Newnan Teen Baylor Mikell wins Mounted Shooting Competitions
By JOAN DOGGRELL, Special to The Paper
Sixteen-year-old Baylor Mikell just won her latest Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association tournament in Florida, her first win in 2024.
In 2023, her first year in competition, she finished with eight wins under her belt with its elegant winner’s buckle. She is the daughter of Adam Mikell and granddaughter of James Mikell, both residents of Newnan. Her mother Lindsey and stepfather Kevin Pogorzelski live in Turin.
“I appreciate my family,” said Baylor. “It’s because of them that I get to participate in this exciting sport.”
According to their website, the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (C.M.S.A.) supports “the Fastest Growing Equestrian Sport in the Nation. Mounted contestants compete in this fast-action, timed event using two .45-caliber single action revolvers.” The revolvers have shortened barrels and are loaded with a special powder that bursts a balloon when shot from about 12 feet.
The CMSA has a variety of levels of competition, ranging from novice levels to the seasoned professional. Children are welcome to participate in a division for 6-to-11-year-olds. The adult division includes everyone from age 12 to 55. Older adults compete in their own Senior Division. Riders start at Level 1 and move to higher levels by winning competitions. It takes four wins to move to the next level. Baylor is at Level 3. Level 6 is the top.
CMSA is serious about the “cowboy” in its title. Participants are required to wear traditional cowboy clothing and to only use guns like those from the late 1800s. “Single action revolvers must be cocked each time before firing by drawing the hammer back.” Since competition is based on speed, shooting accurately and quickly with such a weapon requires a high degree of skill.
Competition involves shooting balloons while riding at breakneck speed. The object is to shoot all balloons while riding in a fixed pattern. When riders miss a balloon, five seconds is added to their time. The rider who shoots the most balloons in the shortest amount of time is the winner.
Baylor practices riding and shooting at Hidden Treasure Farm near Hogansville. This establishment offers horse boarding and a variety of other services such as horse training and riding lessons. Owner Courtney Chapman taught Baylor to ride and shoot and allows her to ride one of her horses in competitions. Baylor no longer takes riding lessons, but Courtney is still helping her improve her shooting. Baylor “helps out around the barn,” as she puts it. This includes cleaning stalls, plus grooming, bathing, and feeding the horses.
Last December, Adam, James, and Baylor drove 1,100 miles in a motorhome to Amarillo, Texas, for a worldwide championship event. Though Baylor didn’t win prize money, her dad said she performed incredibly well against far more experienced riders.
As one might imagine, Adam Mikell is very proud of Baylor, as is her G-dad James. “Watching your daughter ride and shoot like she does definitely puts a smile on your face,” said Adam. “The Association is full of good people. Competition is based on skill, not age and experience, and it teaches responsibility.”
“Riding and shooting in the CMSA is more than a sport,” said Baylor. “It’s given me lots of friends from all over the country. We all hang out together and it’s kind of cool.”
Baylor has played softball since she was seven with her father Adam as her team coach until last year when she joined the East Coweta All Star Junior Varsity team. Her dad had high hopes for her future in softball. However, when she decided she wanted to devote her spare time to what she loved most, he supported her without hesitation.
Baylor wants a horse-related career someday, though she has no idea right now of what that might be. However, with her drive and talent and the support of her family, she is bound to be a huge success.
