By Linda Miller

Looking back on our early beginnings, we find Don Burress and Denny Shewell at the 1994 Festival of the West in Scottsdale, AZ, taking in a new cowboy adventure. However, what they saw there didn’t become a reality for the easterners until 1998, when at Big Rock Camp, where rumors circulating around were captivating and intriguing. Th ey were all about shooting pistols off the back of a galloping horse! The contagious conversation tipped us off that something new and exciting was about to bust wide open! Dan & Connie App, Ron Pope,
Dick Ulen, Don & Kay Burress, Denny Shewell, Darius Ward, Mike & Barb Bryant, Butch & Lee Bryant, Tom & Linda Miller and Tom  Wiedenauer were on the scene that day. Th is new equine sport called cowboy mounted shooting was about to rock the nation with excitement and enthusiasm. Th e rowdy, hard ridin,’ fast shootin’ cowboys were splittin’ the breeze out of town to get to the next CMSA event. Th e adrenalin-fi lled sport spread quickly across the nation, over the eastern banks of the Mississippi River and into Ohio.

1st Ohio visionary, Dick Ulen thought mounted shooting sounded like a good idea; Dan App had the horses and Dick had the guns; that’s all it took for an awe-inspiring cowboy plan to become a reality. Th e Ohio cowboys quickly met to test this new idea with guns a  blazing and horses running wild. It was obvious the first Ohio-based CMSA club was in the making. The articles of incorporation were
filed, March 17, 2000. Dan App became the President of the club. His sense of pride and accomplishment has carried on over a decade as President, Vice President, and Director of 1st Ohio.

Bobby Ruwe proved to be another prominent figure in shaping the direction of 1st Ohio. Bobby’s background gave us years of experience in barrel racing, rodeos, organization and planning. Don Burress fi rst introduced Bobby to the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting in 1998. He quickly moved through the ranks of CMSA becoming a loyal advocate and supporter of the sport, both locally and on a national level. He is Chairman of the CMSA National Advisory Board and Advisor to the Midwest Region, a Hall of Famer and remains a Top Ten contender in the sport. Bobby has played an active role in 1st Ohio since 2001, serving as Director, Vice President, President and Treasurer. His motto is “Just trying to make a Diff erence.”

Dan & Connie App organized many great events in the early years of 1st Ohio CMSA. We saw the Grand opening of Th e Buffalo Trading Post on Sunday, June 27, 1999 as the Apps opened their new store. Th ey welcomed all for chuck wagon grub, story telling, cowboy mounted shooting and fast draw exhibitions. A huge crowd of anxious cowboys gathered to welcome the Old West atmosphere and a new place to purchase cowboy attire. On August 29 and September 19, 1999, Th e  Apps hosted CMSA timed riding events at their Oakwood Run Farm, featuring 3 stages of cowboy mounted shooting.

Another milestone occurred on September 25 and 26, 1999 when two reputable shooting clubs; 1st Ohio and the IOK Rough Riders, joined forces for the “September Stampede” at the JB Ranch in Miamisburg, Ohio. Th is was the first of many fundraisers for 1st Ohio. Shooters rallied in support of Candle Light, an organization providing services for children with cancer. Things began to move forward at a rapid rate of speed with an ever increasing need for more shoots, bigger arenas, more members, more and better equipment, faster horses and a more efficient way of recording ride times. 1st Ohio Cowboy

Mounted Shooters hosted its first CMSA World Point Qualifier at Miamitown, Ohio on November 6, 1999, with 25 shooters. Today, many 1st Ohio members have advanced to top level competitors like Adrianne Fowler, Steven Wilson, Joyce McKinney, Joyce Mingus, Eric Nelson, Rick Deckena and others--the list goes on and on. 1st Ohio continues to strive toward our basic cowboy code of ethics and to meet the needs of our professional competitors as well as our weekend warriors. We are proud of our continued eff orts in giving back to the community through annual fundraisers. Our most recent endeavor was the 2009 Tribute to John Wayne, in memory of the late Carl Adkins. Th rough a group eff ort, 1st Ohio successfully raised over $2,200 in support of cancer research and patient
assistance.

The 1st Ohio and its icons mentioned in this article, along with the many directors and volunteers over the past decade, have taken mounted shooters on an incredible journey through the Old West! Th e great times of competition and camaraderie have created memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to the future together! Watch our website (1stohio.com) for upcoming information about our big fun 10th Anniversary Shoot Out in Miamitown, scheduled in May 2010.

From the very start, the 1st Ohio exhibited great strength and effort toward the development of a well-organized club. Our dedicated group of members and volunteers rally together in commitment for honesty, self discipline, team play and good sportsmanship. Our efforts paid off , gaining 1st Ohio the recognition and credibility known within the Cowboy Mounted Shooting industry today.