Balloon Killers

I caught up with Rick in person in Arizona at the CMSA Winter Championships where he was competing. As one of the new owners of United States Mounted Shooting, he talks about his hopes and dreams for the future of USMS. Learn more about USMS and upcoming shoots check out the website https://usmountedshooting.com/

It's our 25th episode! To celebrate, I talk to Angie Seagle who hails from the pacific northwest and is the treasurer of the Western Washington Mounted Shooters. In this episode we talk about mounted shooting in her area of the country, amongst other things. Just a reminder that the Charlie Little Benefit Shoot is coming up on April 8 in Shelbyville, TN. If you can't attend, you can still...

Jesse and I sat down to talk about days one and two of a three-day bootcamp clinic he facilitated (and I attended) with De Chapman and Matthew L. Jobe in Fountain, CO. I would highly recommend putting this event on your calendar next year!

So many people on the podcast talk about how mounted shooting is a family sport, and in this episode JD Casperson talks about the many different roles he plays in the sport and his pride in the accomplishments of his family.

I first got talking to Trevor about horses feet at the Tombstone shoot in Arizona and was immediately impressed with his wealth of experience and knowledge as a farrier. Trevor talks about shoeing mounted shooting horses and also the many other hats he wears as the husband of a successful mounted shooter, a father of a mounted shooter, and a mounted shooting competitor himself.

While in Queen Creek at the CMSA Winter Championships, CMSA #1 Jim Rodgers and his wife Lily were kind enough to give me a tour of their mounted shooting memorabilia and shared some of their stories.

In this video episode that originally went live on Facebook on 02/22/2025, I caught up with CMSA Director JD Graham on the final day of the CMSA Winter Championships in Queen Creek, AZ. He reviews his time in AZ and talks about what's to come and what we have to look forward to!

In this video episode that originally went live on Facebook on 02/21/2025, I hang out after the showcase with announcers Mitchell Kramer and Adam Ross again to download Stages 3 and 4, and the Friday Night Showcase of the CMSA Winter Championships in Queen Creek, AZ.

In this video episode that originally went live on Facebook on 02/21/2025, Adam Ross and Mitchell Kramer, announcers at the 2025 Winter Championships in Queen Creek, AZ, talk about their highlights of the competition so far, and what to look forward to in the coming days of competition.

Friday 21st February at the 2025 CMSA Winter Championship in Queen Creek, AZ was dedicated to Charlie Little. In this video episode of Balloon Killers that originally went live on Facebook on 02/21/2025, Cathy and Don Litvak, good friends with Charlie and the Little family, share their memories of Charlie. Gary Vickers is putting on a shoot to honor Charlie and fundraise for the Little family. You...

Doug Champion of Champion Living Fitness has coached over 30 NFR qualifiers. He talks about his connection to mounted shooting, his journey from rodeo into fitness, his rodeo school, and suggestions for mounted shooters to improve their health and performance. Find everything Champion Living Fitness on the website including links to their podcast. Check out their YouTube channel and Facebook page...

Jamie Travis talks about the CMSA futurity and derby events and, of course, Travis Quarter Horses! Check out the wealth of resources Jamie provided: https://www.travisfamilyquarterhorses.com https://www.facebook.com/travisquarterhorses https://fb.watch/w-JercbW6n/   https://www.cmsafuturity.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cmsafuturity

Payson Peterson of Pueblo, Colorado, talks about the very early days of CMSA and his journey in the sport. Check out this video of Payson's special horse Plaudit's Joker II aka Percy, inducted into the CMSA Horse Hall of Fame in 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHUM7BCyxDI  

Gene and Lindsay Johnson were the people who introduced me to the sport of mounted shooting through their performance at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. In a full circle moment, I was lucky enough to interview the couple who changed my life! To see Gene's beautiful leather work, please check out Diamond S Leather on Facebook and @diamondsleratherwy on Instagram. If you are a newer shooter or loo...

If you're looking to get into a routine with your mounted shooting practice in 2025, start January with the Balloon Killers January Challenge. This episode provides all of the info you need to participate. There is no cost, and if you complete it you will be entered into a giveaway for a goodie bag. There is no cost to participate, so what are you waiting for? Find the instructions and tracker in...

Adam Ross is not only a talented CMSA announcer, he is also a decorated mounted shooter who has had a phenomenal 2024! He opens his interview with a tribute to Charlie Little. This is the video he talks about.

Jess holds two mounted shooting world records. She talks about growing up in the sport and the horses and people that have been instrumental in her success!

In this episode of Balloon Killers I talk to Paige McGinnis and Kristen Daulton, co-editors of the CMSA Rundown Magazine! If you would like to suggest any content ideas or offer help/support please email cmsapaige@gmail.com and/or cmsakristen@gmail.com

Carl Watson is a veteran mounted shooter, who has helped to set up a number of clubs throughout his time in the sport. He is also a leather worker who makes custom holsters and scabbards. Check out his leather work here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Watson-Custom-Leather-100071139161623/

Carrie Hirshberg of Hirshberg Performance Horsemanship talks to us about building human and equine athletes for the sport of cowboy mounted shooting. Keep checking on https://www.hirshbergperformance.com for the exciting new offerings Carrie describes in her interview.

I interviewed Matt fresh from a big win at the MO state fair. He talks about his focus on horsemanship and making handy horses, and his cowboy top hand competition! Check out Flint Hills Ranchin Adventures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flinthillsranchinadventures/

Laura Smith started Missouri CMSA with her husband Travis. She talks about her many years of experience in mounted shooting and horse training, as well as what it's like to set-up a new club! Check out Missouri CMSA here: https://mocmsa.com/ and on Facebook

Dr. John "Blue" Bunch started out with SASS and is one of the first CMSA members with a double digit CMSA number. He talks about the early days of cowboy mounted shooting, long guns, and his cowboy stories! Check out his books here: Advance Revolvers The French Vaquero: The Story of a Cajun Fighters Journey Verda Veta

Elizabeth Clavette was the 2021 Overall National Cowgirl as well as countless other wins and accomplishments in mounted shooting. She plays Annie Oakley each year at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, and she has published a book called the Ultimate Pattern Guide Book to help newer shooters navigate the different patterns. You can find Elizabeth on Facebook at Double E Performance Horses o...

In the second episode of Balloon Killers, I interview Ken Jardine, the Commander of the CMSA Cavalry Troop and the 2023 Cavalry World High Points Trooper.