Welcome To The Home Of Mason Dixon Deputies Maryland's Only Sanctioned Mounted Shooting Club
Who are the MASON DIXON DEPUTIES? The Mason Dixon Deputies (MDD) is the Maryland Mounted Shooting club affiliated with the national Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA)®. CMSA is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the nation.
Are there horse requirements like breed, or registration? Any breed of horse or mule is allowed to be used to compete. Some horses take to this sport easily, others do not. A horse's temperament and the riders desire to train him/her to become accustomed to shooting, turning, and going fast will be the deciding factor to success in this sport. Many riders will use earplugs for themselves and their horses as this sport is noisy!
What type of firearm is used? In following with the CMSA guidelines, competitors use two .45 caliber single action revolvers to shoot 10 balloons in a course while being timed. The .45 caliber single action revolvers are like those used in the late 1800's. Single action revolvers must be cocked each time before firing by drawing the hammer back.Each revolver is loaded with five rounds of black powder blanks. When fired the burning embers of the black powder pop the balloon. The embers will only reach approximately 15-20 feet making this fast action sport safe for competitors and spectators.
Is live ammunition (lead bullets) or bird shot used? No. The brass cartridges used are loaded with black powder (like that used in the 1800's). This load pops a balloon from a distance up to about 15 feet. Live rounds are strictly prohibited at competitions. At each event, the rider's guns are checked as he/she enters the arena, and checked upon unloading the guns after the rider is finished. Riders are not allowed to carry loaded guns outside of the arena or when not competing.
Emphasis on Safety Safety in horse training and firearm handling are emphasized at all times. Many clubs sponsor clinics to assist new shooters in starting their horses and learn the basics of safe firearm handling. Range masters are in the arena at all times during competitions to insure safe riding and shooting is exercised. New shooters are usually required to demonstrate that they have achieved minimum acceptable levels of riding and shooting skills.
How does the rider carry two guns while competing? Riders can buy 'off-the-shelf replicas' of the old time gun belts and holsters. Custom-made gun belts and holsters can be ordered to suit each riders preferences and specifics. There are several custom 'makers' that you can find in CMSA rundown or other western magazines.
I am a new shooter and/or rider. Are there different skill levels in competition? Yes. CMSA has a variety of competition levels allowing all ages and skill level to participate in this highly addictive sport. There is a Men's Division, a Women's Division, and a Senior's Division, with Classes Levels 1-6 in each of the gener divisions. There is also a Wrangler Class for those 11 and under. All riders and competitors start at Class Level 1. When a rider secures a qualified win as a Level 1 shooter four times, they will then advance to a Level 2. When they then secure a qualified win as a Level 2 four times, they then advance to Level 3. This is the same to advance to a Level 4 shooter. once a competitor reaches a Level 4, he/she will need to secure 5 wins to move up a level. The same is necessary once shooting at a level 5. There is no further advancement of skill level once a rider becomes a Level 6 shooter.
How can youth be involved? Are youth allowed to compete with firearms? Yes... and no. Riders 11 years old and younger compete in either the Wrangler Limited Class (10 years and under) or Wrangler Open Class (11 years old). Both classes of Wranglers ride the same pattern as the adult competitors. They then shoot the real McCoy (.45's with blanks) at balloons, from the ground while standing stationary with mom or dad at their side. Limited Wranglers - Ride the course pattern with no firearm. Open Wranglers - Have the option to shoot Hollywood cap pistols or engaging each target as if they were shooting real blanks (dry firing).
How is a competition or sanctioned shoot scored? Competitors are scored on time and accuracy. There is a 5 second penalty for each missed balloon, a 5 second penalty for dropping a gun, a 10 second penalty for not running the course correctly and a 60 second penalty if a rider falls off his/her horse. Speed is important, however, accuracy is usually more important than speed. A typical pattern can be run in 15-35 seconds, so penalties can be detrimental to a final score. Is there a pattern to ride? Yes. There are 50+ possible patterns. The patterns can be pre-determined or can be drawn out of a hat on the day of the competition. A competition may consist of 3 to 6 patterns for each competition (or shoot). Each pattern consists of 10 balloons. There are 5 white balloons and 5 red balloons. The rider shoots all 5 white balloons first. Then, the rider holsters the first gun while riding to the far end of the arena, draws the second gun, and shoots the 5 red balloons which are usually a row straight towards the timer line. These 5 balloons are often referred to as 'the Rundown'.
What the dress code for competitors? There is a dress code for competitors. Competitors may either dress in traditional western style or in the old time style of the late 1800's. Traditional style (which many competitors choose to compete in) includes a long sleeve western shirt, 5 pocket blue jeans covered by chinks or chaps, western boots, and a cowboy hat.
If a competitor prefers 'rolling back the clock ' to the late 1800's try to look as authentic to the period as possible, shirts without collars worn with high-waisted button pants (that do not have zippers) and an old style cowboy hat in an example of a period outfit that could be worn for competition.