West Is Wild Once More

Gene and Karen Pearcey were hoping to spend a little quality time with granddaughter Randi when they started taking her to Cowboy Action Shooting competitions. Who knew that a little more than a year later, the petite 13-year-old would become the junior world champion?

About once a month, the Pearceys hit the trail from their Durango, Colo., home to shoot for prizes all over the West, culminating in the championship event Friday through Sunday in Norco.

Randi Rogers (no relation to the legendary cowboy) will defend her title at the 19th annual End of Trail World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting and Wild West Jubilee, an event dedicated to preserving the history of the Old West.

Just over 5 feet tall and weighing 90 pounds, the seventh-grader wields 1800s-era single-action pistols, lever-action rifles and shotguns in a way that would do Annie Oakley proud.

Among the youngest in the division of 12- to 17-year-olds, Randi has the concentration and technique of shooters twice her age, says her grandpa, known on the shooting circuit as “Evil Roy.” But then Randi, says Grandma Karen, alias Wicked Felina (all the competitors use such nicknames), “has a great teacher--her Grandpa Gene.”

Gene--er, Evil Roy--is quite the straight shooter himself, currently reigning as the national overall champion.

“We practice as much as we can. I’m pretty good about figuring things out,” Pearcey says, explaining his and Randi’s success. “There are a lot of little things you need to pay attention to, and I tell Randi to try to be real consistent. She’s real good about following instructions.”

Her Nickname Is Holy Terror

And he’s confident that Randi, alias Holy Terror, is well-versed in gun safety and has learned responsibility through her exposure to the competitions.

“Nobody puts up with dangerous activity,” Gene Pearcey says. “You load under supervision, shoot the stage, then the guns are checked before you leave. We’re very strict: If somebody’s not responsible, they’re kicked off the range.”

Part of the fun for contestants and spectators is that the scenarios resemble Old West fantasies brought to life. The shooters dress in period duds or as their favorite Western figure, and reenact scenes borrowed from actual historic events--such as the shootout at the OK Corral--or from Western films and TV series.

“You might be seated at a card table with the pistol on the table,” Pearcey explains. “When the buzzer sounds, you pick up the pistol and shoot steel targets, then you might run to the window and shoot a rifle out at a steel target, or pick up the shotgun--it’s a timed event.”

The championship draws about 600 competitors from all over the world--especially Germany, Austria, England and Australia.

But the shooting competitions are just one of the attractions at the three-day End of Trail extravaganza. The theme for this weekend’s event is a tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody, with memorabilia and exhibits depicting the life of the frontiersman and his Wild West shows, along with performances by Western-themed entertainers, including Sourdough Slim, the musical duo Prickly Pair and cowboy poet Larry Maurice.

Wild West Encampment Spread Over 30 Acres

Raahauge’s Ranch in Norco will resemble a Western town, with a Wild West encampment spread over 30 acres, pony rides and a petting zoo. Ongoing entertainment includes trick roping and gun twirling exhibitions, stunt shows, cowboy poetry and a chuck wagon cooking contest.

Western wear and other cowboy gear will be on sale for those who need to dress up their git-along.

“We get everybody from World War II fighter pilots to heads of corporations to a lot of peace officers,” says Evil Roy. “And there’s an awful lot of women and kids. It’s great for anybody who really likes that time period. Most people come out here to have a good time, shoot old guns and be a part of the Old West.”

BE THERE

End of Trail, Raahauge’s Ranch, Prado Dam Recreation Area, River Road, Norco. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. $10; 12 and younger, free; parking, $2. Western wear encouraged; no firearms permitted. (714) 998-0209. https://www.sassnet.com.