Lincoln County Regulators

Lincoln County, New Mexico

There are lots of legends and a modicum of truth based on the exploits of William McCarty, who later became William Henry McCarty-Antrim, who changed his name in Lincoln to William H. Bonney, but was mostly known as the Kid. And Billy the Kid was the subject of the Lincoln County Regulators’ first ever annual Cowboy Action Shooting extravaganza, Billy the Kid’s Breakout, sponsored by City Bank New Mexico. The event took place on the weekend of August 7, 8 and 9, 2009 with Sgt. Shuster, SASS #60835, founder of the Lincoln County Regulators, serving as Trail Boss and Lincoln County Regulator John Steele, SASS #82159 serving as Match Director. Timing and Scoring was supervised by Lincoln County Regulator, Rowdy Lane, SASS #82087.

The Regulators built props, cut and welded targets, moved earth, spread gravel, painted buildings, gathered bits of Western ambience that ranged from elk antlers and coyote hides to lariats and lanterns, did historical research, found sponsors and did a year’s worth of work in a relatively few months. John Steele designed the stages. Rowdy Lane cut and welded steel to fabricate the targets. Lincoln County Regulator Special Constable Frank Coe, SASS #81585 worked on constructing the Western buildings and Lincoln County Regulator Kiowa Mike, SASS #81548 was foreman on the crew painting them. Lincoln County Regulator Angelo Pete, SASS #83812 even repaired railings at the last minute. Lincoln County Regulators families pitched in to help as Waddies, too. Kerri Walker, Dani Midkiff and Carolyn Vickers worked as Time Keepers, Gay Thurman handled Scoring, Kody and Jake Rowe served as Runners, Sheila Rankin aided with refreshments and vittles, while Critter and Brandon Rankin painted, handled the parking and worked in the field kitchen.

Just as popular with the 92 competitors and their guests as the side matches and the main match based on the career of Billy the Kid was the Friday evening get-acquainted cocktail reception at the Lodge at Sierra Blanca, the Saturday evening Old West Banquet, featuring historian Drew Gomber, at Cree Meadows Country Club and the Sunday spent in the historic village of Lincoln, site of the Lincoln County War. “You just can’t get more cowboy than all that,” according to Regulators Special Constable Frank Coe. And the 92 cowboys and cowgirls who came to Ruidoso, New Mexico from as far as the states of Washington, California, Louisiana and Ohio, agreed. Shooters came from all over New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado, too.
The Lincoln County Regulators’ first annual shoot began with side matches written and honchoed by John Steel. The side matches were held at the Cowboy Action Shooting Range and Old West Town located at the Ruidoso Gun Club range in Ruidoso Downs. The 50 to 100 yards Long Range pistol caliber Rifle competition was bested on the ladies' side by Annabelle Peacock, SASS #50114 of Tucson, AZ and by Life-r, SASS #44051 of Columbus, OH. Ten shots had to be fired in a 20 second time limit. The ten round Speed Pistol contest was won by John Steele for the men and Annabelle Peacock for the ladies. For the ladies, Texas Tiger, SASS #74829 of Albuquerque, NM won the ten rounds, two targets Speed Rifle struggle along with Mica McGuire, SASS #18526 of Rio Rancho, NM for the men. The battle for Fastest Regulator, with ten rifle, ten pistol and 4 plus shotgun rounds, was taken by Texas Tiger for the women and Life-r for the men.
After all that moving and shooting, the cowboys and cowgirls were ready for some relaxation and socialization at the Friday evening get-acquainted Cocktail Reception. The party was held in the beautiful lounge of The Lodge at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso, renowned for it’s breathtaking view of Sierra Blanca, the sacred White Mountain of the Mescalero Apaches. Once the canapés were devoured, lots of new friends got together for dinner at restaurants all over town.
The shooting started in earnest on Saturday morning as 60 competitors armed with six guns, lever guns and scatter guns converged on the Lincoln County Regulators’ Cowboy Action Shooting Range and Old West Town in Ruidoso Downs to shoot six exceptional stages based on the daring misadventures of Billy the Kid. The competitors were divided into three posses. After the Raising of the Colors, accompanied by Lincoln County Regulator Kiowa Mike on the cavalry bugle, and the Pledge of Allegiance, a Safety Briefing was held by Frank Coe. Members of the Rockin’ H 4-H Club shooting team got ready to retrieve brass.

Depicting the first time young Henry Antrim really got into trouble on September 23, 1875 in Silver City, Stage One, "Stolen Laundry" was won by Fast Hammer, SASS #60707 from Las Cruces, NM. Also left holding the bag was Texas Tiger in second place and English Lyn, SASS #74828 of Albuquerque, NM in third. The stage was shot through wash hung out between City Bank New Mexico and the Celestial Laundry

Mica McGuire triumphed while shooting over the adobe wall in Stage Two, "The Ambush of Sheriff Brady," with English Lyn coming in second and Life-r in third place. This stage depicted the shooting of Brady on April Fools Day, 1878 and because Billy got winged and had to drop a rifle, the shooter had to start holding a rifle but laying it down before beginning with revolvers.

Stage Three, "Buckshot Roberts," portrayed the battle at Blazer’s Mill where legend has Roberts shooting up the Regulators from the outhouse. This stage, which started with shooters sitting on the “facility” was bested by Mica McGuire with second and third earned by English Lyn and Fast Hammer.

City Bank New Mexico’s Billy the Kid’s Breakout paused for a Brisket and Beans lunch from the Allen Family Caterers. Lincoln County Regulator Scarlett Lane, SASS #84914 supervised the field kitchen.

Stage Four, "Trapped," saw Texas Tiger attain the top spot with Fast Hammer in second and English Lyn in third place. Pat Garrett’s posse had tracked the Kid to remote Stinking Springs and, because a shot horse blocked the gang’s exit, competitors had to stage long guns on a horse in front of the door.

Stage Five depicted the Kid’s escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse. Billy managed to get the best of Deputy Bell and when Deputy Bob Ollinger heard the shot he ran across the street from lunch at the Worley Hotel to the Courthouse. Waiting for him with his own shotgun was Billy whose famous greeting was, “Hello, Bob.“ Mica McGuire was the victor of "The Breakout," and John Steele took second with English Lyn in third place. Competitors had to shoot up the “target stairs” and through the jailhouse window and door.

Stage Six, "Empty Chamber," depicted Billy’s run-in with Joe Grant in a Fort Sumner saloon. Grant brags that he’s going to kill Billy and Billy, unrecognized, asks to see his gun. The Kid rigs the gun not to fire, hands it back and introduces himself. John Steele came in first with Rowdy Lane and Mica McGuire in second and third. Shooters not only had to shoot down the plates on the racks, they had had to knock down the activators with their shotguns and possibly get a bonus on the flyers. Two in a row!

And, that’s right, Pat Garrett didn’t get Billy in the final stage. The Lincoln County Regulators had to leave something for next year, to be sure.

Mica McGuire and Texas Tiger prevailed as Top Overall Gentleman and Lady Shooter respectively. Tops with the Junior shooters was 13 year old Ricochet of Ruidoso, NM.

Age based, Standard, Black powder and Costume categories in City Bank New Mexico’s Billy the Kid’s Breakout were won by Ricochet as top Buckaroo Gal, Mica McGuire as number one Cowboy, John Steele was top Wrangler and Pecos Cahill, SASS #75623 of Hermleigh, TX led the 49ers. Texas Tiger was the number one Lady Wrangler and Annabelle Peacock was top Lady 49er. Best in the Senior category was English Lyn, SASS #74828 of Albuquerque with Rosie Rash, SASS #42709 of Terrell, TX taking the best Lady Senior spot. Leading the Silver Seniors was Tail N Kid, SASS #43802 of Connerville, OK with Cat Ballou, SASS #55 of Tijeras, NM leading the Silver Senior Ladies. Top Elder Statesman was Dry Creek, SASS #2755 of Brighton, CO.

In the Standard categories, best Duelist was Fast Hammer, SASS #60707 of Las Cruces, NM, top Senior Duelist was Hondo, SASS #21 from Moreno Valley, CA and leading Silver Senior Duelist was El Viejo Cougero, SASS #43225 of Carlsbad, NM. Top Gunfighter was Tex, SASS #4 from Tijeras, NM. Making lots of smoke in the Black powder category was Life-r, shooting Frontier Cartridge.

Top "B" Western shooter in the Costume categories was Brushy Bill, SASS #44261 from Alamogordo, NM, along with Hot Tamale, SASS #78531 of Burleson, TX taking top Lady "B" Western honors. Leading the Classic Cowboys was Doc Baker, SASS #50032 from Las Cruces, NM.

Shooting a Clean Match for the day were Rusty Fillins, Rosie Rash,. Dry Creek, SASS #2755 from Brighton, CO, Hondo, John Steele, Brushy Bill, Tomahawk and Ed Shortround, SASS #78338 from Killeen, TX.

Once all the shooting had died down and the smoke cleared, everyone headed for the mountain village of Ruidoso and Cree Meadows County Club for the Old West Banquet, featuring historian and author Drew Gomber. Gomber, an expert on the Lincoln County War among other Western lore, has appeared on the History Channel and Discovery Channel. His interesting talk separated most of the legend from the still fascinating facts and was enjoyed by all. So was the dinner, featuring carved-to-order Chateaubriand and a whole passel of fixins for the baked potatoes.

Life-r, from Columbus, Ohio was awarded "The Cowpoke Farthest From Home Award." The Costume Contest, led by Sgt. Shuster with the audience voting for the winners, was won by the husband and wife team of John Steele and Lincoln County Regulator Ginger Malloy, SASS #82160. Lots of door prizes were given away, as well. The Deck of Cards Raffle netted Dry Creek a Remington Cowboy Action Shooting double-barreled shotgun, donated by Larry Wimbrow of Firepower in Ruidoso. And speaking of luck, Dry Creek also won the next Deck of Cards Raffle for a custom made hat valued at $300 from Bronco Sue Custom Hats of Ruidoso, a SASS affiliated merchant, and he graciously donated the hat back to the Lincoln County Regulators.

Sunday saw the Cowboy Action Shooters in historic Lincoln for Cowboy Church and a bit of that Old Time Religion at the Pageant Arena. Presided over by Sgt. Shuster, an ordained Catholic deacon, the old fashioned worship service featured Praise and Worship music led by Scarlett Lane, with a solo of Amazing Grace by Miss Emily Vickers. All of the hymns dated from the Old West era. Frank Coe read the scripture and Lincoln County Regulator Miss Kitty Kaffeine, SASS #82174 led the intercessory prayers.

After church, the cowpokes in their Old West garb and packin’ iron participated in the Old Lincoln Days Grand Parade and those who couldn't walk all the way down that famous street rode with Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Virden in his horse-drawn wagon. The parade watchers really enjoyed the SASS Old West look and the participants really enjoyed walking the same street and seeing the same buildings as those legendary Lincoln County War characters. Lincoln is perhaps the best preserved town in all the West.

Everyone then spent the day touring the historic Lincoln State Monuments buildings, including the Tunstall store and the Lincoln County Courthouse. Winding up the day in Old Lincoln for the participants in City Bank New Mexico’s Billy the Kid’s Breakout was the annual pageant, "The Last Escape of Billy the Kid."

The community really got behind the Lincoln County Regulators in their quest to bring visitors to Lincoln County, especially the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, Steve Talley, director of Tourism for the Village of Ruidoso and Lonnie R. Nunley, the Mayor of the Village of Ruidoso.

The major sponsor for Billy the Kid’s Breakout was City Bank New Mexico, whose president, Lincoln County Regulator Usurious Dave, SASS #80436, worked as a Waddie for the entire event.

Stage and Target sponsors were Best-Corn Ranch, offering custom guest ranch vacation packages and Firepower Gun and Pawn of Ruidoso. Foxworth-Galbraith provided all the shooters’ prizes and Copy-Rite of Roswell and Ruidoso printed the Shooter’s Program and lots more.

Loading and unloading tables were sponsored by Golden Yarn Flooring, SASS Affiliated Merchant Bronco Sue Custom Hats, Dylan Midkiff, DDS (Rusty Fillins, SASS # 82379), C & S general commercial, residential and remodel contractors( John Steele), Sierra Contracting and Zia Natural Gas, all in the Ruidoso area.

Other local sponsors included Adam C. Rafkin, Attorney at Law, Southwest Securities FSB, BuyRuidoso.com, Wal-Mart, Pioneer Bank, Ben Passmore, MD (Doc Lecter, SASS #81609), Blended Essentials (Ginger Malloy), and two more SASS Affiliated Merchants: Laced and Kona Cowboy Coffee Company (Sgt. Shuster), and every cowpoke‘s best friend, Anonymous.

Shooters are already marking their calendars for August 13-14-15, 2010 to join the Lincoln County Regulators in their Second Annual Billy the Kid’s Breakout, Same History, New Stages… in historic Lincoln County. Plan now to have a real Cowboy Action Shooting adventure in the tall, cool pines of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Who knows, maybe in next year’s match Pat Garrett will get Billy!

Mica McGuire, SASS #18526

Texas Tiger, SASS #74829

Ricochet

Gentleman John Steele, SASS #82159

Lady Ginger Malloy, SASS #82160

Junior Ricochet

Buckaroo Gal Ricochet

Cowboy Mica McGuire

Lady Wrangler Texas Tiger

49er Pecos Cahill, SASS #75623

Lady 49er Annabelle Peacock, SASS #50114

Senior English Lyn, SASS #74828

Lady Senior Rosie Rash, SASS #42709

Silver Senior Tail N Kid, SASS #43802

Lady Silver Senior Cat Ballou, SASS #55

Elder Statesman Dry Creek, SASS #2755

Gunfighter Tex, SASS #4

Duelist Fast Hammer, SASS #60707

Senior Duelist Hondo, SASS #21

Silver Senior Duelist El Viejo Cougero, SASS #43225

Frontier Cartridge Life-r, SASS #44051

Classic Cowboy Doc Baker, SASS #50032

"B" Western Brushy Bill, SASS #44261

Lady "B" Western Hot Tamale, SASS #78531

Buckaroo Gal Ricochet

Wrangler John Steele

Lady Wrangler Ginger Malloy

49er Frank Coe, SASS #81585

Senior Louisiana Slim, SASS #77390

Silver Senior Rowdy Lane, SASS #82087

Elder Statesman Sanford Elliott, SASS #81950

Duelist Oso, SASS #82209