Queensland to Ohio: SSAA International Success
By Sam Talbot
Susan Summer’s is the Queensland Target Pistol Discipline chairmen, but her shooting journey began about 30 years ago when she met her now-husband, Kendall. Growing up in a rural area, Kendall often went to the range with his father, shooting rifles. Before meeting him, she’d never even held a firearm. Eventually though, they both decided to obtain their pistol licences – and that’s where it all started.
“I still remember our first State Championship at Ripley, where Kendall and I proudly took home the male and female champion trophies,” says Susan.
“This was before Target Pistol (Bullseye) was adopted as SSAA’s National pistol match. The discipline was officially introduced around 19 years ago by then-National Discipline Chairman, Greg Riemer. SSAA needed a unique match not shot by any other organisation in Australia to allow for international competition,” she says.
This of course set the stage for her most recent triumph in Ohio, but not before many years of State and National Championships.
“Kendall and I regularly travelled, enjoying not only the competition but also the camaraderie that makes this sport so special. As our children grew, they too joined the shooting community, competing at local, state and national levels.”
In 2023, Susan was elected as the State Chairman at the Target Pistol State Sub-Committee meeting held at their local branch, and it’s been a role she’s taken great pride in, as well one she’s taken seriously and achieved a lot through.
“My journey with the SSAA Australian Target Pistol Team began in 2010. I’ve had the privilege of representing Australia in the USA several times, with my last team appearance being in 2016,” she says.
Selection for the National Team occurs every two years at the National Championships. The top four shooters from the 1800 match (any Rimfire and any Centrefire) are selected, with up to 10 names submitted to the National Board in case any of the top four are unable to accept their spot.
But this year’s journey was a little different for Susan.
“I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped at Nationals, finishing sixth overall. When one of the top four couldn’t accept their team place, the fifth-placed shooter stepped in – so in the end I only missed out by one spot but still missed out. However, since Kendall had been selected, I made the decision to travel to the USA anyway and compete as an individual in the Ohio Triple Crown.”
The Ohio Trio Triple Crown is made up of three competitions. First was the NRA National Pistol Matches, held at the Cardinal Shooting Centre in Marengo, Ohio. The second was the Frank Bickar Memorial at Canton, Ohio and the final event was the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) National Trophy Matches. All held back-to-back-to-back.
Competitors are graded based on past performance. Ungraded competitors are placed into the highest populated grade, often Master. The scores from the 2700 matches (Any .22, Any CF, and Any .45) are combined for a Grand Aggregate result, with medals awarded to the highest scorer in each grade.
“Having competed alongside most of the team at various levels over the years, we’ve become like extended family. It made it easy for me to slip into the role of pseudo team manager – or ‘mum’, as they often call me.
“Not having the pressure of being on the official team allowed me to focus purely on competing for myself. When you hold leadership roles at the State or National level, your mind is often preoccupied with logistics, leaving little headspace for personal performance. This time, I could simply shoot.”
And shoot she did. Susan was awarded first place in the Marksman grade at the NRA National Pistol Matches.
“Seeing my name on the results board at Red Feather Outfitters was surreal. I never imagined I’d take out my grade at an NRA National Championship. Walking on stage at the Cardinal Centre to receive my medal was one of the proudest moments of my shooting career,” she said.
“Hearing cheers and applause from fellow competitors, many of whom I’d only just met was incredibly moving. The medal was presented by Brigadier General Jack Hagan, dressed in full military uniform. He took his role seriously and warmly welcomed the Australians, even sharing stories from his time in the US Marines, docked in Western Australia,” she said.
The level of competition in the USA really can’t be understated. The facilities and number of competitors is really on another level compared to Australia, plus each of the three venues presented unique challenges.
“At Camp Perry our detail had to evacuate the range mid-match due to a severe weather alert, while another group was completely rained out just after starting,” she said.
“One of the things I love about competing in the USA is the diversity. You shoot alongside military personnel, civilians, and service members like police and firefighters. The US Army Marksmanship Unit was incredibly generous with advice and support.”
“This was my first time competing at the Cardinal Shooting Centre, and it didn’t disappoint. The facility caters to all shooting disciplines, with a campground offering over 400 sites, cabins, and a stocked lake for catch-and-release fishing. It has its own gun shop, Red Feather Outfitters. The team at Red Feather Outfitters and the Cardinal Centre worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly, from registration to the final awards ceremony. Their attention to detail and commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants were key factors in the event’s success,” she said.
A major challenge for Susan this year was adapting to unfamiliar pistols. She wasn’t able to bring her own firearms, so she relied on the kindness of friends at the Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club to source firearms. Competing at a national level with unfamiliar equipment is no small feat.
Despite that, Susan achieved a personal best at the CMP National Trophy Matches in the Any .22 event at Camp Perry – the third leg of the triple crown.
“I also took part in the CMP Small Arms Firing School, run by the US Army Marksmanship Unit. This course revisited the foundational techniques of pistol shooting, skills that even seasoned shooters can benefit from revisiting. Applying those principles led directly to my personal best. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with other shooters back home.”
Susan says the 2025 Ohio Triple Crown was incredibly rewarding. She reconnected with old friends from previous trips, made new ones, and strengthened ties with a truly special community.
“Bullseye shooters are a rare breed. They’re always willing to lend a hand or share gear. Throughout the trip, we were offered spare pistols and ammo to compete in additional matches.”
“Even though it had been nine years since my last trip to the USA, I was welcomed back like no time had passed. That’s the beauty of this sport. It’s more than competition; it’s community,” she said.
As the Australian team’s pseudo-manager and unofficial “mum”, Susan can take some credit for the official Australian teams’ very successful run. This of course included Michael Angels placement in the President’s Hundred, as well as a runner-up finish in the Small Arms Firing School competition. Not to mention of course her own grade win at the NRA Nationals.
Shortly after returning from the US, Susan competed in the Precision Target Pistol State Championships at SSAA Bundaberg. Her next event is the National Championships in Canberra this September, where she aims to put into practice everything she learned from the trip and continue to improve her personal bests.
“I’m proud to be part of a sport that welcomes shooters of all ages, and one that can be enjoyed by all.”
