Holiday Greetings All,

We are happy to say that the spirit of Steamboat is strong – here are the dates for the 2026 “Steamboat Challenge” CMP and NRA Action Pistol matches at the Otto Road Shooting Range in Cheyenne, WY.  All the matches along with side matches are available for online registration on PRACTISCORE. 

The CMP Regional will be Saturday August 15.  The NRA State Match will be on Sunday August 16.  

For your convenience here are separate PRACTISCORE links for all the matches.  Simply click on the link and fill out the form.  

CMP Regional:  https://practiscore.com/2026-steamboat-challenge-cmp-regional/register

NRA State:  https://practiscore.com/2026-steamboat-challenge-nra-action-pistol-wyoming-state-championship/register

Friday Two Gun Aggregate: https://practiscore.com/2026-steamboat-challenge-two-gun-aggregate-match/register

“Classic 1911” Match: https://practiscore.com/2026-steamboat-classic-1911-side-match/register

NEW:  We are pleased to announce that the Red Lion Hotel in Cheyenne is the official hotel of the 2026 Steamboat Challenge.  The Red Lion is conveniently located off I-80 and is about 10 miles from the range.  For Steamboat competitors a special rate of $105 per night has been arranged.  To get the rate you must call the hotel DIRECT at 307-638-4466 tell the desk you are attending the Steamboat Challenge, and the code is STEA0811.  DO NOT CALL THE RED LION 800 NUMBER OR MAKE A RESERVATION ONLINE.    

Once again, the weekend offers plenty of shooting activities, fun, fellowship, lunch, shirt, prizes and awards along with western hospitality in the “Capital of the Old West”.  For your planning here is the schedule:

Wednesday August 12:  Practice.  No fee to use the range.

Thursday August 13.  Practice. No fee to use the range.  

Friday August 14:  Practice and two-gun aggregate side match.  $50 match fee.  Awards on Saturday after the Regional for high centerfire aggregate and rimfire/centerfire aggregate.

Friday August 14:  NEW: “Classic 1911” side match.  $50 match fee.   (This match replaces the previous year’s revolver match) Only two events to be determined by the match director.  96 shots.  Required to use production grade 1911 pistols single stack .45 ACP.  First place $500 cash, plaque and custom belt buckle, $100 cash for second place, $50 cash for third place.  Awards given during the Saturday morning Regional match shooters meeting.   

Saturday August 15:  CMP Regional Championship.  $100 match fee.  Lunch, shirt, awards and prizes.  

NEW:  Shooters in this year’s CMP Regional may opt to have scores submitted to CMP for Excellence in Competition (EIC) points to be applied toward CMP Distinguished.  $15 fee is required by CMP.   Refer to the CMP Action Pistol rules sections 10 and 11 for detailed information and the minimum standards required.  

Sunday, August 16:  NRA Action Pistol Wyoming State Championship.  $100 match fee.  “The Battle for the Buckles” – custom western belt buckles awarded to top three shooters along with awards for all the divisions and classifications.  Mover and Plates – the other two events will be determined by the infamous “spinning wheel”.  Scores for non-distinguished competitors meeting NRA Distinguished standards will be submitted for points. 

We look forward to seeing our old friends and meeting some new friends here in ‘Ol Cheyenne.  Direct questions to Andy Rayland, Match Director, 307-640-0396 or arayland@charter.net.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

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“2025 - 11th Annual STEAMBOAT CHALLENGE” 

NRA ACTION PISTOL REGIONAL AND WYOMING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The 11th “Steamboat Challenge”  CMP and NRA Action Pistol Championship was conducted the weekend of August 15-17 at Otto Road Range.  The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) recently adopted the sport of Action Pistol and this year's Regional Championship was sanctioned by them.  The NRA remains in the game and this year's Wyoming State Championship was sanctioned by the NRA.   There was a great turnout of shooters of all skill levels — the elite US Army Marksmanship Unit from Fort Benning, GA and the US Border Patrol National Pistol Team made up some of the High Masters and there were also plenty of ordinary casual action pistol enthusiasts who competed and enjoyed a great weekend of shooting, food, prizes awards and some good weather.  

Leading the way for the CMP Regional Championship was 2022 Bianchi Cup Champion Benito Martinez of Albuquerque, NM firing a perfect score of 1920-180X.  The Sunday NRA State Championship was won by Walter Johnson of the US Army Marksmanship Unit with a perfect score of 1920-181X.

Our Cheyenne and Otto Road Range members also took home some awards.  Bridger Steege of Cheyenne was the top junior shooter for the Regional and State matches - and Renee Kocina of Cheyenne captured top honors in the Women’s Division in both Regional and State matches.  

I’d like to thank Hank and Dee VanGoethen who run Otto Rd Shooting Range for once again hosting the matches and for being stalwart supporters of the Action Pistol program at Otto Rd Range.  

“Steamboat” is "powered” by our cadre of volunteers and range officers. This year there was a great turnout which really helped with safety and range operations.    Without them there are no matches so a grateful thanks goes out to Nick Fuerst, Martha Silver, Troy Krawiec, Renee Kocina, Mark Brashear, Jim and Vickie Deppe, Lisa Bryant, Cassidy Fay, The Steege family -Marshall, Bridger, Michelle and Ayvah, Jim Flagg,  Jon Briggs, Linda Rayland, John Sanders and Carlos Sierra.  

Complete results for the CMP Regional and NRA WY State can be found on PRACTISCORE at the following links:

Steamboat Challenge CMP Regional ORSR Aug 16, 2025

2025 Steamboat Challenge NRA Action Pistol Wyoming State Championship