2026 SSAA Queensland Single Action State Titles
SSAAQ Gladstone, Cactus Canyon, Calliope
By Pearl Starr
In the silence of the early morning, as the first rays of warming sun spilled over the treetops to the circled wagons at Cactus Canyon, boots were being pulled on and hats dusted off. Only the sound of spurs jingling could be heard, with a rhythm that matched the steady draw of breath – measured, patient, ready.
The posses gathered early. Seventy-nine cowboys and cowgirls keen to make a name for themselves had rolled into town in the days previous, including Sister Sarah Carnegie and Doc Carnegie from as far away as Western Australia, Yowie from New South Wales, and Hoss Rustler from Cairns.
Breaker stood at the edge of the corral, his weathered face unreadable. “All right, folks,” he called, his voice carrying over the restless murmur of the cowboys. “Today ain’t about who’s the fastest draw in the territory. It’s about who can keep their head when the dust and smoke blinds ‘em and the clock’s against ‘em.”
Daphodil, one of the youngest of the bunch, felt her heart thump like a war drum. She’d been practicing for months, running drills in the canyon until her hands blistered. But now, standing shoulder to shoulder with legends like Goldilocks and Shining Star, she wondered if it would be enough.
Over the next two days the air cracked with gunshots and the ringing of steel targets. Cries of ‘Yeehaw’ and ‘Woohoo’ could be heard across the range. The competition was fierce. The Terror moved like lightning across the line. Hoss Rustler rode the stages like a wild stallion being chased down. Bat Masterson was hard on his tail, with every shot finding its mark. When Chuck’s turn came, he drove that ‘Wagon’ as if his life depended on it.
The cowgirls also showed what they were made of. With determination and grit, Lucky Strike Lass stepped up to the line. The world slowed to the targets and the ticking of the timer. She drew, fired, moved, fired again. Each shot a heartbeat. The timer stopped and the last target fell with a clang. Pearl Starr’s eyes narrowed as she focused on the gold front sights of her revolvers and fired. Lil’ Backfire’s action was smooth as silk as she fired her rifle from the window. Clancy stood strong against the recoil of her shotgun from the shadows of the doorway. It was all on the line: titles; bragging rights; team selection.
After a thrilling weekend of competition and old-fashioned cowboy spirit, the posses gathered round the CWA tent to feast on their fine vittles, congratulate and commiserate. There were the individual speed events and the 1911 match. The crowd clapped and stomped for Bat Masterson, Blue Belle, Rick O’Shea and Running Water, who all shot a clean match. That’s a total of 1,124 shots down range without a hiccup.
Top honours went to The Terror, finishing first in his category of Cowboy, and first overall for the match. For the cowgirls, top honours for the very first time went to Lucky Strike Lass, finishing first in her category of Lady Wrangler, first Overall Lady, and eighth overall. To all the other category winners and place-getters, we congratulate you.
The SSAA Queensland team selected to attend the 2027 World Championships of Single Action Shooting, End of Trail, in Phoenix, Arizona, was also announced. The team chosen to represent SSAA Queensland – being the top two men and top two ladies who can attend the world championships – has brought together some of the fastest and most accurate gunslingers from across the state. For the ladies: Lucky Strike Lass and Pearl Starr. For the men: Hoss and Bat Masterson. Those cowboys and cowgirls will dust off their cowboy hats, pull on their boots, and head on out to the 2027 World Championships in February 2027, where they’ll face the best in the sport from around the globe.
The dust hasn’t even settled from the state titles, and whispers are already circulating about the next big single action shootout. Cowboys and cowgirls from all over Australia will ride into town for Chisholm Trail, the Australasian International Invitational Championships, SSAA Queensland’s premier event, to be held from September 28 to October 4, 2026 at SSAA Millmerran, Captains Mountain. The flier and entry form are now available. More information and entry forms can be found here:
Until we meet again, folks, happy trails.
