END of TRAIL 2025 - The World Championships

END of TRAIL 2025

By Ruby Ruthless #105922

Whilst one drives through the desert of Arizona and surveys the vast landscape, it is hard not to wonder who once rode through those mesas and what trials took place along the wagon trains. Arizona is full of a rich and vibrant history, plenty of cactus, dust, and of course- Cowboys.

As the end of February approaches, more than 650 Cowboys begin to congregate at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona, for the SASS World Championship of Cowboy & Wild Bunch Action Shooting – END of TRAIL. This pilgrimage of SASS Cowboys is something that one must see in person to truly understand. The Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders and their countless volunteers, known as Rangers, transform Ben Avery into a Cowboy haven. Countless hours of hard work, planning and preparation all culminate for this one week of competition amongst our SASS Family. Thank you to the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders for putting on an event that Cowboys and Cowgirls alike can come to enjoy, compete and maybe even get a complementary dust spa treatment.

The cool desert air began to warm, and the sun rose across the range on February 24th, the Wild Bunch Action Shooting World Championship kicked off with 141 competitors, followed by two days filled with the Wild Bunch Opening Ceremonies, the WBAS Main Match and culminated with the Top Gun Shoot Off and Awards. A big congratulations to all the Wild Bunch Action Shooting World Champions and congratulations to our Ladies Overall Wild Bunch Champion, Holy Terror SASS#15362 and the Men’s Overall Wild Bunch World champion, Skrap P. SASS #105726. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

As the Wild Bunch match wound down, the work for the Arizona Territorial Company of Rough Riders was far from over.  Even as Wild Bunch awards were taking place, many of the volunteers were out on the range getting ready for what was to come next, the Cowboy Action Shooting World Championship. Wednesday morning came into view as a flurry of competitors began to arrive and ready for what fun the day was to bring. Some might say the range was even busier than the streets of an old west town coming to life as Cowboys and Cowgirls started their days, shops opening for business and the saloon occupants heading home after a ruckus of a night.

In this case, the shops that began to open were the Vendors throughout Sutler’s Row. This year 35 vendors attended End of Trail and gave us Cowboys and Cowgirls lots to see and even more to buy. The sunny Arizona Wednesday was filled with warmups for the Cowboy competitors, speed events, long range events, the plainsman event and the Opening Ceremonies. The day flew by as it does when one is having fun and before you could blink, Opening Ceremonies were about to begin. Rattlesnake Slim, SASS #91827 began the Cowboy Action Opening Ceremonies with a warm welcome to all the competitors, a big thank you to all match sponsors (23 to be exact!), volunteers, and the introduction of the Match Director, Red River Wrangler, SASS # 52503, and Co-Match Director Serenity, SASS # 64982, followed by a beautiful invocation given by Lash Toru, SASS #85004. Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118, was recognized for his many years of service as a Rough Rider and his retirement was announced.

This year 11 countries were represented at End of Trail from across the world– including Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States. Yes, you read the right, for the first time in End of Trail history, Mexico was represented by Adelita, SASS #113569, confirmed by Tex (SASS # 4) during the ceremony. As a collective, SASS members traveled over 732,000 miles and sent around 311,000 rounds down range. The presentation of Flags is a big part of the opening ceremonies and is truly moving to witness the pride that each competitor has in carrying their country’s flag. As the American flag was presented, Thin Mint, SASS # 112898, sang a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem, and a thunderous swell of clapping and yee-haws erupted as she sang the final notes.

The announcement of the 2025 class of Regulators was presented by SASS CEO Misty Moonshine, SASS #83232. This honor is one that is not taken lightly as it represents the true personification of the Cowboy Way and those awarded with this honor are shining examples of what is meant by the Spirit of the game. Congratulations to the 2025 class of Regulators, you have most certainly earned it, and we thank you for your dedication to SASS, your clubs and fellow cowboy family. The evening ended with a delicious BBQ dinner provided by Grill King BBQ and some Cowboy Karaoke hosted by Ranger, Worse Case Scenario, SASS #112070.  Let’s just say that no saloon singer held a candle to the cowboys and cowgirls that decided to serenade us during karaoke.

The dust would not stay settled for long on Thursday morning as the first day of the Cowboy Action Shooting World championship geared up and so did the wind! The highest clocked wind gust was 80 miles per hour, and it sunk the boat… in the middle of the desert. Only one passenger was aboard the boat when it sunk and luckily Mustang Dave, SASS #95854, had minimal injuries. Thanks to the wonderful Rangers who made sure Mustang Dave was okay and able to continue shooting the match.  While the wind continued and the term Cowboy Up was perpetuated, 3 waves of the main match were underway, and the day’s schedule concluded with the SASS Territorial Governor’s meeting and the swap meet filled with bargains as far as the eye could see in the main tent.

Friday morning brought a calm breeze and plenty of sunshine- a welcome change from the dust bath everyone had received the day before. Another day of throwing lead down range ended with a delicious Mexican dinner in the main tent provided by Don Jose’s, the presentation of Side Match Awards and the world-famous World Championship of Cowboy Bingo sponsored by Light Bender, SASS #103409 of Hunters HD Gold. The competition was steep, but CC Moonshine, SASS #62639 came out victorious as the World Champion of Cowboy Bingo and took home the coveted Cowboy Bingo Buckle.

Saturday signaled the last day of the competition, which for any competitor is both nerve-racking and bittersweet. The mix of emotions is one we all know too well, as you begin to review the match and wonder where you might end up and reminisce about the wonderful week you have had with friends new and old. With the sun starting to set and the day coming to an end, the shooting was complete, the range closed, and the evening festivities were about to begin. The saloon opened and folks dressed in their finest attire began to fill the main tent awaiting the Evening Costume Contest and fun to begin. The main tent was brimming with laughter and the sound of smiles floated across the air as tales were told of the past week of competition and comradery. Offerings of delicious food in a buffet style were provided by Chef John for all to enjoy.

The evening kicked off with the Costume promenade and the Evening Costume Contest awards. Applause filled the main tent as each name was called, and folks once again admired contestants’ costumes. The Ladies of Cowboy Action Shooting (LOCAS) group awarded this years End of Trail 2025 Cowgirl of Honor award and gave recognition to Sunshine Kay, SASS #17452. Another deserving cowgirl, Half-A-Hand Henri, SASS #9727, was recognized and awarded the honor of being the 2025 Legendary LOCAS. The long-awaited announcement of the Top 16 contenders was declared which gave way to the evening’s entertainment, The Pat James Band. Live music filled the tent as folks continued to linger around the saloon, and some took to the dance floor to cut a rug.

The cool desert sunrise of Sunday morning faded away as the desert sun intensified and the Top 16 contenders readied themselves for the Top Gun Shoot off to commence. Anticipation and excitement surged through the crowd that began to gather to watch the final standoff of competitors. With each round, the crowd grew louder in their cheers and in the end, Cimarron Sierra, SASS #110927- at only 17 years old and shooting Lady Gunfighter took the victory as Top Lady and REPHIL, SASS #5897 took Top Man, besting Cimarron Sierra in the head-to-head.

 With the final shot sent down range, it was time for the award ceremony to begin and End of Trail 2025 paid homage to the champions of 52 shooting categories. Among those competitors, Echo Sackett, SASS #113910, was the youngest competitor at 8 years of age and the matches oldest competitor at 89 years young was California Dutchman, SASS #27556. There were a total of 35 competitors who shot the match clean – approximately 6 percent of the total number of participants. With each category top ten lining up on stage, cheers, hugs and booming applause filled the tent in praise and congratulations on what each competitor had achieved. The Overall World Champions were all that was left to be crowned and with skill, speed and accuracy Holy Terror, SASS #15362 from Cleveland, TX came out triumphant as the 2025 Ladies Overall World Champion. Whistlin Will, SASS #88382 of Courtenay, Canada took home the title of 2025 Men’s Overall World Champion, making it his first Overall World Champion win- and the first Canadian to take the World title.

All good things dust come to an end (pun intended) and END of TRAIL 2025 was the master of dust; it sure knew how to shake things up and keep us cowboys and cowgirls on our toes. Until next year, see you down the trail!

End of Trail 2025 CAS World Champions

Overall Man – Whistlin Will, SASS #88382 (Canada)

Overall Lady – Holy Terror, SASS #15362 (TX)

CAS Category 2025 World Champions

Lady Frontier Cartridge – Polly Wanda Krakker, SASS #108266 (OR)

Frontier Cartridge- Damascus Jon, SASS #87751 (ID)

Senior Frontier Cartridge – Johnny Angel, SASS #91812 (GA)

Lady Silver Senior Frontier Cartridge- Brazos Belle, SASS #82399 (TX)

Elder Statesman Frontier Cartridge- Silver City Rebel, SASS #38607 (GA)

Lady Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter – Scarlett Darlin’, SASS #96680 (SC)

Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter – Avery Wade, SASS #97444 (CO)

Senior Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter – Texas Jack Daniels, SASS #8587 (TX)

Lady Frontier Cartridge Duelist – Connivin’ Katie Jones, SASS #58535 (OR)

Frontier Cartridge Duelist – Lefty Too Slim, SASS #44564 (NM)

Silver Senior Frontier Cartridge Duelist – Four Bucks, SASS #36386 (ID)

Frontiersman – Joe McGlue, SASS #37429 (AZ)

Lady B-Western – Panhandle Cowgirl, SASS #77924 (TX)

B-Western – Rusty Razor, SASS #90266 (UT)

Lady Senior B-Western – Cooncan, SASS #101282 (KS)

Silver Senior B-Western – Ben Fishin, SASS #106674 (OK)

Classic Cowgirl – Half-A-Hand Henri, SASS #9727 (NM)

Classic Cowboy – Slick McClade, SASS #69490 (LA)

Silver Senior Classic Cowboy – Short Fingered Bill, SASS #82161 (Canada)

Lady Duelist – Quick Chick, SASS #106974 (NM)

Duelist – Ethan Callahan, SASS #41005 (MI)

Lady Senior Duelist – Barbwire, SASS #10179 (AZ)

Silver Senior Duelist – Hawkeye Kid, SASS #24196 (CT)

Elder Statesman Duelist – Shiloh Red, SASS #95350 (FL)

Cattle Baron Duelist – J.M. Brown, SASS #27309 (NC)

Lady Gunfighter – Cimarron Sierra, SASS #110927 (CO)

Gunfighter – Molasass Moose, SASS #111430 (CA)

Lady Senior Gunfighter – Lady Bulldog, SASS #67897 (CO)

Senior Gunfighter – Whisperin’ Wade, SASS #36209 (OR)

Elder Statesman Gunfighter – Cheyenne Culpepper, SASS #32827 (OH)

Buckarette – Sweet K. Oss, SASS #106975 (NM)

Buckaroo – Jace the Ace, SASS #111226 (FL)

Junior Girl – Quinn Chester, SASS #113434 (CO)

Junior Boy – Skrap P., SASS #105726 (NM)

Cowgirl – Pearly Heart, SASS #96981 (GA)

Cowboy – Whistlin’ Will, SASS #88382 (Canada)

Lady 49er – Mad Cat with a Gun, SASS #101175 (Norway)

49er – Santa Fe River Stan, SASS #36999 (FL)

Lady Senior – Texas Tiger, SASS #74829 (NM)

Senior – Willie Mescal, SASS #86327 (MO)

Lady Silver Senior- Molly Magoo, SASS #74540 (CA)

Silver Senior – Oklahoma Dee, SASS #44562 (TX)

Grand Dame – Lilly Long, SASS #81344 (UT)

Elder Statesman – Frederick Jackson Turner, SASS #28271 (CA)

Cattle Baroness – Lefty Jo, SASS #18830 (CO)

Cattle Baron – Hells Comin, SASS #56436 (AZ)

La Patrona – Ramblin’ Rose, SASS #2811 (AZ)

El Patron – Black Jack Flagg, SASS #27659 (AZ)

La Reina – Lawless Lori Sue, SASS #80852 (NM)

El Rey – Jayhawk Jerry, SASS #84162 (KS)

Lady Wrangler – Holy Terror, SASS #15362 (TX)

Wrangler – Fast Enuff, SASS #85412 (OR)