In the heat of August, there is not better escape than up to the mountains. And that is just what Anthony did - heading up to Big Bear, CA to compete in the Caliornia Desperados' Grizzly Summer Shootout. The event gave Anthony the chance to compete on Sundance (owned by Desperados' President Joe Whiteley) and spend some time working with Cinnabar (right), a horse still acclimating to the noise of the sport.

After missing last year's End of Trail due to work on Queen of Swords, Anthony was pleased to be able to participate in the Wild West Show and compete in the mounted shoot. A record 96 competitors took part this year, and the organizers did a fantastic job getting all of them through 6 stages over 3 days. Anthony competed on Andy, who had progressed greatly in performance from Bitterend the previous weekend.

After finishing shooting on MythQuest in Calgary, Anthony flew home to participate in Bitterend, the prelude to the week-long End of Trail. He competed on Andy, a quarter horse owned by Victor Penner. This was Andy's first experience with cowboy mounted shooting, encouraging everyone to nickname him "Bad Andy," but Anthony guided him safely through the stages.

Travel in October, November and December made Anthony unable to attend the last mounted shooting competitions in 2000, but Anthony was determined to help the California Desperados at the Battle at the Border at the start of 2001. Anthony rode Hollywood, since Monty had been in training for 3-day eventing and was not prepared for mounted shooting. Anthony and Hollywood made a great team (when he wasn't busy helping to set balloons), and the Desperados won the Border Cup for the 2nd consecutive year.

Having just returned home from 4 months in Spain and 2 weeks in Vancouver, Anthony was definitely ready to get back into the saddle with his gun leathers, and the mounted shoot held in conjunction with Simi Valley Days was just the ticket. After riding in the morning's parade with Monty, Anthony competed on Dolly, a lovely gray mare owned by California Desperado "Retlaw's Dulcie Pie." She proved quite capable, and some of the club members remarked that they had never seen Dolly move that fast before. :-)

January, 2000: the new year brought with it a new mounted shoot - The Battle at the Border. Held in Blythe, CA, just near the California-Arizona border, this match, sponsored by both the California Desperados and the Arizona Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association, pitched not only rider against rider, but also club against club. The weather was perfect, and the spectators thrilled by the sport (and the chance to pet some horses). Anthony and Monty turned in some great runs, and helped the Desperados take home the Border cup.

The weather for Cowboy Christmas was milder in 1999, and the competition was keener, but Anthony and his thoroughbred Monty were ready for the challenge. Anthony had worked with the former racehorse to make him take turns easier, control his rate on the speed run, and not spook over shots fired on his offside. Anthony's work paid off - he took 3rd place in his division at the competion. Partner Mary did the same, making the event a winning family affair.

The Grizzly Summer Shoot, held in conjunction with Simi Valley Days, was the first time for Anthony to compete with Monty. Although his thoroughbred instincts were trying to take over, Anthony worked him around each of 6 stages. He generated a few thrills with his speed, but Monty took the sport and improved greatly over the course of the weekend.

In March 1999, Anthony and Libra competed at the SASS National Mounted Shooting Championship in Norco, California. The competition was held at the same venue as SASS' End of Trail, held in late April. Photos courtesy of B.J. Neale and Gabi Kiertzner.

Anthony rode Hollywood, a small but hearty Quarter Horse, for the Cowboy Christmas Mounted Shoot in Victorville (aka Victorchille), California. Despite the brutally chilling weather, the participants gave there best to the competition and the brave spectators. At right, Whipsnake (Anthony) and James Butler (Jerry Tarantino) play for the attendees' cameras. Photos courtesy of B.J. Neale.

Anthony climbed aboard Cola at the California Desperados Demonstration held in Simi Valley, California. Anthony alias "Whipsnake" and compadre Jerry Tarantino alias "James Butler" show how to greet the crowd. Photos courtesy of Maureen Russell.