2013 Bianchi Cup Set for May 22-25

For me there are two seasons: hunting season and shooting season. Turkey season is just ending, which means shooting season is wide open.

New Zealand native, Tiffany Piper, was the rising star at the 2012 Bianchi Cup where she captured the Junior Cup division championship.

One of the biggest events in shooting is the 2013 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup held at Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club near Columbia, Mo. Shooters from all over the globe will be converging at the Bianchi Cup on May 22- 25 to compete for their share of $215,000 in prize money. The Bianchi Cup is the who's who of Action Pistol shooting and is known as the most prestigious and richest shooting event in the world.

It was the brain child of former police officer John Bianchi of holster maker Bianchi International, as a law enforcement training match. Today, it remains the only event that has not deviated from its original course of fire since its inception in 1979.

The Bianchi Cup is divided into four events:

• The Practical Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits.
• The Barricade Event: From within shooting boxes and behind barricades, a shooter fires at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits.
• The Falling Plate Event: From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at 8-inch round, steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
• The Moving Target Event: From within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards, the shooter fires at a target moving from left to right with the target being exposed for only six seconds.

The four-day shooting extravaganza also has side events including the Pro-Am Colt Speed Plates matches held on the final day of the competition.

There is something for nearly every member of the family including a vendor's row which resembles a county fair complete with the latest in shooting apparel, shooting accessories and Bianchi Cup souvenirs.

There are several classes of competitions; so it does not matter if you prefer a tricked out semi-auto equipped with the latest optic or a standard production Smith & Wesson revolver — you can be competitive. Youth shooters and senior shooters are welcome, but don't let the classification fool you — the competition is fierce.

The classifications are divided into six divisions:

• NRA National Action Pistol Champion, winner of the Bianchi Cup
• Metallic Division Champion, winner of the Metallic Division Cup
• Production Division Champion, winner of the Production Division Cup
• Women's Division Champion, winner of the Women's Division Cup
• Senior Division Champion, winner of the John Cameron Memorial Cup
• Junior Division Champion, winner of the Junior Division Cup.

So, who's the safe bet for the 2013 Bianchi Cup? I wouldn't bet against Doug Koenig, the 2012 Bianchi Cup winner, with a total of 14 Bianchi Cup silver trophies at home, I'm sure he has room for another.

If you are looking for a fun day of shooting entertainment then head to the Show-me State. Who knows? Next year you might want to compete yourself.

For more information on the 2013 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup, read their official program here.