CLUBS WITH UPCOMING EVENTS PLEASE READ....

The schedule shows you have an event coming up we wish you luck and safety. The CMSA office would like to update you on a few items.

Please Send Your Results MONDAY!

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Updated Scoring Spreadsheet -
AVAILABLE NOW! Click Here to download.
(3.26 mb file - May take a few minutes to download.)

DO NOT USE any spreadsheet previously provided. PLEASE DO NOT USE THE ONE ON THE CLUB CD!!!!!! I apologize for the hassle, but please load this one and delete all others.

Here are some tips to make it easier for you and the CMSA office.

1. Please rename the file for each day’s event as follows – this is a HUGE help! Club code+date+# of points – so an Arizona CMSA event would be AZ2022809x2 (for double points – x1 for single) –now when you save it, you know exactly when that event took place and we do too. Sending a file that says ‘Frozen Toes Saturday’ creates more work researching who, what where. And on your end, 3-5 years from today you won’t know which shoot happened when either if you use a name.
   

2. Verify name and number on cards! INSIST that members show their cards at check-in! It is a rule! And will avoid most name & number errors!
   

3. PLEASE SEND YOUR MATCH RESULTS ON MONDAY! The new points page and website are being built to operate in real time. When your events results are uploaded they go immediately to the website – no delay. It also allows us to get new cards in the mail Tuesday instead of Wednesday or Thursday.
   

4. If you sign new members up at the event who compete- please list them on the spreadsheet as a T-1, T-2, T-3 etc. depending up on how many you have. If they ran as T-1 on the first day of a two day shoot, please make them T-1 on the second day.
   

5. All T – emporary’s get designated by class 1, L1, S1, SL1 or Wrangler. If you allow NCC's at your event please put NCC in the place for CMSA # AND CLASS. Except for Wranglers - if you all NCC Wranglers put WR in Class.
   

6. Also with Temporary members please send with the emailed results the all T-members contact info – We need this to accurately process all new members and get their cards to them faster. If we get this info on Monday with your results in most cases they will have their card mailed no later than Wednesday!

   o Name
   o Address, City, St, Zip
   o Phone Number
   o Email address
   o Date of Birth
   o Class
   o Gender

Thank you so much, each and every club president and secretary. You have all been great and the office staff and I stand by ready to help in any way we can.

The CMSA will host a Club Seminar at EVERY one of the Major events this season, except World. Club Presidents, NAB, Scorekeeprs and any club administrators may attend. No charge and come with questions, suggestions and ready to learn.

Thanks for all you do,

CMSA Office

Match Day  
Although you are the Match Director, you do not need to do everything. DELEGATE responsibilities to other club directors and members. Most people want to help to feel part of the club and if everyone does something no one will be overworked.  It will be a very long weekend if you don’t. At the end of this guide there will be a match day checklist. 

Before the first shot  
Choose your Range Masters.  These should be either CMSA certified Range Masters or individuals who are experienced in performing these duties.  (Review the Range Masters Handbook).  Make sure your support staff is ready: announcer, balloon setters, timekeeper, and armorers.   

You will need to randomly draw the courses of fire for the day, 50 numbered poker chips is one way of doing this.  When drawing for stages, a club may eliminate any stage that the Range Master deems unsafe, and a stage the host club has run already that year.  However, there must be a minimum of 20 stages at all times. 

After stages are drawn, meet with your Range Masters to discuss possible problems. This is a good time to form an Appeals Board, which should consist of 3 experienced shooters and one alternate familiar with the CMSA rules. Place the names of the Appeals Board in a sealed envelope. These shooters should not be acting as Range Masters at this match in order to remain non-biased.  It is important that all of these things are done before the first shot is fired. 

Safety Meeting  
Before the match starts you must give all the riders the rules for the weekend. This safety meeting sets the tone for the match and you can address any special circumstances you will encounter over the course of the match; an example would be your balloon setters are on the east side of the arena and your Range Masters will be directing gunfire away from them.   Also, if you are going to be dragging the ground or racking it should be announced here at what intervals that will take place as to provide consistency and fairness.  There is a safety-meeting checklist at the end of this guide to assist you. 

Range Masters   
Once the safety meeting is completethe arena can be turned over tothe Range Master. If possible it is suggested that you, as Match Director, do not act as a Range Master. As Match Director you will need to be able to troubleshoot any problems that may arise. 

End of Match  
After completion of the match announce when the results will be posted and awards presented. The scores will need to be in the prescribed format for CMSA. These scores need to be sent within 48 hours of the completion of the match. 

Summary  
In order to host a successful CMSA match, you, as Match Director you need to do your homework. There will always be minor problems that arise during the course of the match. If the preparation for the match is done, these problems are easy to fix. Remember to delegate responsibilities; you cannot do every aspect of the match. Your job is to make sure every aspect gets done in a professional manner. You are representing both your club or association and CMSA. There are checklists at the end of this guide, use them. 

These points should be covered in your Safety Meeting

SAFETY

All contestants are responsible for their own personal safety and that of their horse. They should also remain alert for other unsafe conditions and/or unsafe conduct by others. All contestants are considered line judges and should take immediate action to remedy an unsafe condition or confront anyone whose conduct is unsafe. 

1.    SAFETY RULES AND GUIDELINES

A.  All firearms shall be treated as if they are loaded. 

B.   All loading and unloading of firearms should be done under the supervision of the designated armorer or line judge.  

C.   All firearms shall remain unloaded until the rider is called to the loading area.

D.  No firearm shall be cocked until immediately prior to engaging a target.

E.   Riders have final responsibility to make sure their firearms are loaded, check for missing or dented primers, cylinders rotate freely and to be certain they are properly indexed prior to stage engagement. The armorer is not responsible.

F.   Competitors are expected to compete safely within their individual capabilities at all times. Do not try to “over ride” your own horsemanship skills.  Control your firearm’s muzzle direction at all times.

G.  All contestants shall be knowledgeable and proficient in the safe use of firearms.

H.  Mandatory New Shooter orientation and qualification rides shall be conducted PRIOR to competition.

I.    CMSA recommends the use of eye protection and ear protection at all CMSA sanctioned matches.

J.    As the national sanctioning body CMSA recommends that Cardholders support the NRA.

K.  CMSA recommends the use of a Range Master and a Line Judge, either on foot or mounted, at all CMSA sanctioned events.

L.   CMSA further recommends Range Master and Line Judge should be over 18-years of age and a CMSA Certified Range Master.

M.  Parents or guardians of minors or their designate may be in the arena when they compete.

N.  The rider assumes all responsibility for participation in these events.

O.  Deliberate gun twirling in an arena shall be a 5 second penalty.

P.   After completing the stage, the contestant shall immediately report to the armorer and unload both revolvers.

1)      IMPORTANT NOTICE

a)      Cowboy mounted shooting requires equestrian and shooting skills of an intermediate to advanced level.Persons unsure as to their own skill level should contact the CMSA about qualifications, practice and pre-match training clinics.

45-Day Checklist 

1.      Check the Hosting arena

Date confirmed

Good ground

Bathrooms

Camping amenities     

Host hotels & motels.

1. Balloon Setters - confirm date and time with crew; ensure tent and cold drinks will be available

2. Announcers/timekeepers/computer entry – confirm announcer and support staff; make sure computer equipment and software is available and who will set that up. Make sure there is a PA system available. Confirm support staff

3. Armorer - confirm dates and availability

4. Equipment  - make sure that the equipment will be brought to the shoot; balloon inflators, poles, cones, timers

5. Ammo and Balloons - confirm who has these and who is bringing them to the shoot.

6. Registration Form and Promotion – make sure someone is circulating the correct form with prices, dates, times etc.

7. Awards - make sure there is someone handling the awards.  This includes ordering buckles, obtaining other prizes, figuring out cash payouts. Etc.

8. Budget - ensure that the budget is being adhered to so that there are no surprises. 

Match Day Checklist

1.      Support Staff in place      

a.      Someone to setup computer equipment

b.      PA system

c.      Timer

d.      Cones and poles – courses of fire for each stage

e.      Balloon inflators, pegs etc. Tent for balloon setters; refreshments for balloon setters.

f.       Tent for Armorer

g.      Someone taking registration

h.      Grounds men

2.      Balloon Setters – instructed as to what to do and when to do it.  Make sure they know to wait for the Range Master’s signal (or the horse to be exiting)

3.      Ammo and Balloons – ensure that they are at the shoot; have someone get the balloons to the balloon setters; ammo should go on the Armorer’s table.  A tent should be put up over the Armorer’s table.

4.      Draw Patterns – Patterns for that day only should be drawn just before the safety meeting in public.  The pattern should not be set up until just prior to the first shot.  No individual should be allowed to walk or run the pattern on horseback prior to the shoot (not even to demonstrate the pattern).  If warm up is allowed in the same arena as the shoot and the pattern is setup, riders should be instructed that they are not allowed to practice the pattern and they should stay to the outside rail.

5.      Safety meeting – assign someone to do the safety meeting.  Make sure that all elements of safety are covered; loading, unloading, gun handling, what to do with unfired rounds, where to enter and exit, etc.   You should especially pay attention to those items that are specific to your shoot.  All of the other safety issues (listed above) should be covered also.

6.      Hand the arena over to your Range Masters. Once they take charge your job in the arena is over, unless someone requests that you convene the Appeals Board. If this occurs, find a private area away from contestants. You need to collect the $50 in cash.  Then you chair the board although you have no voice on the outcome and should remain completely neutral. If the appeal is in favor of the contestant you should return the $50.00 they put up to convene the appeals board.

7.      After the match is concluded the announcer should notify all contestants when and where the awards are being presented.

8.      Your final responsibility as Match Director will be to insure that the results get turned in to CMSA within 48 hours after the completion of the match.