More Than a Shoot: Our Weekend at the Inaugural Annie Oakley Western Classic
When we first signed up for the inaugural Annie Oakley Western Classic at Gallatin Sporting Clays, we knew it would be a great excuse to spend a few days in Montana. We didn't realize we'd also get to be part of a little piece of sporting clays history.
The Annie Oakley Western Classic was hosted by the Annie Oakleys of Northern Illinois, an organization dedicated to encouraging more women to get involved in the shooting sports. One of the group's co-founders now lives in Montana and is an instructor at Gallatin Sporting Clays, making it the perfect place to bring this vision to life.
The purpose of the event was simple but impactful: grow the number of women participating in NSCA registered sporting clays in Montana. Before the event, there were only six registered female NSCA shooters in the entire state. Bringing 65 women together for the first women's registered NSCA shoot in Montana was a huge step toward changing that.
Of course, we couldn't make a trip to Montana without taking in everything else the area has to offer.
We stayed at the historic Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, which was the perfect home base for the weekend. Before the tournament, we spent an afternoon whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River, explored Big Sky, and soaked in the incredible scenery that makes Montana so special. Every direction seemed to offer another mountain view, another winding river, or another excuse to stop and take it all in.
Then it was time to shoot.
Gallatin Sporting Clays was an incredible venue for the event, with beautiful courses and plenty of challenging targets to keep everyone on their toes. More importantly, it brought together 65 women from across the country who share a love for sporting clays. Whether you were there to compete, improve your game, or simply enjoy a weekend with other women who love to shoot, everyone was welcomed.
One of the things we appreciate most about this sport is the people. Every shoot introduces you to someone new, and by the end of the weekend it feels less like a competition and more like a community. That's exactly what this event felt like.
The Annie Oakleys said it best:
"The legacy of this shoot won't be found on the scoreboard. It will be measured by the grit, fortitude, sportsmanship and courage of these 65 shooters who opened the door a bit wider for the women and girls who will follow them."
We couldn't agree more.
A huge thank you to the Annie Oakleys of Northern Illinois, Gallatin Sporting Clays, the volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who made this inaugural event possible. It takes a lot of work to launch something new, and we're grateful we had the opportunity to be there for the very first one.
If this year's event is any indication, we have a feeling the Annie Oakley Western Classic will become a Montana tradition and, more importantly, inspire even more women to step onto a sporting clays course.
We'll definitely be back.
