END of TRAIL 2024 - The World Championships in Phoenix, Arizona!

END of TRAIL 2024

By Misty Moonshine, SASS #83232

As the sun rose over the desert horizon on February 25, 2024, Ben Avery Shooting Facility just north of Phoenix, Arizona became so much more than just a gun range. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders and their incredible crew of 58 Rangers, the facility was transformed into the 43rd Annual END of TRAIL, the SASS World Championships of Wild Bunch Action Shooting and Cowboy Action Shooting. 

Plenty of sunshine was on the menu for this year’s event, and rumor had it that Arizona’s own Sunshine Kay, SASS # was to be credited for the gorgeous (and dry!) weather.

END of TRAIL kicked off with the first 3 days dedicated to the World Championship of Wild Bunch Action Shooting. The Wild Bunch match welcomed 120 competitors in 2024- a testament to the hard work and commitment of the match producers.

END of TRAIL is a pilgrimage for SASS members worldwide, and the event drew 660 Cowboy Action Shooting competitors from 11 countries across the globe- including Australia, Austria, Canada, Great Britian, Germany, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States- travelling some 650,000 combined miles and firing 278,000 rounds downrange! The youngest gunslinger at EOT was Lil Miss B Haven, SASS #111649 at 8 years old, and the oldest was Vaquero Viejo, SASS #55732 at 89 years young.

When you step onto the grounds of EOT, you’re immersed in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere carefully curated to ensure an experience like no other. Vendor row boasted an array of sutlers to shop, a wide variety of food and snack vendors were on hand to quench your appetite, and around nearly every corner was a friendly Ranger tipping their hat and saying howdy.

The Cowboy Action Shooting field opened on Tuesday and ushered in Registration, Raffles, RO courses, Cowboy Trap and Skeet, and a Doily Gang Clinic just for the Ladies. Wednesday offered plenty of shooting and included 3 waves of warm up matches, long range events, Cowboy sporting clays, speed events, and a Plainsman event. As the on-the-range activities wrapped up for the day Wednesday, folks began to make their way to the main tent for the Opening Ceremonies and appreciation dinner. Each country had a designate to carry their nation’s flag into the main tent as part of the color guard for Opening ceremonies, and each nation’s anthem was played for the crowd. The evening finished strong with a special drawing and presentation by the Junior Shooter Sponsor Mernickle Custom Holsters, SASS’ presentation of the Class of 2024 SASS Regulator awards, and a tasty appreciation dinner was served to all, after which Ranger Worst Case Scenario, SASS #112070 led a fun round of Karaoke to ease the tension on the competition’s eve. 

The heart of END of TRAIL lies in the competition, and it did not disappoint. 12 world class shooting stages were presented amidst a backdrop of stages and props with remarkable attention to detail. The 12-stage main match for Cowboy Action Shooting was shot across three days: Thursday-Saturday, each posse shooting a morning wave, a mid-day wave, and a late wave rotation. Thursday kicked off the main match competition, and while each posse took their turns on the range, another competition was taking place at the Stage stop as the Cowboy Shooting Costume contest was held.    

Thursday’s schedule ended following the SASS Territorial Governors meeting and a bustling swap meet packed full of goods, guns, and various wares for a bargain!

Friday brought more sunshine and slinging lead downrange for main match competitors and concluded with a Mexican dinner in the main tent along with a performance by Frosty Mac on stage, followed by the presentation of the Side Match Awards and the wildly popular and highly contested world Championship of Cowboy Bingo games. With a little skill and a bit of luck, Lady Tucker, SASS #105530 outshined the others and bingo ’d her way to taking home the coveted World Championship of Cowboy Bingo Buckle.

Saturday signaled the final day of the competition on the range while a variety of Wild West Entertainment took stage in the main tent and throughout sutler row to entertain competitors, guests, and spectators alike. As the day began to draw to a close, the shooting competition concluded, and the range closed as the Saloon opened and folks donned their finery as Best Dressed Costume contest began. A lighthearted and fun energy hung in the air as the main tent filled with folks sharing tales of victory and heartache on the range. A delicious carving board style buffet was served as the tent filled with friendship and laughter.

As the evening began, the Ladies of Cowboy Action Shooting (LOCAS) group presented the END of TRAIL 2024 Cowgirl of Honor award and recognition to Renegade Roper, SASS #86367.  The Costume Promenade followed and the Best Dressed costume awards garnered admiration and applause from all in attendance. The announcement of the Top 16 contenders gave way to an epic ending to the evening with music presented by the Pat James band as folks lingered around the bar or went for a few spins on the dance floor.

Day broke on the final day of the event on Sunday morning with the Top Gun Shoot off. Spectators and fans lined the stage with cheers and anticipation to witness the top men and top ladies go head-to-head in a thrilling elimination shoot off.  When the smoke cleared, two winners emerged, Holy Terror SASS #15362 triumphed as Top Lady, and Fast Enuff SASS #85412 took Top Man - with Fast Enuff surpassing Holy Terror in the head-to-head.

As the dust settled and the echoes of gunfire faded into the distance, hundreds found a spot in the main tent as END of TRAIL 2024 paid homage to its champions across 49 shooting categories.  122 shooters shot the match clean- just under 20% of the total number of competitors. Handshakes, hugs, and applause filled the tent as category top tens filed up to the stage across 49 shooting categories, leading up to the crowing of the Overall World Champions. With unparalleled speed and accuracy, Dead Eye Dillard, SASS #23582 from Porter, OK emerged victorious once again as the 2024 Men’s Overall World Champion.  Cimarron Sonia, SASS #108893 from Montrose, CO was a force to be reckoned with; her skill setting her apart in a field of formidable competitors and securing her the title of 2024 Ladies Overall World Champion at 18 years old.

In the end, END of TRAIL 2024 left an indelible mark on all who experienced it. Thanks for the memories!

END of TRAIL CAS World Champions 2024

Overall Man: Dead Eye Dillard, SASS #23582

Overall Lady: Cimarron Sonia, SASS #108893

CAS Category World Champions:

Lady Senior B-Western: Cooncan, SASS #101282 (KS)

Senior B-Western: Ben Fishin, SASS #106674 (OK)

Silver Senior Classic Cowboy: Dragon Hill Dave, SASS #59561 (TX)

Buckarette: Sweet K. Oss, SASS #106975 (NM)

Buckaroo: Jace the Ace, SASS #111226 (FL)

Junior Girl: Sassy Tullahassee, SASS #111550 (OK)

Junior Boy: Bush Ax Jack, SASS #110539 (NC)

Classic Cowgirl: Half-A-Hand Henri, SASS #9727 (NM)

Classic Cowboy: Slick McClade, SASS #69490 (LA)

Lady B-Western: Sandy Beach, SASS #107582 (OK)

B-Western: Boaz, SASS #88829 (OH)

Elder Statesman Gunfighter: Cheyenne Culpupper, SASS #32827 (OH)

Senior Gunfighter: Whisperin’ Wade, SASS #36209 (OR)

Lady Gunfighter: Shamrock Sadie, SASS #78511 (AZ)

Gunfighter: Rusty Remington, SASS #61821 (TX)

Lady Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter: Pistol B, SASS #112784 (ID)

Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter: Damascus Jon, SASS #87751 (ID)

Silver Senior Frontier Cartridge Duelist: Stone Creek Drifter, SASS #58853 (OH)

Lady Frontier Cartridge Duelist: Shirttail Bess, SASS #92250 (AZ)

Frontier Cartridge Duelist: Dammit Olli, SASS #68338 (Germany)

Elder Statesman Frontier Cartridge: Silver City Rebel, SASS #38607 (GA)

Lady Senior Frontier Cartridge: Yazoo City Gal, SASS #68552 (GA)

Senior Frontier Cartridge: Roy’s Creek Dan, SASS #73697 (OK)

Lady Frontier Cartridge: Lady Jane, SASS #72857 (NM)

Frontier Cartridge: No Hands McGee, SASS #96506 (ID)

Cattle Baron Duelist: Amaduelist, SASS #28092 (FL)

Elder Statesman Duelist: Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118 (AZ)

Silver Senior Duelist: Hawkeye Kid, SASS #24196 (CT)

Lady Senior Duelist: Dakota Wild Kat, SASS #42584 (ND)

Lady Duelist: Quick Chick, SASS #106974 (NM)

Duelist: D. Stroyer, SASS #105724 (NM)

La Reina: Lawless Lori Sue, SASS #80852 (NM)

El Rey: Jayhawk Jerry, SASS #84162 (KS)

La Patrona: Ramblin’ Rose, SASS #2811 (AZ)

El Patron: Buck Garrett, SASS #47172 (CA)

Cattle Baroness: Lefty Jo, SASS #18830 (CO)

Cattle Baron: Knot Hardly Dunn, SASS #43113 (AZ)

Grand Dame: Lilly Long, SASS #81344 (UT)

Elder Statesman: Hell’s Comin’, SASS #56436 (AZ)

Lady Silver Senior: Not So Dead Eye Maverick, SASS #4435 (CA)

Silver Senior: Reverend Leadslinga, SASS #101284 (AZ)

Lady Senior: Texas Tiger, SASS #74829 (NM)

Senior: Willie Mescal, SASS #86327 (MO)

Lady 49er: Missouri Mae, SASS #80828 (OK)

49er: Rephil, SASS #5897 (Germany)

Frontiersman: Crazy Cryder, SASS #88986 (OH)

Cowgirl: Cimarron Sonia, SASS #108893 (CO)

Cowboy: Dead Eye Dillard, SASS #23582 (OK)

Lady Wrangler: Holy Terror, SASS #15362 (TX)

Wrangler: Fast Enuff, SASS #85412 (OR)

END of TRAIL 2024 Costume Contest Results

Wild Bunch Shooting Costume Contest Winners:

BEST MAN: Jedidiah Two Eagles, SASS #105786       

BEST WOMAN:  Penny Pepperbox, SASS #35309

Cowboy Action Shooting Costume Contest Winners:                                   

BEST MAN:  Justice Loving, SASS #22874                      

BEST WOMAN: Calamity Crow, SASS #109656                              

JUNIOR BOY: Jace the Ace, SASS #111226                                        

JUNIOR GIRL: Triple Trouble Tucker, SASS #113573

Best Dressed/Evening Costume Contest Winners:

GENTLEMAN: Rough Rider Rich, SASS #42846                              

LADY: Calamity Crow, SASS #109656                               

COUPLE: Minnesota Clay, SASS #45970 & Frontier Faith, SASS #94293                                                    

SILVER SCREEN GENTLEMAN: Montie Montana, SASS #110581                             

SILVER SCREEN LADY: High Dollar, SASS #105250                                         

JUNIOR BOY: Bush Ax Jack, SASS #110539                                      

JUNIOR GIRL: Triple Trouble Tucker, SASS #113573