LAND RUN 2026 SASS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

[Flat Top Okie]

Hello All,

The 2026 dates for Land Run, The SASS National Championships of Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch Shooting are October 6-12. You can find the schedule of events and more information on our website. In 2025 we had 702 Cowboy and 108 Wild Bunch Shooters. All but two of the Wild Bunch Shooters shot the Cowboy Match also. One of our goals is to get more of the Cowboy Shooters to also shoot the Wild Bunch Match. I talked to a lot of the Cowboy Shooters to find out why more of them did not shoot the Wild Bunch Match. Several shooters told me that they sometimes shoot Wild Bunch, but they didn't want to shoot 10 stages at The National Championship before they shot the Cowboy Match. After thinking about what I was told, I understood their reluctance. Wild Bunch, with the higher round count and more challenging scenarios is more physically and mentally taxing. So, we are trying something different this year. Hopefully, this change will motivate more people to shoot Wild Bunch. To that end, in 2026, we will be shooting the Cowboy Match first (October 6th-10th) and Wild Bunch second (October 11th-12th). The Wild Bunch Awards Dinner will be at the range Monday evening as many of The Wild Bunch Shooters requested. Hopefully, this change will make shooting the Wild Bunch Match more attractive to many of our Cowboy Shooters and we can create more growth in Wild Bunch. As with any change, there is always risk. Sometimes we must try something different or we never improve. We understand the sacrifice you all make in time and money and family obligations. We appreciate that and respect it and we will never stop trying to improve our match.

Flat Top Okie

PS: Registration opens at noon on February 1, 2026.

[Totes Magoats]

It's going to have the opposite effect on me.  It will keep me from shooting WB as I would need to take 2 additional days off work.  Monday for 2nd day of WB and Tuesday for a travel day.  

 

I can't help but think others will be in the same boat.  It was easier to fit everything in with only take 5 days off work including travel days.

 

 

Totes

[Chicken George*]

Just so you know, the current overall men's Wild Bunch world champion from EOT has never been able to shoot your match because he doesn't compete on Sundays. 

[Flying W Ramrod]

So, instead of taking off 2 days, Thursday and Friday, I now have to take off 5 to shoot that match?
Tuesday to get there. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to Shoot then Monday to stay for WB awards? Because 1/7th of the shooters.
Don't think so.

[Show Me]

I like eot schedule, Monday  and Tuesday,,,,,they had 141..

Show Me  😃😃

[Brushy Creek Bill, SASS # 49466]

Mar-Lynn and I are going to have to think long and hard about shooting Wild Bunch next year with the date changes.  You say that some shooters don't want to shoot Wild Bunch first with having to shoot a National Cowboy Match after that.  Well, my friend, that is a two-way street.  One day of warm-ups, one day of side matches, three days of main match cowboy stages and top all that off with a late-night banquet, I would hate to think I would have to get up the next morning and shoot five intense stages of Wild Bunch to the best of my ability.  At least with the way it was there was a bit of a break between Wild Bunch and Cowboy, and it gives you a chance to get back into the cowboy swing of things before the main match starts.  Not to mention the extra days of travel and days off work most everyone will have to take.  I sure hope that the powers that be will consider changing it back before it's too late because I feel it will have a negative effect and that the attendance for the Wild Bunch match will suffer.

 

Brushy Creek Bill   

[Jim Brown]

I also am not in favor of this change. If  dates did not change and cowboy was first I would be ok with it- That would put the Cowboy awards during the week, which is ok by me. If  the new schedule stays the same I will have to think seriously whether or not I will stay for Wild Bunch, as I would have to deal with weekday traffic in both Dallas and Houston to get home.

I made AirBnB reservations as soon as I had the days published and now if this change stays in effect I will have to change it if I decide to stay.

 

Jim Brown

and Lovie

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

I will shoot the WB match as scheduled.  However, I would prefer a late start the morning after the banquet, so I am fully rested for the first day of the WB match.  Sounds like there will not be a WB warm-up so I'll practice with my 1911 on the fumble stage.   After returning from Land Run I will have three days to resupply before heading to Tombstone for Bordertown.  Fortunately, my home is between OKC and Tombstone.  Being retired I am not concerned about using up vacation days.  I like having the WB awards ceremony separate from the main match banquet.

 

Update: I decided to forgo the WB match in 2026.  Once the vendors pull out my wife would have little to do the days I shot WB.  Two more days preparing for Bordertown would be helpful too.

[Leroy Luck]

Here is the proposed schedule, for those that haven’t found it. 

 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

I note that a Plainsman side match is scheduled for 2026.  This is good news as there was none this year.

 

I doubt I'll shoot the 3-stage WB warm-up match Sunday morning.  By mid-afternoon I would be too fatigued to shoot all five WB stages.

[Old Man Graybeard]

I'm not so sure that changing things like this will lose more than it gains

[T-Square]

Well, I had such a good time this year, it was my first Land Run, that I'm going to sign-up twice for 2026 !!

Best Match EVER - including all the events on the range and the banquet at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum !!

[Boggus Deal #64218]

Kind of shows you what the organizers think of Wild Bunch, huh?

[Silver Creek Jack]

27 minutes ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

Kind of shows you what the organizers think of Wild Bunch, huh?

In what light? The “ organizers” are doing the best they can to satisfy as many people as they can and still put on an outstanding National Championship which they have been quite successful at for a number of years. It is an impossible feat to satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time, but believe me they do try. It’s good to see these comments and I can assure you you they are being read and considered. Have patience, putting on a match of this size is a time consuming, expensive project that takes a lot hard working people, it will work out. Silver Creek Jack

[Queen of Bling]

At first glance, the announcement of the switch appeared to be okay.  But seeing the actual schedule, and the more I think about it, I just can't see ANY positives for the shooters or for Land Run.  Not sure how to phrase my displeasure with the changes, but here goes...

 

It's inherently unfair to put Wild Bunch shooters on the "back burner", yet again.  The schedule change doesn't allow for ANY day of rest between the Cowboy match and Wild Bunch.  Many of us cannot physically shoot that many days in a row, and I'm one of them.  Do I skip shooting Cowboy at the National Championships so I can shoot Wild Bunch?  Do I shoot Cowboy and sit idly by while everyone else gets to shoot Wild Bunch?  And for everyone else who CAN shoot five days in a row, to expect Wild Bunch warmups to take place on the same day of main match shooting is ludicrous.  Eight Wild Bunch stages in ONE DAY?  I also know that many people who still work a regular job will have difficulty getting the extra time off.  And if we have the same kind of hot weather we did this year, I'm sure there will be a few DNFs due to fatigue.

 

This seems to be a rather drastic change to solve what problem exactly?  How is this helping to grow Wild Bunch?  I hope the powers that be will reconsider this decision, as I think it is going to have an undesired result.

[Possum Skinner, SASS#60697]

21 hours ago, Brushy Creek Bill, SASS # 49466 said:

Mar-Lynn and I are going to have to think long and hard about shooting Wild Bunch next year with the date changes.  You say that some shooters don't want to shoot Wild Bunch first with having to shoot a National Cowboy Match after that.  Well, my friend, that is a two-way street.  One day of warm-ups, one day of side matches, three days of main match cowboy stages and top all that off with a late-night banquet, I would hate to think I would have to get up the next morning and shoot five intense stages of Wild Bunch to the best of my ability.  At least with the way it was there was a bit of a break between Wild Bunch and Cowboy, and it gives you a chance to get back into the cowboy swing of things before the main match starts.  Not to mention the extra days of travel and days off work most everyone will have to take.  I sure hope that the powers that be will consider changing it back before it's too late because I feel it will have a negative effect and that the attendance for the Wild Bunch match will suffer.

 

Brushy Creek Bill   

Agree 100%

[Show Me]

Would a survey of 2025 wildbunch shooter's about this change be possible? 

[Dred Bob]

I am planning on shooting Land Run next year for the first time and always shoot Wild Bunch whenever offered at a big match.  I support the change to try flipping the order so that Cowboy shooters are fresh however I am not retired and planned on traveling the prior Saturday and returning home on Sunday.  This change requires several extra days off that I can't arrange so instead of taking advantage of the full shoot I'll have to miss Wild Bunch.   I would do both if you shot the original schedule just swapped days and have the practice/side matches between.   As a working shooter I just can't accommodate these dates and feel that having both matches shooting on subsequent days especially given the Banquet just seems like a step in the wrong direction to promote attendance. 

 

All that said I've heard from every shooter that I meet that has been to Land Run what a fantastic event it is to shoot and look forward to attending whatever parts of it that I can and appreciate the effort it takes to organize.  As a WB fan I'm also happy that you're looking for ways to expand attendance even though this particular solution will not work for me.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

9 hours ago, Silver Creek Jack said:

In what light? The “ organizers” are doing the best they can to satisfy as many people as they can and still put on an outstanding National Championship which they have been quite successful at for a number of years. It is an impossible feat to satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time, but believe me they do try. It’s good to see these comments and I can assure you you they are being read and considered. Have patience, putting on a match of this size is a time consuming, expensive project that takes a lot hard working people, it will work out. Silver Creek Jack

Land Run for years has treated Wild Bunch like redheaded step children. A couple years even requiring a completely separate sign up application. 
One of the reasons I don’t shoot it anymore. 

[Marshal Stone, SASS #53366]

I personally think this change is a mistake.

I believe it will lose more shooters than it gains.

I know I will be evaluating my position on weather to stay and shoot WB.

 

Marshal Stone

[T-Square]

Subject: Wire for a First-Timer Headin’ to the Land Run

Howdy @Dred Bob,

Figured I’d send this telegraph ahead of the great gathering they call the SASS National Championship — the Land Run. As a first-time attendee myself, I was told there’s a long-standing tradition: all greenhorns get a “welcome kiss” at the SASS booth.

Well, I rode over there more than once tryin’ to collect, but every time I arrived it was only C.C. Moonshine  holdin’ down the fort… and word around the campfire is he ain’t exactly known for his kissin’ abilities — or so I’ve been told! (That there’s a joke, in case the wire operator forgets to laugh.)

You’re gonna love Land Run. Folks hand out advice like hardtack and coffee, and I reckon you ought to take every bit of it — these cowboys and cowgirls know their business. By week’s end you’ll be plumb worn to a nub, ‘cause there’s more shootin’, seein’, jawin’, and doin’ than any one cowpoke can rightly prepare for.

I’m a workin’ shooter myself, and I took the whole blamed week off just to soak it all in. You won’t be disappointed — not by a long shot.

If you’ve got questions, sling a DM my way. I’m lookin’ forward to shakin’ your hand this October in OKC.

Until then, ride safe and shoot straight.

 

[Dred Bob]

19 minutes ago, T-Square said:

Subject: Wire for a First-Timer Headin’ to the Land Run

Howdy @Dred Bob,

Figured I’d send this telegraph ahead of the great gathering they call the SASS National Championship — the Land Run. As a first-time attendee myself, I was told there’s a long-standing tradition: all greenhorns get a “welcome kiss” at the SASS booth.

Well, I rode over there more than once tryin’ to collect, but every time I arrived it was only C.C. Moonshine  holdin’ down the fort… and word around the campfire is he ain’t exactly known for his kissin’ abilities — or so I’ve been told! (That there’s a joke, in case the wire operator forgets to laugh.)

You’re gonna love Land Run. Folks hand out advice like hardtack and coffee, and I reckon you ought to take every bit of it — these cowboys and cowgirls know their business. By week’s end you’ll be plumb worn to a nub, ‘cause there’s more shootin’, seein’, jawin’, and doin’ than any one cowpoke can rightly prepare for.

I’m a workin’ shooter myself, and I took the whole blamed week off just to soak it all in. You won’t be disappointed — not by a long shot.

If you’ve got questions, sling a DM my way. I’m lookin’ forward to shakin’ your hand this October in OKC.

Until then, ride safe and shoot straight.

 

 

HA!  I appreciate the warning! 

 

I am fortunate in that the 3rd SASS match I attended was a pilgrimage to EOT last year (2024) and was assigned to a posse with CC and Misty.  I didn't have a clue who they were but they were incredibly helpful and gracious to this brand new shooter in over his head but having a fantastic time.  During the match they invited me to visit their home club and State Match in Indiana.   I managed to make it out to the Indiana State Match this year and shot both WB and CAS and met the SASS team again.  CC, Misty, Ruby and the rest of the team put on a great match and I strongly recommend it if you get a chance.   I look forward to meeting you and experiencing Land Run first hand.   I'll be careful to see who's manning the SASS booth from afar before dropping in for ANY reason. 

[WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L]

A lot of us Shooters are getting a little long in the tooth.  The heat that time of year can be brutal, and after shooting the main match,  many will be close to heat exhaustion prior to the Wild Bunch match.  The previous schedule gave folks a couple of days of rest after Wild Bunch before shooting the main match.  Just my opinion...

[Medicine Creek Johnny]

My suggestion to make the WB match less stressful would be to keep it the first weekend and move to 3 4 stage days Sunday thru Tuesdayday.  That would still leave 1 day between the WB match and cowboy. Standing for 5-6 hours is what kills me. WB stages just take longer

[Texas Maverick]

@Flat Top Okie after reading all the comments maybe a toll of both WB and Cowboy shooters to see if this change would make a difference of them attending before making this change finalized and not reversable. I don't have any skin in this since I don't shoot WB but I would hate to see attendance go down for either match so just making a suggestion since I think this is the best match of the year and will be there for Cowboy again in 2026.

 

Texas Maverick

[Half-a-Hand Henri]

I respectfully think that this is a big mistake.  Instead of taking off one week of work, now folks will have to take off most of one work week and at least half of another.  On top of that, attending an awards banquet until 10pm, then driving back to the range, then trying to shoot 8 Wild Bunch stages the next day to the best of their abilities is an exercise in futility.  Makes it an easy decision for me to forgo in 2026 what I thought was an excellent match in 2025.  Please, please reconsider!

[El Chapo]

On 11/14/2025 at 7:28 PM, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

Kind of shows you what the organizers think of Wild Bunch, huh?

 

Yep, exactly.  All this talk of "equal treatment," but now the awards are separate and we're back to second class status.  This is a huge, huge mistake.  I was hoping to go to Land Run next year, but I don't think I'll be attending now.  I'll see you all at Bordertown.

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

On 11/15/2025 at 6:45 AM, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

Land Run for years has treated Wild Bunch like redheaded step children. A couple years even requiring a completely separate sign up application. 
One of the reasons I don’t shoot it anymore. 

As long as State, Regional, National, and World Wild Bunch Championships are held in conjuction with Cowboy Championships it won't change. 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

2 minutes ago, SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER said:

As long as State, Regional, National, and World Wild Bunch Championships are held in conjuction with Cowboy Championships it won't change. 

For years, I held the NM State Wild Bunch championship separate from the cowboy match. It grew 25% for five years straight, even during covid. 

[Flying W Ramrod]

And, here's the kicker.

We're being told " I talked to a lot of the Cowboy Shooters to find out why more of them did not shoot the Wild Bunch Match. Several shooters told me that they sometimes shoot Wild Bunch, but they didn't want to shoot 10 stages at The National Championship before they shot the Cowboy Match. "

 

But then the Shooter Questionnaire from WB Land Run says nothing about a problem.

2025 Land Run Wild Bunch Survey Results
Thanks to all of you who responded to our survey. The only way we can improve is through feedback from you.
1. Target Size and Distance. While the general consensus was positive, we did receive a significant number of comments that targets were too small and too far. We were attempting to guarantee that our match would not be considered as "cowboy with a 1911" we may have over compensated. While staying within the SASS guidelines, we will attempt to make the target size and distance more in line with what the majority want.
2. Stages-Clear and Concise. Most responses were favorable, but we received enough negative responses to make our stages a little less complicated.
3. Opening Ceremony. Only 33% of Wild Bunch shooters attended. Interestingly enough, we only had 2 shooters who shot only Wild Bunch.
4. Closing Ceremony. By the response we received, it is obvious that I was completely wrong in my belief that Wild Bunch shooters would like to receive their awards and the recognition at the Saturday Night Awards Banquet. Most expressed their desire to receive their awards at The Wild Bunch Awards Ceremony. So, we will make that change for next year.
5. Awards. The response in Wild Bunch was the same as Cowboy. Buckles were great but other awards were not. As I said in my cowboy survey response, we continue to look for reputable suppliers who can create something we can all be proud of.
The conclusion that I have come to after reading the responses is that most Wild Bunch shooters want to be part of SASS but they want to be seen as a separate and equal entity within SASS and not a branch of cowboy. To succeed we must all strive to get more shooters to try Wild Bunch.
Flat Top Okie
Match Director
SASS National Championships
Of Cowboy Action & Wild Bunch Shooting

 

How many of those "several" will actually stay to shoot WB once it's moved?

 

We all know some of the management for Land Run has never wanted the WB Nationals to be part of LR. Now it appears the same folks are trying to gin up a scenario where WB won't be well attended and place that as a reason to drop it.

 

 

 

[Sasparilla Groz]

Change is never easy or welcomed.  This will be a diq

[Sasparilla Groz]

ifficult change to adopt.   I had a great time at the match in 2025 and enjoyed all the targets and scenarios.   Well done Land Run team!    I do not agree with the proposed changes   I enjoyed having to take two weekends off and one full week for shooting.   The change will do away with that.   I respectfully request reconsideration.

[Captain Bill Burt]

I want to make sure I’m following the thread correctly.

 

The good folks at Land Run took a look at Wild Bunch participation and decided to try to tweak things to increase the number of shooters.

 

Some shooters like the tweak.

 

Some shooters don’t like the tweak. 
 

So far so good…..

 

But…some shooters decide this tweak reveals that the match officials don’t care about Wild Bunch, because…reasons…?

 

I suggest we start with the assumption that Land Run match officials make changes with the intent of increasing shooter enjoyment and thus increasing attendance and revenue.  That feels like a safer assumption than some I’ve heard on this thread.

[Tell Sackett SASS 18436]

19 minutes ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

I want to make sure I’m following the thread correctly.

 

The good folks at Land Run took a look at Wild Bunch participation and decided to try to tweak things to increase the number of shooters.

 

Some shooters like the tweak.

 

Some shooters don’t like the tweak. 
 

So far so good…..

 

But…some shooters decide this tweak reveals that the match officials don’t care about Wild Bunch, because…reasons…?

 

I suggest we start with the assumption that Land Run match officials make changes with the intent of increasing shooter enjoyment and thus increasing attendance and revenue.  That feels like a safer assumption than some I’ve heard on this thread.

Yes, but remember the saying about the road to hell being paved with “ good intentions”!

[Captain Bill Burt]

31 minutes ago, Tell Sackett SASS 18436 said:

Yes, but remember the saying about the road to hell being paved with “ good intentions”!

I seem to remember you offering primers with the best of intentions and getting flamed for it.