Personal best in NFAA Nationals (USA Championships)

I had a lovely day out shooting today, I had taken a couple days off during the NFAA National Championships. I shot as a guest, yet could post scores and compare my efforts against the Americans. I was finally grouped with Sandy McCain (second from right), the most experienced and skilled bowhunter female shooter in the world. She holds world records in both the field and hunter rounds, and she lives and breathes archery. I shot again with Lana (second from left) and Christine (far left). Our group was very relaxed, and we chatted the whole way around the animal round.

Animal round shoot group

I shot extremely well in the Animal round, posting a career high 516 points. I couldn’t do much wrong, the arrows were flowing off my bow and hitting the places I wanted them to go. Funny how things work when you’re not trying too hard, much like how my best rock-climbing has been done while relaxed and totally in the moment.

Here are a couple more photographs from the day out:

Hitting the pro ring!

Lana looking happy, she’s always smiling and enjoying her archery. This photo of her came out super good.

All first arrow kill shots @ 60 yards. Nice work team.

At the conclusion of the shoot everyone got together in the Easton NFAA National Complex for the presentation ceremony. I received a guest medal for my performance, with my score bringing me in second in their National Championships, which I was really happy with. A good practice for the world championships tomorrow! Immediately following the presentation, the opening ceremony for the World Field Archery Championships followed. We were treated to some Native American dances and flute playing, and a BBQ where everyone mingled and chatted about good times before and good times to come. A couple of excerpts follow: