This year Can Hop SASS # 49605 and I wrote all the stages. We had fun poking fun at many of our fellow shooters not the least of which was that Gifford Gringo SASS #41076. Each stage was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek and smirk on face. For example on Saturday Stage 4 had each competitor ask a buxom likeliness of Miss Dallas Dancer SASS #42365 for her hand in marriage. Then on Sunday Stage 9 saw everyone change their minds;

Stage 9: CHANGE OF HEART
Yesterday, Miss Dallas accepted your proposal and the engagement party went on until late in the night. As you are having a hot bath the next morning you ponder why a man would settle for just one woman ? Especially considering Miss Victoria Diamond done taken a shine to you and last time Miss Never Metta Stranger sure didn’t play shy with you. Hmm, maybe this getting hitched is a might too soon. But how to get out of it and with the ring you done gave her ? Well, your gonna have to fight your way out cause Miss Dallas has never let a man get away from her, alive that is; let alone with some of her beloved jewelry. Better hurry, the train’s about to leave town too.

Start: With hat in hand held on your chest and other hand at your side say “Miss Dallas I done made a mistake ? ”
Buzzer: Grab the ring from where Miss Dallas has hidden it for safe keeping (bosom). Run to the right window and with your first pistol shoot the five men R-L. Holster that pistol and step to the alley. ………..

  This is but one example of our creative stages we are very proud of and so many shooters enjoyed participating in. Add to that elaborate props and colorful decorations and it all makes for a fun and light atmosphere. Saturday evening saw the formal dress promenade and the costumes were fabulous. Everyone enjoyed strolling around socializing with complimentary wine being served before dinner. The side match awards were presented after a wonderful roast beef and salmon Wellington dinner with all the fixin’s and then it was onto the prize table. The prize table was the biggest and best we have had to date thanks to our wonderfully generous sponsors. The prize table held over $5000 in prizes and required four tables to display. Prizes included a Marlin rifle from Marlin Firearms, a Puma rifle from Legacy Sports international, coach gun from Remington Arms and a coach gun from Marstar Canada. (a full list can be seen at above)

  Sunday we continued the great times with five more creative stages and another mouth watering dinner. After dinner our Mayor Mr. James Atebe welcomed all the competitors to our town, congratulated everyone for supporting a first class event where all members of the family could enjoy the shooting sports safely together and even tried to sell a few local lots in the process. The dress awards were then presented and then it was onto the match awards. The 2007 S.A.S.S. Canadian Regional Champion buckles went to Cariboo Lefty SASS# 5391 and Misty Sky SASS# 72520. Congratulations and great shooting.

  Then it was onto the Spirit of the game award. This year it went to a non shooter, Mrs. Corinne McLay, aka Mrs. Hoppy who is always at the shoots with her husband Can Hop SASS# 49605 helping clean and decorate the clubhouse, bus the banquet tables, greet the competitors or just bring a smile to your face. But this year over a period of 8 months, she spent countless hours making a beautiful 18” x 20” cross stitch with over 55,000 stitches in it, had it professionally framed and then presented it to us as her contribution to the prize table. Can you say cowboy spirit ? What a fine lady and class act. The formal festivities wrapped up and the bonfire was lit. The die-hards like Antelope Kid SASS # 60817, Dallas Dancer and myself kept the bonfire going until 2 AM socializing and making up new excuses why we missed so many of those dang targets.

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that worked so hard to make this event the great successes it was and especially thank 41 Colt Bob SASS# 52998 and Judge Bill Spinks SASS# 72357 the chairmen of the Red Mountain Renegades for all their hard work throughout this year. I would also like to thank my good friends and the best damn cowboys I know, Gifford Gringo and Can Hop “Hoppy”, for their dedication to this sport and the cowboy way. Hope to see you all on the range and invite you to come shoot with the Red Mountain Renegades anytime. For more information and schedule click on Red Mountain Renegades botton on the left.

Best regards, Rusty Wood