For the past five years, I’ve had the pleasure of casually photographing cowboy mounted shooting events for the Western Washington Mounted Shooters. This incredible sport, which combines the thrill of horseback riding with the precision of shooting, was completely new to me until I was introduced to it by my good friend, Rebekkah Moore. Bekkah isn’t just any rider—she’s the 2023 Ladies Reserve Overall champion from the Western U.S. Championship held in Las Vegas, making her an inspiring figure in this field.
Over the years, I’ve been invited to several local events to capture the fast-paced action, and every time, I’m blown away by the athleticism, skill, and camaraderie of the riders and their horses. The sport involves competitors riding at top speed through a course, shooting at balloon targets with real guns loaded with blanks. It’s a unique blend of horsemanship and marksmanship, all done with impressive accuracy and grace.
I recently had the chance to photograph another thrilling cowboy mounted shooting event, this time at the Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Grounds. As I look back, I realized it’s long overdue to share some of my favorite snapshots from past Western Washington Mounted Shooting (WWMS) events.
For those unfamiliar with cowboy mounted shooting, it’s a high-energy sport where riders race through a course while shooting balloon targets with single-action revolvers. Speed, accuracy, and horsemanship are essential. Although the sport is still relatively young compared to more traditional rodeo events, it’s growing fast, and it’s easy to see why!
The Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Grounds provided the perfect backdrop for this action-packed event. The combination of skilled riders, powerful horses, and the sounds of gunfire echoing through the air created an electric atmosphere. Watching riders navigate the course with such precision and speed is nothing short of exhilarating, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
What makes mounted shooting particularly impressive is how it blends the art of horsemanship with marksmanship. Riders guide their horses through the course while drawing and firing with precision, all within seconds. The bond between horse and rider is evident, and witnessing the trust and skill it takes to execute such tight maneuvers is one of the reasons I love photographing this sport.
As I sifted through photos from WWMS events over the years, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for both the riders and their horses. The dedication and hard work it takes to compete at this level is inspiring, and I’m excited to see the sport grow in popularity.
Enjoy the photos below and if you ever get the chance to watch or better yet participate you will witness and experience the thrill of this amazing and exciting sport!
