PENELOPE PETTICOAT

This is a true story about Penelope Petticoat, Huckleberry Mike, The Linden Kid, and Snake Boot Betty, formally known as the Huckleberry Posse  Back in 2001, the (then unknown) Penelope Petticoat was not aware of the experiences she was about to be a part of. Her husband tells her he is going to a cowboy shoot in Fayetteville, NC. So, off to the Cross Creek Cowboys he goes. (She's thinking "There're Cowboys in North Carolina?) Her husband comes home from his first shoot very excited and explains how great his Cowboy experience was.  Everyone was nice and helpful. He told her how everyone dressed, shooting the scenarios at steel targets, spotting, loading and unloading tables, timing, misses and procedures. He says" In fact, it was so safety oriented that he was going to start working with our 8- year old son and that he would start taking him to the matches". He even ended up getting his brother Scruffy Ron involved. Well, the (unknown) Penelope thought this was all interesting and said, "Great it will be a good father and son thing." So every third Saturday, off they went while the (unknown) Penelope took the 11- year old daughter off to do girl stuff!  Well, about 4 months go by and the unknown Penelope's husband says this Cowboy Shootin' is really fun and that The Linden Kid is really doing well everybody loves to watch him shoot. "You have to come and watch him shoot!" Huckleberry Mike says. "You will really like the Cowboys they are some of your Grandma and Grandpa's People."  You see (Carolyn) has a room in her house that Huckleberry Mike calls a shrine and you can probably guess how it is decorated! YEP! Cowboy and Indian STUFF! The funny thing is that a lot of this Stuff was her Grandparents. There are even pictures of her Grandparents in this room and the are dressed in their everyday attire and look like authentic Cowfolks. (Great pictures I hope to put them on the site soon.) So anyway, being a supportive wife and Mom, the unknown Penelope goes to her first cowboy match, the unknown Snake Boot Betty of course, tags along.  

Well, so begins the hook! I loved watching everyone shoot! It was so very interesting that I starting going to each third Saturday Match and helping, I really enjoyed getting to know all the cowboys and cowgirls; the camaraderie was my favorite part. I never really thought I would start shooting. My biggest fear was that I'd get a safety procedural. Although Huckleberry Mike had always had guns, I had never really gotten involved. Then we went to Mule Camp in 2002 just to watch. It was a muddy mess that year and unbelievable as it may sound, that's what "hooked" me. A week later Penelope Petticoat began to emerge as a Cowgirl and she didn't just want to sit on the hitchin post and take down scores anymore! Penelope Petticoat has gone through gun and costumes since then. Mule Camp is now an annual family event. It's like going back in time! I blame this wonderful experience on my husband every chance I can.

Penelope Petticoat shoots in Ladies Traditional or B Western, buther favorite clothing is Classic Cowgirl and of ourse. Petticoats!  Penelope shoots Ruger Bisley's in 45Cal., a Marlin Cowboy competition in 38Cal., and a 20 gauge Stoger Shotgun.  (YES! I know that everyone else shoots a 12 gauge but, I love my 20 gauge!)  Penelope and that 20 gauge had to go through a lot of Bonding (MISSING) in the beginning and now we work great together.

Cowboy shooting has taught Penelope about things she never thought she would learn. The guns of course, but back in '04 she decided to buy a sewing machine NOTE: She never used a sewing machine ever! Of course she couldn't start with an easy pattern she had to go for two very difficult ones! But with her mother's expert help, the dresses were completed. We were so proud of Snake Boot Betty's that she entered the Costume Contest at Mule Camp and placed 2nd in Juniors Girls.  Since then, Penelope has made some B Western outfits and several Petticoats, but is proudest to have made some shirts for The Linden Kid (now 12) without a pattern.        

So "Who is Penelope Petticoat?" If Carolyn Hillenbrand (her real alias) had to explain Penelope The Cowgirl character.  She would say: Penelope's is a lot like Annie Oakley, Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke, and her Grandmother Betty "Boop" Freeman all wrapped up in one. Penelope loves a good laugh and loves to see other people enjoying the "Spirit of the Game!" Her favorite personal quote is " I MIGHT NOT BE THE FASTEST. BUT, I'M ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAS THE MOSTEST FUN"!   

Penelope and the rest of the Huckleberry Posse shoot in Fayetteville, NC, with the rest of the Cross Creek Cowboys every third Saturday and with The Hickory Regulators in Rocky Mount every first Saturday. They try to attend as many other shoots that they can. We have met so many great cowfolks along the trail and love to shoot at all the clubs. We really appreciate the support and  encouragement that The Linden Kid (now 12) and Snake Boot Betty (now 16) get from folks we shoot with. Everyone has been great role models for our children. If our kids didn't have to go to school we would attend more of the out of state shoots. I have to also say that I am very impressed with all the Young Shooters I have met! Cowfolk parents you have done well!  This Posse will never stop being part of this great gathering of people.  The Wild Bunch may have created SASS but, the everyday Cowboys & Cowgirls is what keeps SASS the greatest public sport you can ever experience!!! YEE!!!!!HAW!!!! SADDLE UP GIRLS!!!  COME EXPERIENCE BEING A DIXIE COWGIRL!!!!!!!!