Shootout at Cavern Cove 2019

September 13, 2021

Following Ambush at Cavern Cove, 2018, there were a lot of changes going on in the area. Around 225 miles or so to the west of the cove, The Southeast Regional Championship of Cowboy Action shooting, which was hosted by The Memphis Gunslingers in 2017 and 2018, was looking for a new home.

While the leadership of The North Alabama Regulators was willing to take on the responsibilities of hosting such a prestigious match, the change would require many sacrifices and changes. After word started getting out of the plans for NAR to play host to the Southeast Regional shoot, many folks started to wonder, "What is going to happen to the state shoot?"

In order to make room in the schedule for the Alabama State Match, Bushwhacked, the Alabama State Black Powder Championship failed to return in 2019 for a third year. Additionally, a new tradition would take it's place. This new match, known as Shootout at Cavern Cove, would play host to the Alabama State Championship starting in 2019.

The match would take place April 25-27, with exactly six months separating Shootout and Ambush. The biggest change for the match would be moving the shooting schedule back to a Thursday, Friday, Saturday format. Additionally, all events would be held on the range, removing the necessity for folks going other places for the banquet.

To be brutally honest, there were several growing pains the match would need to overcome. The first, and more obvious, is the single page addendum that was handed out with the shooter's book listing changes to several of the stage instructions.

But even with the issues that came up during the weekend, there was nothing that prevented the festivities from going on! Stages were shot, scores were tabulated, and winners were announced.

Additionally, shooters were greeted to a new stage front at Stage 1. The Salon had been torn down and rebuilt in the months since Ambush 2018.

103 shooters ended up finishing the match with Sidekick repeating as overall and Alabama State Champion. This was Sidekick's 13th Alabama State Championship overall buckle. Ophelia Payne won inaugural Shootout top cowgirl honors with Alchemist Belle repeating as the Alabama State Champion. It was Alchemist Belle's 5th Alabama State Championship overall buckle.

Things are starting to pick up very quickly. Less than four weeks from now, we will be previewing this year's match. I hope that you have sent in your registration so we have a chance to say hello on The Firing Line.