It was a case of close but not close enough for Chris Scully at the recent New Zealand Clay Target Association’s 2019 sporting championship.
Chris, former owner of the Hunting & Fishing shops in Richmond and Nelson, finished third-equal in the event.
He came away from the competition, held just out of Hamilton on February 16 and 17, with mixed feelings, after claiming 181 points out of a possible 200.
However, the winner only shot 185.
“I’m happy to get third but I’m annoyed I didn’t get another four or five points.”
Unlike other clay target categories, such as trap and skeet, sporting competitions aim to replicate field shooting, such as rabbits running along the ground.
There were about 140 competitors at the Hamilton event, he says, with between 30 or 40 from Australia.
“All the top Aussies were there,” he says, “and normally we get pantsed.”
This time, however, New Zealand shooters finished first, second and third-equal.
Conditions were not easy due to the high temperatures, he says.
“It was bloody hot. The Thursday before the competition started it was 34 degrees and then on the first day it was 33. It melted a lot of people.”
A former New Zealand representative, Chris has been named as first reserve for the New Zealand team to compete at the Oceania championships in Brisbane in April.
His wife Karen, who finished fourth in the ladies competition in Hamilton, has also qualified for the New Zealand team.
Members of the Nelson/Waimea Gun Club, Chris and Karen, were joined at the national competition by fellow local shooters Paul and Wendy Hedwig, and Kim Rowe.
Chris, who practices at the club about once a month, says it is the camaraderie among sporting category competitors that attracts him to the discipline.
“It’s the people that we do it with that make it. There’s a light-hearted atmosphere.”
They all stay in campervans at the venue, he says, and enjoy a “bit of banter”.
“It’s really enjoyable and relaxing. Some disciplines are way too serious – but we enjoy a good laugh.”