They gathered in the barn dressed in attire reminiscent of the Old West. The men wore button-up shirts and chaps and many of the women wore full or split skirts. Nearly all had on cowboy and cowgirl hats.

They adjusted their hostlers and mounted their horses, ready to travel back to a time when a quick draw and a good steed were essentials.

Once all of the nearly 40 competitors were present, Charles Otto, president of the 1st Virginia Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, welcomed them to the club’s first shootout.