We headed into the weekend watching a forecast calling for a 96°F Saturday going partly to mostly cloudy, and a 92°F Sunday with rain showers likely and a slight chance of evening thunderstorms. We briefed everyone to bring sun protection, water, and rain gear just in case. The forecast held true almost to the letter — except for the rain. In the end, only 7 or 8 raindrops actually fell the entire weekend. Shooters stayed dry, and the line never missed a beat.
Kelly ran the event as Primary Instructor, with me in support, and what came out of two days on the line was Arizona's first-ever Pistolseed — and a genuinely productive one.
Courtney has been putting up rifleman-level scores for years. This weekend, she finally pulled Kelly aside and asked whether Appleseed was still taking requests for rifle Orange Hats. She walked away a Pistoleer, and we expect to see her go for that Orange Hat soon.
Craig earned his Blue Hat and walked away a Pistoleer as well — a strong showing for a first-time event like this.
Joe, already a Blue Hat coming in, rounded out the trio of new Pistoleers produced that weekend.
And then there was Steve, who drove all the way from Nevada to shoot with us in Arizona. He heard the three strikes, earned his Blue Hat, and told us he wants to go for his Orange Hat in rifle next. Steve, you just became our first IIT candidate for Nevada — hint hint.
Each day started and ended with the hits-count target to track progress, and progress certainly showed. The drill rotation kept everyone engaged — the Whitlock Drill was a clear favorite, giving shooters hands-on time with different pistols and sighting systems they wouldn't normally touch. By the Numbers and Aim Small Miss Small rounded things out, and both were a hit.
By the way, to whoever said a pistol event can't produce a rifle Orange Hat — the Valley of the Sun just proved you wrong. Three Pistoleers, two new Blue Hats, and at least two shooters now setting sughts on rifle orange hats. Not a bad weekend's work.
Awesome!!!