Winternet Shoot
by Greg Custodio
Gunfighters from The Gunslingers, The Thunderbirds, The Okotoks Fast Draw Club, The Shawnee Bandits, The Buckeye Rangers, The Yankee Raiders, The Thundering Guns, The Golden State Gunslingers and The San Miguel Sheriff's Posse joined me at Gunfighter Gulch to celebrate Fast Draw and attempt to dethrone the reigning Top Gun of the Internet, Doc Hric. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared 16 year old Garrett Harmon of the Yankee Raiders stood alone earning his place in the GunFighter Gulch Wanted Poster Gallery. Not only that, he never missed a shot, he had the fastest shot average and he pulled off the fastest shot of the day. Members of the Fast Draw community are not surprised. Garrett was born with Fast Draw in his blood. He is the grandson of Ron and Sue Zimmerman. Ron and Sue have won more Fast Draw trophies than they can probably count. Fantastic job Garrett!
I apologize for the delay in posting the results of the Winternet Shoot. I was unexpectedly drawn into two stories this week.
The first was a modern day Fast Draw story that took all week to play out. When people find out I am a Fast Draw Gunfighter the first thing they usually say is they have never heard of Fast Draw. I tell them Fast Draw has over 60 years of history and it is the oldest organized cowboy action shooting sport in existence. It is enjoyed in the United States, Canada, Scotland, England, Japan and other countries around the World to this day. I tell them stories about celebrities, movie stars and gunfighters of the New West that cast a positive light on the sport. The story I was part of this week reflected a dark side of Fast Draw. Different perceptions creating different realities, accusations of dishonorable acts, lost respect, friendships destroyed, hidden agendas and beating dead horses. Stories like this are easy to find in any competitive sport and Fast Draw is no exception. These stories are often dismissed as just part of the game but stories like this have been the easiest for me to find as I continue to research the history of the sport. Fast Draw may never die but it is my opinion that stories like these diminish the sport a little every time they happen. It keeps the sport of Fast Draw from achieving the respect that it deserves. As a result Fast Draw may remain the most famous cowboy shooting sport that no one has ever heard of.
The second is the personal story of a fellow OFDA International member Humberto “Gaucho Bert” Riselli and the obstacles he is negotiating in his attempt to obtain US citizenship. He and his wife emigrated from Argentina approximately 20 years ago, living and working in Ohio where their sons were born. Over the years and with the guidance of attorneys Humberto says he believed they had finally completed the mandatory requirements to earn citizenship. He was told the last step in the process was to go through an interview at the US embassy in Argentina. He was led to believe the interview was a mere formality and he would be there no longer than two weeks. The interview was scheduled for November 6, 2014. He tells me his family dressed up for this life changing event and they were filled with joyful excitement that the moment had finally come. After presenting his documentation and enduring the extensive questioning he was shocked when he was told his request is denied. He was informed his only recourse is to file an appeal with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which he has done. Heartbroken and unable to expedite the USCIS appeal process the Riselli Family is still in Argentina hoping for a miracle. Please keep them in your prayers. The Winternet Shoot is dedicated to them.
The first was a modern day Fast Draw story that took all week to play out. When people find out I am a Fast Draw Gunfighter the first thing they usually say is they have never heard of Fast Draw. I tell them Fast Draw has over 60 years of history and it is the oldest organized cowboy action shooting sport in existence. It is enjoyed in the United States, Canada, Scotland, England, Japan and other countries around the World to this day. I tell them stories about celebrities, movie stars and gunfighters of the New West that cast a positive light on the sport. The story I was part of this week reflected a dark side of Fast Draw. Different perceptions creating different realities, accusations of dishonorable acts, lost respect, friendships destroyed, hidden agendas and beating dead horses. Stories like this are easy to find in any competitive sport and Fast Draw is no exception. These stories are often dismissed as just part of the game but stories like this have been the easiest for me to find as I continue to research the history of the sport. Fast Draw may never die but it is my opinion that stories like these diminish the sport a little every time they happen. It keeps the sport of Fast Draw from achieving the respect that it deserves. As a result Fast Draw may remain the most famous cowboy shooting sport that no one has ever heard of.
The second is the personal story of a fellow OFDA International member Humberto “Gaucho Bert” Riselli and the obstacles he is negotiating in his attempt to obtain US citizenship. He and his wife emigrated from Argentina approximately 20 years ago, living and working in Ohio where their sons were born. Over the years and with the guidance of attorneys Humberto says he believed they had finally completed the mandatory requirements to earn citizenship. He was told the last step in the process was to go through an interview at the US embassy in Argentina. He was led to believe the interview was a mere formality and he would be there no longer than two weeks. The interview was scheduled for November 6, 2014. He tells me his family dressed up for this life changing event and they were filled with joyful excitement that the moment had finally come. After presenting his documentation and enduring the extensive questioning he was shocked when he was told his request is denied. He was informed his only recourse is to file an appeal with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which he has done. Heartbroken and unable to expedite the USCIS appeal process the Riselli Family is still in Argentina hoping for a miracle. Please keep them in your prayers. The Winternet Shoot is dedicated to them.
The Mr. Clean/Mrs. Clean Award Winners for Hitting All 15 Targets
Garrett Harmon
Ron Zimmerman
Howard Shingler
Shawn Murphy
Tony Wisen
Sue Zimmerman
Dennis Robinson
The Greased Lightnin' Award for the Fastest Shot of .255
Garrett Harmon
For those of you who enjoy the all the detail here is the link to the final score sheet.
Garrett Harmon
Ron Zimmerman
Howard Shingler
Shawn Murphy
Tony Wisen
Sue Zimmerman
Dennis Robinson
The Greased Lightnin' Award for the Fastest Shot of .255
Garrett Harmon
For those of you who enjoy the all the detail here is the link to the final score sheet.
RSS Feed