New to Mounted Shooting? You’re in the Right Place
Whether you’re exploring the sport for the first time or looking for a rider‑focused organization to grow with, USMS offers clear guidance, beginner resources, and a supportive community. Start with Mounted Shooting 101 or learn more about our membership opportunities.
Start Your Mounted Shooting Journey
Get a quick overview of how mounted shooting works, what to expect at events, and how USMS supports riders at every level. Explore the basics in How to Get Started or dive into the details of How USMS Events Run to see what makes our organization unique.
Discover the Sport. Experience the Difference.
Mounted shooting is fast, exciting, and welcoming — and USMS is built to help our riders thrive. Check out Our Rule Book, then see why so many competitors choose USMS through our event structure, bigger payouts, and a truly rider‑driven community.
What Is Mounted Shooting?
Mounted shooting is a fast‑paced equestrian sport where riders navigate patterns while engaging balloon targets with specialized blank‑firing revolvers. It blends horsemanship, accuracy, and speed, making it one of the most exciting western disciplines for riders of all ages. As a growing sport with national visibility, mounted shooting offers newcomers a welcoming entry point and a clear path for progression.
Mounted shooting is built around timed patterns known as stages. Each stage is a unique course that blends turns, straightaways, and balloon target sequences designed to test a rider’s control, accuracy, and forward momentum. Riders enter the arena, cross the timer line, and guide their horse through the pattern while engaging targets with certified black‑powder blanks. Because the ammunition is designed to break balloons at close range, riders must maintain precise positioning and smooth lines through the course.
Every stage is scored using a raw time, clean shooter scoring system, creating a balance between speed and consistency. A missed balloon, knocking over a barrel, missing a gate, and deviating from the best line are just some of the penalties that add time to your score. This scoring system ensures that the fastest rider isn’t always the one who wins — the rider who can stay clean, efficient, and composed under pressure typically wins the stage.
Stages are intentionally varied to keep competition exciting. Some emphasize tight turns and quick transitions, while others reward raw speed with extended target sequences. Riders must adapt to each pattern, manage their horse’s energy, and maintain their own horsemanship throughout 75 different patterns. It’s a sport where horsemanship and marksmanship work together, and where small improvements in control, timing, and rhythm can make a big difference in overall performance.
Essential Gear & Equipment
Mounted shooting requires a well‑trained horse, two single‑action revolvers, certified blanks, and basic western tack. Riders can also use safety gear such as ear protection, eye protection, and appropriate attire. While the equipment list is simple, proper setup ensures safety, accuracy, and confidence in the arena. See details in our USMS Rules and Regulations.
Who Can Participate
Why People Love the Sport
Mounted shooting combines adrenaline, horsemanship, and community in a way few western sports can match. Riders enjoy the thrill of competition, the satisfaction of skill development, stages that restart, running multiple horses at an event, and the camaraderie of a supportive family‑friendly environment. Many participants say the sport keeps them motivated, active, and connected. Explore more in Our Rules, learn How the 4D Format Works, and check out How to Get Started in Mounted Shooting.
Where USMS Fits In
USMS provides a modern, rider‑focused framework for mounted shooting competition, offering clear rules, transparent scoring, and some of the most competitive payouts in the sport. With age divisions for Buckaroos and a performance‑based 4D format for all other riders, USMS creates a fair and welcoming environment for riders to grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more on How USMS Events Work.
How to Get Started with USMS
Your First Steps
What You’ll Need for USMS
Join us and experience bigger payouts, straightforward scoring, and a truly rider‑driven community.