(pic from Johnny Casteel)
This past weekend, September 4-7, was the 11th Annual Showdown in the Bluegrass, which is the Kentucky state championship for cowboy fast draw competition. It was hosted at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater by Ohio County’s Bluegrass Fast Draw Club, a local affiliate of the national Cowboy Fast Draw Association(CFDA).
This year 20 states were represented by 77 competitors, 22 women and 55 men.
(Top Ten Women’s Division)
Taking home 1st Place in the Women’s Division for the second year in a row was my young cousin Gabby Casteel. That’s the same Ms. Casteel the artist who will be creating the front cover for my new novel.
(Cousin Gabby being presented awards by her grandfather James Casteel)
Taking home 1st Place in the Men’s Division was Tin Binder from Alabama.
My cousin Johnny Casteel, James’ son, Gabby’s uncle, placed 14th in the Men’s Division.
You can watch some of the action on YouTube on The Smoke Wagon Kid’s channel…
My 85-year-old uncle James Casteel, who came in 4th place this year, started the club here in Ohio County back in 2010, and serves as club president. The club is governed by a board with a president, vice-president and secretary.
They have monthly competitions at a location in Beaver Dam. Each member/competitor chooses a cowboy/cowgirl name, like Shane, Johnny James, Lady Bug, Moonshine Jack, Tin Binder, etc.
In addition to the state championship, the Ohio County club also hosts the annual Virgil Earp shoot, this year October 25 & 26. Earp, most famous for his role in the Gunfight at the OK Corral, was born in Ohio County. An historical marker for him now stands in Rosine, Ky.
(Uncle James Casteel at the Virgil Earp historical marker in Rosine)
Anyone interested in joining the club can contact James Casteel at 270-256-1215.
Membership dues are $80/year and club dues are $25/year.
The necessary equipment mainly includes the correct pistol, a .45 single action pistol, and ammo, which includes wax bullets, .45 cases, and 209 shotgun primers.
You will also need a holster for your pistol and a belt for your holster. And lastly, you’ll need western clothing. The gunfighter time period represented by the club is 1873-1899.
According to the CFDA website, they emphasize “safety first, fun second, and competition third.”
So, interested Kentuckians should just SHOOT Uncle James a text😊🤠 Those from other states can visit CFDA at cowboyfastdraw.com, where each state’s affiliated clubs can be found.
Happy trails to you!!!
