Aug 6, 2015

Cowboys and cowgirls compete at Willow Brook Farms.

: Jessica Flores, center, holds the Maryland State Flag during a flag ceremony before the start of a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: From left to right: Samantha Davis, Mark Mangus, and Hailey Renshaw sit on their horses during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Art Williams prepares his horse before competing in a new stage during a competition at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: David Billotte, of Frenchville, PA, rides his horse in circles to gain speed during a stage during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: John Berry, of Mifflintown, PA, shoots a balloon during a stage during a competition at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: John Berry, of Mifflintown, PA, shoots a balloon during a stage in a competition at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Cowboys watch a rider during a competition round. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Florence Carr, Perkasie, Pa., reacts after completing a clean round of competition, not allowing any penalties to her overall time. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Kathy Henry, of Mifflintown, PA, reacts after missing a balloon following a round of competition. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: A cowgirl shows off her .38 caliber pistols between competition stages. Authentic single action pistols can cost up to $1000 per pistol. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: A cowgirl shows off her .38 caliber pistols between competition stages. Authentic single action pistols can cost up to $1000 per pistol. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Competition managers watch a cowboy compete a round during a stage. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Fellow riders and enthusiasts watch cowboys and cowgirls compete at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: David Billotte, of Frenchville, PA, shoots a balloon during a stage in competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: David Billotte, of Frenchville, PA, fixes the brim of his hat before a competition round. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Morgan Swanson, of Tennessee, prepares to draw her pistol while riding towards the first balloon target. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Mark Mangus, of West Grove, PA, shoots out a balloon during a competition. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: A cowboy signals rider Kevin Hittinger before the start of a competition round. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Kevin Hittinger, of Whitehall, PA, shoots a balloon during a stage during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Kevin Hittinger, of Whitehall, PA, shoots a balloon during a stage during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Jessica Flores, Gaithersburg, shoots a balloon during a stage during a competition at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Rob Johnson, of Whitehall, PA, signals a cowboy before the start of a competition round. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Paul Treas, Turboville, Pa., leans against a railing between competition stages at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Cheryl Dougherty looks at her .38 caliber revolver after reloading it before riding in a competition. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Jimmy Diven, of Mufflintown, PA, rides towards a balloon during a round of competition at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: A hat lays on the ground after falling off of a cowboy’s head during a competition round. (Tom Brenner / Baltimore Sun)

: Samantha Davis shoots a balloon during a stage during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Samantha Davis celebrates after finishing a round during a stage during a competition at Willowbrook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: A pair of pistols lay in a pickup truck bed. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

: Hundreds of .38 Caliber black powder bullets sit inside of a bucket at Willow Brook Farms. (Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun)

Photos and text by Tom Brenner

Almost every weekend, cowboys and cowgirls from across Maryland and around the country come together to compete against each other in some high-speed gunplay. The catch? Shoot out ten balloons in less than twenty seconds while riding on horseback.

The Pennsylvania based group, known as the “Keystone Cowboys” competes at Willow Brook Farms in the small town of Catasauqua. The group is part of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, the organizing body for one of the fastest growing shooting sports in the country. Riders, as young as 12, are equipped with two single-action revolvers that fire .38 caliber black powder cartridges. The objective is to shoot out the balloons attached to stands inside the course. If a rider misses a balloon or drops their pistol, it is a five second penalty on their overall time. The rider with the lowest time in their age group wins the stage.

Cowboy mounted shooting competition

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