First of all a HUGE California Desperado thank you to our host Ron Kemper, his lovely wife Johnna, and sons Creed and Shamus for the warm welcome. The backdrop for this shootout at Hamilton Ranch was spectacular and the toil this family put into making the arena area and laying out camping facilities was simply fantastic. It is a great opportunity for all of us, through this great sport of Mounted Shooting to meet such wonderful new friends. 

Our campsites were nestled under the shade of beautiful pine trees, with water….our sacred resource at these fandangos; available to us and our horses. The shoot was literally a blast. The riders and shooters just came pouring in and totaled 50 competitors. WOW! This was a CMSA  Points Qualifier…the competition was fierce. Day one three stages were completed, started on time with a stringent order of go; a policy stressed and carried through with a sense of urgency encouraged by the ‘Queen of Everything’ …our own Kathy Tarrantino. Uh, Hum, President Whiteley you're still on the list of missing persons! You can run, but you can't hide…the real Joe will be found. 

Saturday night, oh we must relent that the guys have it with their performance of "Born to Be Wild"; Outlaw Randy stole our hearts, as did Kali Nevada, Hickock, Lil Casino and a stage of others that we groupies were endeavoring to attack. Kansas T. alias Tawna Houghland let her hair down for the first and perhaps last time insisting to L.C. Winchester that she "Did Not Drink". True to her word, however, she rode to a blistering victory….besting tough competition in Ladies Division 3. Congratulation K.T.

Try as he might, T. C. Thortenson couldn't overcome the outrageous speed of Kenda Klein’s raw times. He was gracious, however, vowing to bring a thoroughbred  to the next match. Kenda tore her way through the stages, shot clean to a victory; took away a buckle large enough to serve dinner for eight, and a beautiful etched trophy resembling a mountain top. One that she seems to be on the peak of…having won the overall in the last two Desperado matches. Kenda’s parents competed in this shoot, announced in bio as Kenda’s Dad and Kenda’s Mom; Kenda’s significant other (what's his name) is now known as that guy (not really we love you Frank). All I want is to ride and shoot like Kenda, P.S. At the next shoot, I will be referred to as Kenda’s friend.

Finally, during a conversation while observing the events of the moment, Kathy Tarrantino and Wildcat Kate gave birth to what are endearingly know as the "Chickerados". Forget the Dixie Chicks…..we are the "Chickerados". Members in good standing must have the highest standards of character and attitude. BarbWire, BJ Neale,  Janean Sanders, Carol Michel, Pat Vazquez, Janice Kheemer, and a host of others will be sporting Chickerado-tude hereafter! Remember: A Chickerado is hard to stop!!