Comin at Cha. Why it was always so good.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

This year's Comin at Cha was the final one. I don't know who is going to write the official article for the Chronicle, but I thought I would do a short pictorial on the match and why it was so popular. It's in the middle of nowhere in the extreme northeast corner of Texas where Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana come together. Yet people flocked there from all over the country. Driving down a remote farm road with a house every five or six miles you finally come upon Casa de TBone.

 

 

Unimposing from the road behind it, literally TBone's backyard, is a shooter's paradise. There is a pond with a tree lined path hiding a half dozen shooting bays with permanent props. Further down the tree lined path is a five stage western town.

 

 

There is a mounted arena and after a hard day of cowboy shooting they had motorized mounted shooting.

 

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The site would only allow me to post a few pictures, so here is some more.

 

The headquarters for all social gatherings is the big barn. Inside is a stage and room for the 400 shooters to eat and relax. The barn would soon be full for two nights of feasting. (The tables and chairs are for sale if anyone needs them.)

 

 

Even subtle touches like the spotting sticks and the clean match awards added to the fun factor of the match.

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Looks really good.

Sorry I never made it--

OLG

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Friday night was the "Kings Feast" where kings and queens, (and the actual KING appeared) damsels and knights and serving wenches wined and dined throughout the night. There was no silverware and no napkins. Serving wenches and knights plopped the food down on your plate and kept it coming until you were full. As a slight concession to modern times there was a handy wipe underneath each plate.

 

 

Finally Saturday night arrived for the awards and awards banquet. The chaps hanging off the stage were the first place awards.

 

 

Finally, after the awards dinner everyone moved toward the lake and the evening ended with a big bang. Actually several hundred big bangs as a full scale fireworks display filled the night sky.

 

 

So why was Comin at Cha so popular? Because TBone, Nuttin, Ringo, Honey, Ellie and ALL of the rest of the people that worked so hard on each and every Comin at Cha made you feel like you were one of the family.

[Korupt Karl]

I've been in the sport a short time, but this was an experience I will always remember. A complete overall match with detail to everything. Good goin Dooley gang.

 

You went out on top.

 

KK

[Jackaroo, # 29989]

Yes certainly a great event. I at least managed to get this one and one other. Both excellelant. I'm sure after a long earned rest that Dooley Gang will come up with another match ,....maybe Comin Back at Cha!

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

CAC , was the only big match , that I went to , more than once

 

T-Bone and the rest of the gang , worked very hard to have the best match in SASS , and DID that

 

gonna miss it , always had a GREAT time

 

Chickasaw Bill

[Noz]

Me too. Bill.

 

Really feel sad I had to miss the last one.

 

CAC was truly something special.

[Grizzly Dave]

Larsen, all great pics and great attributes...

 

BUT

 

the thing that made the match so great was the PEOPLE.

 

T-Bone at the front and center with a heart as big as all outdoors. My first time there he was running around tending to a thousand details yet stopped to take time to answer my questions and induct me into the Dooley gang as if I was the most important person there. In recent years Ellie was right there too making everyone feel welcome and special.

 

Honey B Graceful took care of I don't know what, just that she was always there and always busy with a smile on her face. I reckon Nuttin had something to do with it too, but he ain't near as good lookin as Honey.

 

All the way down to the cast of many who helped put on the matches.

 

You can set the stage as pretty as you please, but it's the PEOPLE who make it all special.

 

That's the view from my saddle, I went to two of them, wish I'd been able to make the last one.

 

Grizz

[Pit Bull Tex]

I only got to make one C A C but is was a great shoot.It was my pleasure to be able to have the DOOLEY GANG BADGES made and send them to Dooley Gang member all over the world and send $1200.00+ to the Chapel fund.T-Bone is a great person and has always helped with anything you wanted him to do.He is always fun to shoot with or watch shoot.Thanks T-Bone and all the Dooley Gang for a great shoot for a lot of years of fun and class for SASS members.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

Seven straight years going...and the matches, not just the shooting, were very consistent.

 

All the "I's" dotted and "T's" crossed. Never a moment where you were bored cuz there wasn't something to do.

 

All this lead to a very fun vacation.

 

Phantom

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Griz, read the last paragraph.

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

Many thanks to all those folks that put this Match on and it was a fantastic shoot to be part of. We certainly enjoyed being there in 2012.

 

To T-Bone and the rest of the folks again thanks for a great and fun match.

 

Jackrabbit & Sly Puppy

[Dirt Merchant # 61422]

I have been fortunate enough to attend several CaC, ain't no show like it. PT Barnum would be proud

[Grizzly Dave]

Griz, read the last paragraph.

 

Sorry, I was skimming again...

[Mudflat Mike, SASS #20904]

Our 3rd trip to this match.
Each one better than the one before, I didn't think that was possible

A match takes on the personality of the folks running it and this one was the best! Match directors everywhere should use this shoot as their ideal, it just

doesn't get any better, and I've been to a bunch of shoots. I suspect this one is too tough to die, time will tell.

Thank you all for this memory, until we do it again!

[twelve mile REB]

Well said Mike

12

[Blackey Cole]

I made it to one. I think it was the first regional there iirc. Myself and Ten High drove down or over to it. I slept in the back of my truck ten High i a tent. Great stages a few vendors that year more than most matches now days. The scoot and shoot was a hoot. Watching guys grab a gun a wonder what it was loaded with. I think I donated my 87 that year. The meal in the barn was great but the one the next night put on by Outback Steakhouse and the fireworks show was better than several forth of July events I attended put on by cities and military installations. He made room for as many hookups as possible then some.

 

Imo sass learned a lot from T-Bone and the Dolley Gang. They held many a closing ceremonies for sass at other matches. Then when sass u was going on they all jump in and taught their best methods of shooting that had won more than several world championships each year. They were the party were ever they were. They always were polite and handled themselves as examples of how to behave as a cowboy.

 

I was hoping it wasn't the last cac but that the regional was moving but it appears otherwise. In a best case world I would like to be able to shoot cac and then drive to sc for the given ferry match then send my daughter and grandbabies before moving on to ga for the holidays with my dad shoot a little there then head back to nm in time for the annual match in Las Cruces then on to tombstone and Phoenix until the spring hits nm then back home for the va and shooting in nm until it's fall and time to head east for the holidays but it has worked out once yet. Maybe by the time they hold another match I'll be able to make it.

[Lone Dog, SASS #20401]

Just because it is the last SW Regional at least for a year does NOT mean it is the last Comin' Atcha annual event does it?

 

Or does it....????....

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

Just because it is the last SW Regional at least for a year does NOT mean it is the last Comin' Atcha annual event does it?

 

Or does it....????....

I think "Big" matches are out for a while.

[Anvil Al #59168]

Just because it is the last SW Regional at least for a year does NOT mean it is the last Comin' Atcha annual event does it?

 

Or does it....????....

 

 

Bone said it was the last CAC.

 

Only monthly's from now on.

[Oklahoma Dee]

Unless...............He changes his mind.....

[diablo slim]

T-Bone and the Dooleys have always been a class act.

They can really put on a great match...been to many of them.

I'm a little sad about this being the last CAC ...but I Know

they will still have great monthly matches. Thanks to all

the gang in English Texas and Diablo will see ya'll down the trail....

[Lone Dog, SASS #20401]

I think "Big" matches are out for a while.

 

 

 

 

Bone said it was the last CAC.

 

Only monthly's from now on.

 

 

Well shoot. Ok. Guess that is why the tables and chairs are for sale.

[Anvil Al #59168]

 

 

 

 

Well shoot. Ok. Guess that is why the tables and chairs are for sale.

 

 

Yep.

 

Be a good buy for someone.

[T-Bone SASS #36388]

I can only say with a humble grin on my face "Thank You for letting us be a part of your Cowboy Action Shooting" T-Bone

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

I can only say with a humble grin on my face "Thank You for letting us be a part of your Cowboy Action Shooting" T-Bone

[Dingo and Sixgun]

At the Bar-3, everyone always made you feel very welcome. People saying so glad you could make our shoot.

Great friends, great food, great entertainment and great shooting.

Thank you T-Bone and all your gang at the Bar-3. Coming at Cha was a very special shoot.

Dingo and Sixgun

[T-Bone SASS #36388]

I would not change a thing If I could. Thanks T-Bone and Ellie

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Dear T-Bone, Ellie, Nuttin', Honey, Ringo, Buffy...

 

Although I knew this was the last CAC, I thought you would still have annuals. So I didn't make an effort to attend. My fault!

 

I certainly understand how much work this must have been for all of you and do not blame you for not doing another. I wouldn't be up to it.

 

I still hope to spend some time at couple of matches in Texas and yours. Also, I hope to see y'all at the Conventions. I enjoy being around y'all and the people who also enjoy your company.

 

Sincerely,

 

Allie Mo

[T-Bone SASS #36388]

I have thought about the topic question???? I have to answer in one word. """"Friends""""" the best in the world. Without your friends a person would be very lonely and helpless.... T-Bone

[Yusta B.]

I really think it's much closer to Family. At least I feel that way.