Where to Start in the Shooting Horse Discipline

Getting started shouldn’t feel confusing or intimidating. The National Shooting Horse Association provides a clear, horse-first path into the shooting horse discipline—whether you have an instructor, train with friends, or are figuring things out on your own.

Shooting horse competitions in the U.S. are primarily organized through established competition organizations such as CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association) and USMS (United States Mounted Shooting). These organizations provide rulebooks, competition structures, local clubs, and sanctioned events that allow riders to compete, earn placements, and participate in the sport. NaSHA does not replace competition sanctioning bodies but supports training frameworks that work alongside them.

NaSHA is not a competition or sanctioning body. Our role is intentionally supportive. We work alongside clubs, instructors, and competition organizations by offering horse-first training frameworks, rider progression tools, clinics, and educational resources.

We are not here to replace experienced teachers or instructors. NaSHA’s role is to publish standards and frameworks that support safe, ethical shooting horse education and complement hands-on instruction.

Extra Support for Members: Video Review & Training Help

NaSHA members may submit training videos for review at no additional cost. This gives riders access to an experienced group of horsemen who can offer thoughtful, horse-first feedback on individual training questions.

This option is especially valuable for riders who don’t have regular access to instruction and want another perspective as they work through specific challenges.

If You Don’t Have an Instructor

You’re not behind—and you’re not alone. Many riders begin their journey without consistent instruction. NaSHA’s structure is designed to support you where you are: Lesson Levels to guide the horse, Rider Progression tools to build rider skill, arena-side guides for day-to-day clarity, and clinics or schools when you’re able to attend.

Whenever possible, we encourage riders to connect with experienced trainers and instructors locally, and we’re always happy to help point you in that direction.
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Step 1: Start With Lesson Levels (Horse-Focused)

Lesson Levels help you understand where your horse is in the training process and what to work on next. They are public, easy to follow, and designed to support long-term development—not shortcuts or pressure.

Lesson Levels provide a shared language for training conversations and help keep progress thoughtful and horse-centered.

Use them as a rider or an instructor to guide lessons and communication.

Step 2: Learn in Person (Clinics & Shooting Horse Schools)

Clinics and Shooting Horse Schools are the fastest way to learn safely and confidently with real-time coaching. These events are designed for education and exposure—not evaluation—and meet riders and horses where they are.

Schools and clinics are ideal opportunities to build confidence, ask questions, and gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced instructors.
National Shooting Horse Association

Shooting Horse Training Manual

The first and only horse-first training manual written specifically for the shooting horse discipline.

This step-by-step framework is designed to help riders build confident, competitive shooting horses — and avoid the common mistakes that derail good horses before they ever reach the arena.

Public Preview (Free): Download a short excerpt to see the tone, framework, and weekly practice template.

Full Manual: Digital book included with NaSHA membership or Shooting Horse School registration (option to purchase hard copy)
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A Proven Foundation

NaSHA’s shooting horse framework isn’t theory — it’s built from more than two decades of experience and a long record of successful, horse-first training. Every principle, from our Four C’s (Cadence, Confidence, Collection, Control) to our Rider Progression toolkit, has been tested and refined through years of competition at every level, clinics and schools held around the country and a lot of participant feedback (both from horses and their riders). 
We’re not here to reinvent anyone’s program or dictate how instructors teach, and we don't believe anything we've created or are sharing is proprietary. We're simply doing what we can, with what we've been given from those who went before us, and offering it back to the sport that honors the war horse.
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National Shooting Horse Association

Getting Started FAQ's

No buzzwords. No fine print. Just clear answers about where to go and what to do next.
Do I need to join a competition org to get started?

No. You don’t need to belong to any competition organization to begin training a shooting horse. However, membership in both CMSA and USMS and your local club is really the best way to connect with other clubs, shooters and experienced trainers. 
Do I need an instructor to use NaSHA's materials? 

No. Our tools are designed to support riders both with and without regular access to instruction. When possible, we encourage learning from experienced instructors, and our materials are meant to complement—not replace—good teaching.
Are these materials only for beginners? 

No. While many riders use them to get started, our frameworks and tools are also used by experienced riders to stay organized, refine skills, and support thoughtful, horse-first progress.
Do I have to join to use your materials? What does the membership include? 

You don't have to join to use our free materials, but you will get additional materials with your membership, including but not limited to: 

  • A digital NaSHA membership card

  • Shooting Horse Foundation Training Manual - digital format

  • Rider Progression Guide & Checklists - digital format

  • The ability to submit training videos for review and additional insight

  • Access to a members-only email newsletter with updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes context on the work we’re doing

  • Early access to newly released educational materials, tools, and resources before they are shared publicly
Will joining NaSHA limit where I can compete?

Not at all. NaSHA is not tied to any single competition organization. Riders are free to compete wherever they choose, and our tools are designed to support preparation across organizations.
Will these tools or checklists be required before I can sign up for a school or clinic? 

No. All NaSHA tools are optional. Clinics and schools are designed for learning and exposure, and the materials simply provide additional structure and support before and after those experiences.
Reach Out Curriculum Framework