Well! Where do I begin??
Addieville East has long had the reputation of running the most professional, challenging and interesting Sporting and Fitasc Shoots in the northeast, and they did it again this past May 2nd through 4th.
The weather was a challenge "in and of itself." It was cold, windy and raining Friday and Saturday. Sunday started out drizzly, but much milder temperature-wise. The Clubhouse had a fire in the fireplace all 3 days and shooters took advantage of it by warming their hands.
The Fitasc Competition was held Friday (100 birds), Saturday and Sunday (50 birds each). What made these targets so thought-provoking was: depending upon your technique and "hold point" you could take these targets in two different "kill points." There was no "second guessing." If you did not have a "plan" you were "done" before you began.
The Fitasc Judges were excellent: Phil Turnor, Doug Robare, Mary Rabauno, Ed Fallon, Ron Adams and son were courteous and proficient in their knowledge of fitasc rules.
Saturday began the first day of the Ruger "All Around Championship" with a 100 bird Prelim Event. You could also shoot Small Gauge events of 410, 28 and 20 with Side Events using a Side by Side and Pump. Five-Stand was available as well.
Sunday was the Sporting Clays Main Event with 100 targets. Also, for your shooting pleasure was a "Make-A-Break," Five-Stand and Games. Lunch was "available" on Saturday and Sunday.
I have been shooting in the neighborhood of 19 years. I started out Shooting as something to do to wick off my 'angst' of working two full time jobs during the week and only having Saturday and Sunday to "relax" before getting back to the old grind. During this Shoot I learned I need to know "when to hold them, and when to fold them." Let me elaborate....
The Prelim Event was held Saturday in a cold, breezy, steady misty rain. The targets were pretty straight forward and gave you a feeling of comfort as you progressed through the Course. At first you felt these were targets that had been "seen before;" and though very challenging, they were NOTHING in comparison to the presentations during the Main Event.
Being a "perennial" E-Class shooter, I am always trying to find the "sweet spot" on targets. Jack O'Brien is a wonderful guy, but he is one of the meanest (and I say this in a good way), most skilled Target Presenters in the Sport. He creates angles and speed variations up the "ying-yang." He takes you out of your comfort zone. He has the skill to take away the aquisition of your "sweet spot" and does so quite often unless you are at the top of your game. During the Main Event I was able to take the first pair of many Stations with a level of comfort, but could not duplicate anything after the first presentation. Every target thereafter found me guessing and floundering right to the end of this well-set course.
Approximately 309 Shooters registered to shoot the Ruger. I had the pleasure of shooting with Mark Brannon, Jerald Copp, and Troy Pellitier who gave me much needed "moral support." I shot like hell .... the worst score of my shooting history, but in a strange way, I enjoyed myself! It's humbling to know you can be challenged!
I would really like to thank all of the wonderful folks who made this tournament such a challenging good experience. Another special thanks to the Judges who greeted you with a smile while freezing their Butts off (yes, it was that cold)! Without them, there would not have been a Shoot!
As usual Addieville had amenities such as places to sit near each station, Del's cold frosty Lemonade at various locations (but during this Shoot, nice hot coffee would have been greatly appreciated), and portable toilets available throughout the Course. It makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
Here is a slide show. Hope you enjoy!
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