Hosted by the Forsyth Rifle & Pistol Club, Forsyth, Montana Territory
Quigley 2013
Quigley 2013 has come and gone and the new champion is Edward Tilton with 43 hits on the target array. The weather was exceptional, the crowd was down with 568 registered shooters this year, but the result was one of the best Quigleys ever with a more relaxed atmosphere because the match could be shot in a more timely manner with no rush. My apologies for not getting results posted quicker but we were up and branding steer calves the "morning after" and again today. I hope to dedicate my time this evening getting some pictures and the results on the site. My thanks to the Quigley shooters and the many folks who made this year's match run so well.
8:30 AM, 6/14/13 A quarter inch of rain overnight and strong winds. Weather has cleared, ground is a little soft in spots but traffic can move in. Forecast is for clear skies and moderate wind and temperatures in the high 70s for match days. Registration continues at noon today and squadding with scorekeepers at 1PM . Shooter's meeting to start the match at 8:30 AM Saturday.
Friday morning Quigleyville
9 AM, 6/13/13 Sunshine and moderate winds 12-15 mph. Only a drizzle of rain overnight. Q flat is open for traffic with no problems. Forecast is for severe thunderstorms tonight with 1/2 inch of rain and possible hail. Be prepared to weather it out. Weekend weather remains favorable for the match!
Thursday morning Q site. Crowd is building.
8 PM, 6/12/13 Sunshine and variable winds at the Quigley flat. 80% chance of severe thunderstorms predicted for Thursday night but only moderate amounts of rainfall. The weekend still looks good in the predictions. No trouble getting rigs to the match site at this time.
Wednesday morning view of Quigleyville building up. Picture taken from the Number 2 target. Shooters arrived through the day with about 150 shooters registered for the match.
11 AM, 6/12/13 Overcast, mild winds, match site is open for traffic.
6/12/13 Storm came through last night with just over 2/10 rain at the Q flat. Many surrounding areas received heavier rain up to an inch. Still chances of severe thunderstorms for Wednesday and Thursday, especially overnight. Showers predicted Friday, but two glorious days in the 70s for Saturday and Sunday.
6/11/13 Weather reports are moderating somewhat regarding this week's weather. Weekend weather conditions are currently forecast to be favorable.
6/10/13 According to the National Weather Service we have possible heavy rains predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday and 50% chance of showers on Thursday and Friday. Match weekend looks pretty nice. If you arrive during or after a rain storm please plan on using parking areas in town until the gumbo at the match site has a chance to set up. Otherwise I promise you will get stuck or as a minimum tear up the pasture. The parking areas made available are on the city map below with additional details posted. A match official will visit each of these sites when conditions permit traffic out to the match site. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
School sites are paved. Park only on pavement. Only small rigs can use the Elementary School lot. Please leave clearance around trash bins at the high school as renovation work is being done and workers need access to them. East of Heberle Ford and West of Big Sky Panels (both on Front Street) are gravel parking areas. Rosebud County Fairgrounds is softest ground with parking east of the grandstand area. This area is somewhat congested due to hospital construction so should be last choice. Again, thanks for your cooperation.
6/8/2013 Lee Ranch trailing cattle across the south end of the Quigley flat on the way to summer pastures. Lora and Larry enjoying their "front row seats." Lee Ranch's foreman Keith Stabelfeldt horseback.
6/8/13 update: The firing lines are in place. There are two campers and a vending vehicle now on the Q flat. A couple of "early toilets" are in place. The terrain is navigable with a few soft spots. The moisture level below the surface is pretty high still from our record rains. NWS forecasts show 30 to 40% chance of thunderstorms daily during the week leading up to the match. Trailer access to the range area will be dependent on amounts of rainfall received. If you arrive in the rain or following a rain be prepared to wait it out at one of the school parking lots or the gravel parking area east of Heberle Ford on Front Street. Once the match site sets up enough to allow vehicle traffic you will be notified.
Thursday, 6/8/13, the Quigley targets are up. Tony Turner, Gary Campbell, Dave Gamble and Buz Coker get the east buffalo target up and set and the radio holders in place.
(Monday 6/3/13) Bill Sikes, Buz Coker, Nicole Schwend, Amanda Coker, Sugar and Chester after staking out Quigley Match Headquarters area and Vendor's Row. Charlotte Coker behind the camera helped too.
6/2/13 Conditions Update: Yes, we have had record rainfall this last week with over 6 inches in a country that only gets 12 to 13 in a good year. Dry Creek north of the Q flat (between the firing line and targets) ran big and reservoirs and pits that were at record lows have all been filled. As of Saturday evening the creek was pretty much back down to its banks and the county road and Q flat were already dry again. That was an amazing amount of moisture at one time for us but conditions are already back to normal at the match site other than a 4-wheeler won't currently get across the creek to paint targets. HQ area and vendor's row will be marked off Monday morning. The targets are scheduled to be put up by Wednesday depending on local rain.
The Quigley flat looking towards the "complaint hill." Finally with some spring green after some moisture from Easter snow and late May rain.
Davide Pedersoli & Co. has confirmed they will donate a Sharps Boss Rifle to this year's Quigley Match. It will be brought by American Outdoors TV and be filmed in competition. It will then be given away by drawing at the closing ceremony of the match along with a Shiloh Sharps rifle, C. Sharps youth rifle, Forsyth Gun Club .22 youth rifle and a Jim Wilcox Memorial small fry pellet rifle. Shooters must be present at the drawing to win.
A Tom Selleck signed letter of congratulations and autographed photo of him in his Matthew Quigley role were received today to present to this year's winner of the Matthew Quigley Scholarship. The winner will be announced at graduation later this month. Thanks to the Quigley shooters and Tom Selleck for supporting this scholarship.
Kruger's Kitchen of Rhame, ND will be onsite at the Quigley to serve midweek meals from Tuesday to Thursday leading up to the match weekend.
Shooters are encouraged to check the Vendor List on the Vendor Information page to see who will be at the Quigley this year. Pre-orders for pickup at the Quigley are encouraged to support these businesses. Contact info is on the Match Supporters page.
Quigley 2012
Mike Buchholz, Quigley Champion 2012, 39 of 48 hits in tough conditions. Congratulations Mike!
Shooting target #3 in Sunday's dust bowl conditions. The target line disappeared in the distance with high winds whipping up the dust on the firing line.
Quigley 2012 had a distinct "dust bowl theme" this year with extremely dry conditions and wind gusts exceeding 30 mph during the second day of shooting. It was highly recommended by a number of shooters that we try to find some middle ground for future match conditions between last year's flooding and this year's drought. This year 635 shooters gathered from forty states and four foreign nations to take on the challenge of shooting eight shots for score at each of the six gong targets that make up the course of fire.
The 2012 match champion is Mike Buchholz of Hot Springs, SD. Mike was a top ten shooter in the 2010 match and put together 39 hits of 48 shots for score to take the match this year. He used a Browning BPCR High Wall rifle in 45-70 caliber and a black powder load using Swiss 1 1/2. The second place shooter was 1996 Quigley Champion Ed Schleichardt of Sheridan, WY with a score of 37 hits. Third place went to Spencer Anderson of Ashland, MT with 35 hits over the match. The next five places went to shooters with an overall score of 34 hits. They were 4th Place- Linda Clendenen, Amidon, ND; 5th Place- Roger Young, Gulfport, MS; 6th Place- Buz Coker, Forsyth, MT; 7th Place- Dave Gullo, Sand Point, ID and 8th Place- Pat Taylor, Payson, AZ. Rounding out the top ten with scores of 33 were 9th Place- Dick Savage, Keystone, SD and 10th Place- Blaine Smith, Arlington, VA. Tie scores are broken based on the most hits on the off-hand target and then the 805 yard buffalo target. Equipment lists and load data of the top ten shooters will be published in the Black Powder Cartridge News and on this website at a later date.
The top lady shooter was once again Linda Clendenen who claimed her eighth Crazy Cora title in a row with her score of 34 hits. One shot behind her this year was Sarah Coker of Forsyth, MT with 33 hits and an overall match finish of 14th place. Third place lady was Tiffany Sage of Sidney, NE another shot back at 32 hits. The top Senior shooter was Ed Schleichardt of Sheridan, WY with his score of 37 hits; the White Buffalo (72 yrs+) went to Roger Young of Gulfport, MS with 34 hits; the top Junior shooters (13-16 yrs) were Kelsey Nichols, Coralville, IA, 28 hits, Dustin Irgens, Baker, MT, 26 hits and Kelly Liebers, Whitehall, MT, also 26 hits. The Small Fry winner (12 yrs and younger) was Nick Molitor of Havre, MT with 20 hits. A special award was presented to junior shooter David Schroeder of Pequot Lakes, MN. He received the autographed photo of Tom Selleck for hitting 7 of 8 on the off-hand target. Other categories and winners can be found on the Match Results page of this website.
There were five different rifles given away by drawing at the end of the Quigley competition. Shiloh Sharps of Big Timber, MT provided an 1874 Sharps prize rifle for the 20th consecutive year and it was won by Carl Shaw of Bridgeport, NE. Davide Pedersoli and Co. donated an 1885 High Wall rifle, their 10th rifle donation, and it was won by Scott Rollins of Louisville, NE. C. Sharps Arms of Big Timber, MT donated an 1875 Sharps for a youth shooter for the fourth year and it was presented to Taylor Swogger of Miles City, MT. A special drawing was held among the Small Fry shooters for a pellet rifle donated in memory of Jim Wilcox, a long time Quigley shooter and shooting sports encourager. At the 2009 Quigley Match he was the patriarch of four generations of shooters participating in the match. This special pellet rifle was won by Sade Sutten of Lewisville, TX. Carter Eighmey of Waterloo, IA was the happy winner of a 22 caliber bolt action sporter rifle drawn among youth shooters and donated by a member of the Forsyth Rifle and Pistol Club.
During the shooting of the first target of the match, Sharon Matney of Bozeman, MT was injured when her rifle blew up. The medical response was superb by shooters who are doctors, by EMTs and by other shooters at the site. The match was suspended until the onsite ambulance evacuated her to the local hospital. Sharon's most significant injuries were to her left hand and she was sent to specialist surgeons in Salt Lake City. She has had successful surgery and the prognosis is excellent with an expectation that she will regain most of the use of the injured hand. Information will be posted as it is received regarding the rifle involved and the load that was used. This was an unfortunate accident but on the positive side showed the excellent support of the Quigley shooters in every circumstance. Our best wishes to Ron and Sharon as the recovery process continues.
The 2012 match champion is Mike Buchholz of Hot Springs, SD. Mike was a top ten shooter in the 2010 match and put together 39 hits of 48 shots for score to take the match this year. He used a Browning BPCR High Wall rifle in 45-70 caliber and a black powder load using Swiss 1 1/2. The second place shooter was 1996 Quigley Champion Ed Schleichardt of Sheridan, WY with a score of 37 hits. Third place went to Spencer Anderson of Ashland, MT with 35 hits over the match. The next five places went to shooters with an overall score of 34 hits. They were 4th Place- Linda Clendenen, Amidon, ND; 5th Place- Roger Young, Gulfport, MS; 6th Place- Buz Coker, Forsyth, MT; 7th Place- Dave Gullo, Sand Point, ID and 8th Place- Pat Taylor, Payson, AZ. Rounding out the top ten with scores of 33 were 9th Place- Dick Savage, Keystone, SD and 10th Place- Blaine Smith, Arlington, VA. Tie scores are broken based on the most hits on the off-hand target and then the 805 yard buffalo target. Equipment lists and load data of the top ten shooters will be published in the Black Powder Cartridge News and on this website at a later date.
The top lady shooter was once again Linda Clendenen who claimed her eighth Crazy Cora title in a row with her score of 34 hits. One shot behind her this year was Sarah Coker of Forsyth, MT with 33 hits and an overall match finish of 14th place. Third place lady was Tiffany Sage of Sidney, NE another shot back at 32 hits. The top Senior shooter was Ed Schleichardt of Sheridan, WY with his score of 37 hits; the White Buffalo (72 yrs+) went to Roger Young of Gulfport, MS with 34 hits; the top Junior shooters (13-16 yrs) were Kelsey Nichols, Coralville, IA, 28 hits, Dustin Irgens, Baker, MT, 26 hits and Kelly Liebers, Whitehall, MT, also 26 hits. The Small Fry winner (12 yrs and younger) was Nick Molitor of Havre, MT with 20 hits. A special award was presented to junior shooter David Schroeder of Pequot Lakes, MN. He received the autographed photo of Tom Selleck for hitting 7 of 8 on the off-hand target. Other categories and winners can be found on the Match Results page of this website.
There were five different rifles given away by drawing at the end of the Quigley competition. Shiloh Sharps of Big Timber, MT provided an 1874 Sharps prize rifle for the 20th consecutive year and it was won by Carl Shaw of Bridgeport, NE. Davide Pedersoli and Co. donated an 1885 High Wall rifle, their 10th rifle donation, and it was won by Scott Rollins of Louisville, NE. C. Sharps Arms of Big Timber, MT donated an 1875 Sharps for a youth shooter for the fourth year and it was presented to Taylor Swogger of Miles City, MT. A special drawing was held among the Small Fry shooters for a pellet rifle donated in memory of Jim Wilcox, a long time Quigley shooter and shooting sports encourager. At the 2009 Quigley Match he was the patriarch of four generations of shooters participating in the match. This special pellet rifle was won by Sade Sutten of Lewisville, TX. Carter Eighmey of Waterloo, IA was the happy winner of a 22 caliber bolt action sporter rifle drawn among youth shooters and donated by a member of the Forsyth Rifle and Pistol Club.
During the shooting of the first target of the match, Sharon Matney of Bozeman, MT was injured when her rifle blew up. The medical response was superb by shooters who are doctors, by EMTs and by other shooters at the site. The match was suspended until the onsite ambulance evacuated her to the local hospital. Sharon's most significant injuries were to her left hand and she was sent to specialist surgeons in Salt Lake City. She has had successful surgery and the prognosis is excellent with an expectation that she will regain most of the use of the injured hand. Information will be posted as it is received regarding the rifle involved and the load that was used. This was an unfortunate accident but on the positive side showed the excellent support of the Quigley shooters in every circumstance. Our best wishes to Ron and Sharon as the recovery process continues.
Top ten Quigley 2012 (L to R and back to front) Mike Buchholz (1st), Ed Schleichardt (2nd, high Senior), Spencer Anderson (3rd), Linda Clendenen (4th, Crazy Cora) Roger Young (5th, White Buffalo), Buz Coker (6th), Dave Gullo (7th), Pat Taylor (8th), Dick Savage (9th) and Blaine Smith (10th)
History of the Quigley
The idea for the Quigley Match was born on the drive back home to Forsyth from Miles City, MT, by Al Lee and Earnie Cornett after seeing the movie "Quigley Down Under" starring Tom Selleck. With an active gun club in Forsyth, there were a number of members already shooting single shot black powder cartridge rifles. The first Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match was held in 1991 with twenty-nine shooters.
Since that first match, "The Quigley" has grown to be the largest match of its kind in the world with over 600 competitors from 37 states and four foreign countries. It has evolved into a two-day competition with eight shots for score on six steel silhouette targets at ranges from 350 to 805 yards.
The Quigley's success can be attributed mainly to the camaraderie of its shooters who gather annually for an event where the shooting competition is often secondary to the opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones. Consider joining us for Quigley 2012 on Father's Day weekend, June 16th and 17th.
Since that first match, "The Quigley" has grown to be the largest match of its kind in the world with over 600 competitors from 37 states and four foreign countries. It has evolved into a two-day competition with eight shots for score on six steel silhouette targets at ranges from 350 to 805 yards.
The Quigley's success can be attributed mainly to the camaraderie of its shooters who gather annually for an event where the shooting competition is often secondary to the opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones. Consider joining us for Quigley 2012 on Father's Day weekend, June 16th and 17th.
Lee Ranch yearling steers gathered and moved across the Quigley firing line for delivery, September 2011.
Quigley 2011
Entrance to Quigley Match Site on morning of registration 2011
Quigley 2011 was cancelled due to weather conditions at the match site. It was the first time in twenty years that the match could not be held. Forsyth received record rainfall for May and June and the ranch was saturated so that even minimal rainfall turned the match site into a gumbo mud mess. The pasture where the match is held could not support the level of vehicle or pedestrian traffic for the match under those conditions. With a National Weather Service forecast of 100% chance of heavy rain the night before registration day and 70% chance continuing on Friday with additional rain forecast for both days of the match it was determined the best course of action was to cancel the match and evacuate the range while it was still possible.
One of the reasons for this website is to provide a source of information to shooters enroute to the Quigley since the most difficult task was to inform shooters of the cancellation. We are sorry that it was necessary to cancel the match and particularly regret those we were unable to notify and who arrived only to find the match cancelled. We now have Quigley 2012 on the way and hope to have the weather cooperate. Please note the weather possibilities as listed in the information flyer and be prepared for whatever comes our way.
One of the reasons for this website is to provide a source of information to shooters enroute to the Quigley since the most difficult task was to inform shooters of the cancellation. We are sorry that it was necessary to cancel the match and particularly regret those we were unable to notify and who arrived only to find the match cancelled. We now have Quigley 2012 on the way and hope to have the weather cooperate. Please note the weather possibilities as listed in the information flyer and be prepared for whatever comes our way.
Quigley 2010
Top Ten Quigley shooters for 2010
The twentieth annual Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match was conducted on June 19th and 20th. There were 631 shooters in attendance from thirty-seven different states and four foreign nations. Eight shots were taken for score at six different targets ranging from 350 to 805 yards with a possible score of 48.
The match was won by Keith Lay of Bay Springs, MS, shooting a score of 43 with his 1874 Shiloh Sharps in 45-90 caliber. 'Doc' Lay was also the Quigley Champion in 2006. Second place went to Edward Tilton of Columbia Falls, MT, who was one shot behind the leader with a score of 42. The other shooters in the top ten all scored 41 hits on the target array. They were: 3rd- Tom Burns, Bowman, ND; 4th- Spencer Anderson, Ashland, MT; 5th- Greg Childress, Broadus, MT; 6th- Mark Sackett, Sheridan, WY (top Senior Shooter); 7th- Mike Buchholz, Hot Springs, SD; 8th- Barry Anderson, Miles City, MT; 9th- Dave Gullo, Sand Point, ID; and 10th- Rick Lupcho, Rawlins, WY. Placement was based on who had the most hits on the 350-yard off-hand target and then the 805-yard buffalo.
The top lady shooter was Linda Clendenen of Amidon, ND, who won the 'Crazy Cora' title for the seventh year in a row with a score of 37. The first place Small Fry Shooter (11 years and younger) was Ian Timmins of Sparks, NV, with 21 hits. The Junior title was won by Carter Eighmey of Waterloo, IA, with 37 hits. The White Buffalo Award for 2010 went to Jim 'Tonto' Taylor of Owego, NY, as the best marksman of the shooters 72 and older. His score was 37. Other categories and winners can be found on the Match Results page of this site.
Drawings were held among the match participants for four different rifles. The Shiloh Sharps rifle was won by Renae Christensen of Omaha, NE. A Quigley Sharps provided by Davide Pedersoli & Co went to Ray Chambers of Bloomington, IL. Among youth shooters a drawing was held for a C. Sharps rifle and it was won by Gunner Gordish of Orange Park, FL. Koree Bulkley of Clancy, MT, won the drawing for a youth Winchester .22 rifle donated on behalf of the Forsyth Rifle and Pistol Club.
The match was won by Keith Lay of Bay Springs, MS, shooting a score of 43 with his 1874 Shiloh Sharps in 45-90 caliber. 'Doc' Lay was also the Quigley Champion in 2006. Second place went to Edward Tilton of Columbia Falls, MT, who was one shot behind the leader with a score of 42. The other shooters in the top ten all scored 41 hits on the target array. They were: 3rd- Tom Burns, Bowman, ND; 4th- Spencer Anderson, Ashland, MT; 5th- Greg Childress, Broadus, MT; 6th- Mark Sackett, Sheridan, WY (top Senior Shooter); 7th- Mike Buchholz, Hot Springs, SD; 8th- Barry Anderson, Miles City, MT; 9th- Dave Gullo, Sand Point, ID; and 10th- Rick Lupcho, Rawlins, WY. Placement was based on who had the most hits on the 350-yard off-hand target and then the 805-yard buffalo.
The top lady shooter was Linda Clendenen of Amidon, ND, who won the 'Crazy Cora' title for the seventh year in a row with a score of 37. The first place Small Fry Shooter (11 years and younger) was Ian Timmins of Sparks, NV, with 21 hits. The Junior title was won by Carter Eighmey of Waterloo, IA, with 37 hits. The White Buffalo Award for 2010 went to Jim 'Tonto' Taylor of Owego, NY, as the best marksman of the shooters 72 and older. His score was 37. Other categories and winners can be found on the Match Results page of this site.
Drawings were held among the match participants for four different rifles. The Shiloh Sharps rifle was won by Renae Christensen of Omaha, NE. A Quigley Sharps provided by Davide Pedersoli & Co went to Ray Chambers of Bloomington, IL. Among youth shooters a drawing was held for a C. Sharps rifle and it was won by Gunner Gordish of Orange Park, FL. Koree Bulkley of Clancy, MT, won the drawing for a youth Winchester .22 rifle donated on behalf of the Forsyth Rifle and Pistol Club.
