Sporting Clays
Gold's Dragoons holds a number of sporting clays competitions each year, under the aegis of Captain of Shooting, Jeffery Wacker, of which two have trophies awarded. The spring shoot is the day following the Nominating Dinner and the fall shoot is the third Saturday in October.
Gold's Dragoons holds a number of sporting clays competitions each year, under the aegis of Captain of Shooting, Jeffery Wacker, of which two have trophies awarded. The spring shoot is the day following the Nominating Dinner and the fall shoot is the third Saturday in October.
Gold's Dragoons Spring Shoot, 2025
After Friday night’s nominating dinner, the day started sunny with temperatures exceeding 75F. Following lunch, 17 shooters were looking ahead to an afternoon of fine competition at Orvis-Sandanona in Millbrook, NY.
Less than sixty minutes after squads were in the field, clouds rapidly emerged and it was clear shooters would need to race to beat an approach storm front. The rains arrived slowly at first, with a couple stations completed in increasingly wet conditions before the heavens opened!
Intrepid Squad 3 managed to shoot all ten stations, finishing Station Ten in record time amidst a full downpour and the sound of “distant thunder”. This gave the term “lightning round” new meaning!
The remaining squads assembled on the Sandanona covered porch and ended their day having completed five or seven stations. With the course closed for the foreseeable future, the completion was suspended.
A full complement of soggy shooters and guests improvised, adapted and overcame the weather, shifting the tailgate to the covered porch. The Gold's Dragoons pop up tent was destroyed, and contents drenched but the champagne bottles had not yet been opened, so all was well
Sunny skies returned as the porch-gating wound down. After sufficiently drying out, 13 guests moved on to Charlotte’s restaurant in Millbrook to continue the revelry and swap stories over dinner.
We look forward to Saturday 18 October for our Fall Shoot.
Trophies & Awards
Due to the weather disruption, some scores were tallied and extrapolated based on stations completed.
Squadron A Cup - Golds Dragoons retains The Cup
Daly Cup - Christopher St Victor de Pinho- 96 (extrapolated)
Carey Cup - James Adams (high guest) - 72 actual
Annie Oakley Award - Jennifer St. Victor de Pinho
Squad High Scores
Sq1 - Chris St Victor de Pinho - 96 (extrapolated from 6 stations)
Sq2 - Score Cards Missing - deemed washed away by wind-driven deluge, but Michael Witter was in the lead at the time of the capitulation
Sq3 - Perry Brown - 86 actual (finished course)
Sq4 - Frank Spano III - 56 (extrapolated from 5 stations)
After Friday night’s nominating dinner, the day started sunny with temperatures exceeding 75F. Following lunch, 17 shooters were looking ahead to an afternoon of fine competition at Orvis-Sandanona in Millbrook, NY.
Less than sixty minutes after squads were in the field, clouds rapidly emerged and it was clear shooters would need to race to beat an approach storm front. The rains arrived slowly at first, with a couple stations completed in increasingly wet conditions before the heavens opened!
Intrepid Squad 3 managed to shoot all ten stations, finishing Station Ten in record time amidst a full downpour and the sound of “distant thunder”. This gave the term “lightning round” new meaning!
The remaining squads assembled on the Sandanona covered porch and ended their day having completed five or seven stations. With the course closed for the foreseeable future, the completion was suspended.
A full complement of soggy shooters and guests improvised, adapted and overcame the weather, shifting the tailgate to the covered porch. The Gold's Dragoons pop up tent was destroyed, and contents drenched but the champagne bottles had not yet been opened, so all was well
Sunny skies returned as the porch-gating wound down. After sufficiently drying out, 13 guests moved on to Charlotte’s restaurant in Millbrook to continue the revelry and swap stories over dinner.
We look forward to Saturday 18 October for our Fall Shoot.
Trophies & Awards
Due to the weather disruption, some scores were tallied and extrapolated based on stations completed.
Squadron A Cup - Golds Dragoons retains The Cup
Daly Cup - Christopher St Victor de Pinho- 96 (extrapolated)
Carey Cup - James Adams (high guest) - 72 actual
Annie Oakley Award - Jennifer St. Victor de Pinho
Squad High Scores
Sq1 - Chris St Victor de Pinho - 96 (extrapolated from 6 stations)
Sq2 - Score Cards Missing - deemed washed away by wind-driven deluge, but Michael Witter was in the lead at the time of the capitulation
Sq3 - Perry Brown - 86 actual (finished course)
Sq4 - Frank Spano III - 56 (extrapolated from 5 stations)
ON THE CLUB VERANDA AWAITING THE END OF THE BIBLICAL DELUGE!
DRYING OUT IN THE BAR AT CHARLOTTE'S, JEFF WACKER (SHOOT CAPTAIN), JOHN CONLIN (MESS PRESIDENT), DAVID RYAN, STEVE RYAN, CHRIS DE PINHO (WINNER OF "TOP GUN")
SHOOT DINNER AT CHARLOTTE'S FROM THE LEFT: PERRY BROWN, ROB DONALDSON, TRISTAN PENISTON-BIRD, JEFF WACKER (SHOOTING CAPTAIN) CHRIS DE PINHO, CHRIS DANIEL, JOHN CONLIN, JENNIFER DE PINHO, JULIA METCALFE, STEVE RYAN, DAVID RYAN, FRANK SPANO III, FRANK SPANO JR
CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFF WACKER PRESENTS THE DALY CUP TO CHRIS DE PINHO
Gold's Dragoons Spring Shoot, 2024
THE GANG'S ALL HERE FOR THE 2023 FALL SHOOT. CENTER, KNEELING, ON THE LEFT IS JEFF WACKER, SHOOTING CAPTAIN AND TOP GUN. ON THE RIGHT, DON CAREY, JNR, WINNER OF THE CAREY CUP FOR NEW MEMBERS
THE CAREY CUP, IN MEMORY OF A LONG TIME MEMBER, COL. DON CAREY (PHOTOGRAPHED)
TROOP COMMANDER JOHN CONLIN CONGRATULATES SQUADRON A PRESIDENT, MICHAEL WITTER. FOR WINNING THE INTERTEAM TROPHY
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JOHN CONLIN PRESENTS THE TOP GUN TROPHY TO JEFF WACKER
DON CAREY, JNR, INSPECTS THE NEW CAREY TROPHY WITH MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN
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Following the 45th Golds Nominating Dinner, 19 Clay Shooters mustered at Sandanona in Millbrook, NY on Saturday May 4 for the Spring 2024 Sporting Clays Shoot.
First City Troop of Philadelphia making its first appearance was represented by Frank Spano, while Michael Witter lead the Squadron A effort.
Squadron A Cup
A three way contest between Squadron A, Gold’s Dragoons and First City Troop of Philadelphia saw the top scoring three members of Gold’s Dragoons (217 points) edge out Squadron A (208) and take the cup!
Carey Cup
Beginning in 2024, the Non-Member / New Member Shooting Cup has been named the Carey Cup in memory of the revered Col. Don Carey USMC, former Mr. Vice of Gold’s Dragoons.
Fittingly, the first winner of the newly named Carey Cup was Col. Carey’s son Don Carey, Jr. with a score of 66.
Daly Cup
The Gold’s Dragoons member cup went to Jeffery Wacker, shooting a 78.
Squad High Scorers
High scores on each squad were as follows:
Squad 1 - Michael Witter 73
Squad 2 - Frank Spano 58
Squad 3 - Chris St Victor de Pinho 75
Squad 4 - Jeffery Wacker 78
Squad 5 - Paul Jagger 73
As has become the custom following shoots at Sandanona, members enjoyed an informal tailgating fete before retiring to Charlotte’s in Millbrook for dinner.
First City Troop of Philadelphia making its first appearance was represented by Frank Spano, while Michael Witter lead the Squadron A effort.
Squadron A Cup
A three way contest between Squadron A, Gold’s Dragoons and First City Troop of Philadelphia saw the top scoring three members of Gold’s Dragoons (217 points) edge out Squadron A (208) and take the cup!
Carey Cup
Beginning in 2024, the Non-Member / New Member Shooting Cup has been named the Carey Cup in memory of the revered Col. Don Carey USMC, former Mr. Vice of Gold’s Dragoons.
Fittingly, the first winner of the newly named Carey Cup was Col. Carey’s son Don Carey, Jr. with a score of 66.
Daly Cup
The Gold’s Dragoons member cup went to Jeffery Wacker, shooting a 78.
Squad High Scorers
High scores on each squad were as follows:
Squad 1 - Michael Witter 73
Squad 2 - Frank Spano 58
Squad 3 - Chris St Victor de Pinho 75
Squad 4 - Jeffery Wacker 78
Squad 5 - Paul Jagger 73
As has become the custom following shoots at Sandanona, members enjoyed an informal tailgating fete before retiring to Charlotte’s in Millbrook for dinner.
New for 2024, the non-member or recent member winner trophy - the Carey Cup!
In memory of Col. Don Carey, the Carey Cup was subscribed to by many members, to be awarded twice a year, subject to superior shooting by a non-member or recent inductee. The 2023 fall shoot was October 28th.
Four squads gathered for the Fall 2023 Golds Dragoon's shoot at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, NY. No one told Mother Nature that Summer was over, so, under glorious warm skies, the Gold’s Dragoons took to the field A tight points race in the top 5 spots yielded scores from [76 to 86] with Alfred D’Isernia posting the high score of the day (shooting under allegiance to Squadron A). Top guns in each squad were Doug MacPherson (80), Al D’Isernia (86), Jeffery Wacker (72) and John Conlin (68). A quick change of his sponsors cap and onto the podium for the highest Golds shooter score was John Hayes (76)! John was awarded his Gold's Dragoons marksman badge. Doug McPherson shot the highest non-member score and won the visitor's shooting plate. He will be invited to join Gold's Dragoons as a prospective member. Highest ladies score for the Annie Oakley trophy went to Susana Stevens (42), one of three lady shooters who took to the field. A special shout out to Donna Pace, who had never held a shotgun in her life and shot a very commendable 29! |
JOHN HAYES WINS THE HUDNER CUP, FOR TOP GOLD'S DRAGOONS SHOT, PRESENTED TO HIM BY CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFF WACKER. JOHN IS AWARDED HIS MARKSMAN BADGE
JEFF WACKER, AL D'ISERNIA (TOP SQUADRON A SHOOTER) AND MIKE WITTER, PRESIDENT OF SQUADRON A
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HUGH SCHOELZEL, DONNA PACE, JOHN CONLIN
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FROM THE LEFT, HB STEVENS, MEGAN MACDONALD, SUSANA STEVENS AND OX GARA
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SUSANA STEVENS, WINNER OF THE ANNIE OAKLY ORCHID FOR TOP FEMALE SHOOTER AT 49
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FIRST TIME SHOOTER, DONNA PACE WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 29!
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The 2023 spring shoot was May 6th. Photos and results for this "Coronation Shoot" are summarized below. The event started with a 21 gun salute to King Charles III on his coronation that day. Gold's Dragoons was given its original charter in 1662 by his direct descendant, King Charles II. Eleven Guns assembled in the tribute - the likes of which Sandanona had not seen before!
When the competition commenced and score keeping started, five squads of shooters took to the field on a warm but windy spring day that could play havoc with the "mini" flight paths.
Best score of the group occurred in Squad Two with Michael Witter posting a 76, winning the Daly Cup for overall high score.
Squad Three high scorer was Paul Jagger with a 74.
Squad One fought off some skirmishers that distracted the squad throughout the afternoon, nonetheless, Mess President Conlin managed to hit 49 clays.
Squad Four was won by Tanner Connors with a 45.
Squad Four was led by Jay Lipp with a 40.
When the competition commenced and score keeping started, five squads of shooters took to the field on a warm but windy spring day that could play havoc with the "mini" flight paths.
Best score of the group occurred in Squad Two with Michael Witter posting a 76, winning the Daly Cup for overall high score.
Squad Three high scorer was Paul Jagger with a 74.
Squad One fought off some skirmishers that distracted the squad throughout the afternoon, nonetheless, Mess President Conlin managed to hit 49 clays.
Squad Four was won by Tanner Connors with a 45.
Squad Four was led by Jay Lipp with a 40.
GOLD'S SHOOTING CAPTAIN, JEFF WACKER, PRESENTS THE SQUADRON A CHALLENGE CUP TO MICHAEL WITTER, CAPTAIN OF THE SQUADRON A TEAM
Squadron A of New York City has donated one of its historical silver trophies as a perpetual challenge cup to be awarded to the top squad of sporting clays in a contest between Gold's Dragoons and Squadron A and other teams who participate. We continue a friendly rivalry with Squadron A that also plays out on the polo field each year and is now extended to our annual spring and fall shoots. Captain of shooting, Jeff Wacker, fielded squads for Gold's Dragoons. The Squadron A top squad was chosen by Michael Witter, president of Squadron A. The cup was convincingly won by Squadron A in both spring and fall shoots, 2022, as well as at the Coronation Shoot in the spring of 2023 and will be held for six months.
LFT TO RT, JIM TOLLES, STEVE RYAN (IN FIELD MESS DRESS) MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN (IN THE HUNT COLORS COAT OF THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOUNDS ) RORY CAPRA (FIELD MESS DRESS) PAUL JAGGER (TRADTIONAL SHOOT DRESS). THE PRESIDENT REGALES THE COMPANY WITH STORIES OF PAST MEMBERS WE HAVE LOVED AND LOST! IN THE GARDEN OF CHARLOTTES, MILLBROOK, POST SHOOT DINNER
Fall Sporting Clays Shoot, 2022
TOM HUDNER CUP, WON BY CHRISTOPHER ST VICTOR DE PINHO, WITH A DAZZLING 95
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SUSANNAH STEVENS WINS THE ANNIE OAKLY AWARD FOR BEST LADY SHOOTER
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CHRIS DE PINHO PRESENTED WITH TOP SHOT AWARD BY SHOOTING CAPTAIN JEFF WACKER
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SQUADRON A TEAM WIN THE SQUADRON A CHALLENGE CUP, FOR FALL, 2022. LFT TO RT: DOUG CAMERON, MIKE WITTER (CAPTAIN), GARRET BOWDEN AND CHRIS DE PINHO (TOP INDIVIDUAL SHOT)
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THE SHOOTERS WARMING UP IN THE CLUBHOUSE AFTER A 34 DEGREE DAY. ON THE RIGHT, MARK PEARSON, WINNER OF THE GOLD'S SHOOTING PLATE FOR THE HIGHEST GUEST SCORE
Fall shoot, 2022
On a somewhat brisk mid November Saturday afternoon with a bit of a nip in the air, four squads took to the field in competition.
Rest assured, The Hudner Cup will return to milder October dates for 2023!
2023 Results
Shooting under the declared banner of Squadron A - Michael Witter, Chris St victor de Pinho, Doug Cameron, Garret Bowden - retained the Squadron A trophy by what would be a narrow margin in a game of blackjack.
Winner of the “Shackleton Endurance trophy” (usually known as “The Annie Oakley Orchid”) for best Lady Shooter went to Susannah Stevens
Squad 1 - Squadron A, Christopher St Victor de Pinho (95) - Best Shooter - Hudner Cup
Squad 2 - Golds' Dragoons, Paul Jagger (68)
Squad 3 - Gold's Dragoons, John Conlin (58)
Squad 4 - Gold's Dragoons, Mark Pearson (58) - Best Guest Shooting Plate
Spring shoot, 2022, Sandanona, NYS
FROM THE LEFT, PAUL JAGGER, CAPTAIN OF GOLD'S DRAGOONS SQUAD 2, NEXT, THE WINNING SQUADRON A SQUAD, JOHN HAYES, GARRETT BOWDEN, SQUAD CAPTAIN MICHAEL WITTER, MILES KITCHIN, CENTER, JOHN CONLIN, SQUAD CAPTAIN GOLD'S DRAGOONS NUMBER 1 SQUAD, THEN RYAN WEDDLE, ROGER BYROM, STEVE DUMONT AND HARRISON DUMONT
Inclement spring weather reduced our shoot to three squads of four, including the Squadron A team. But the rain cleared and the overcast skies made for perfect shooting light.
The three squads were:
Gold's Dragoons number 1
John Conlin. Top squad scorer at 72 and runner up for "top gun".
Victoria W., shot a 36, winner of the Annie Oakley Orchid.
Douglas W.
Roger Byrom. The winner of "best dressed" if we had the category!
Gold's Dragoons number 2
Paul Jagger. Top squad scorer at 67
Ryan Weddle.
Steve Dumont.
Harrison Dumont
Squadron A team
Michael Witter. Top squad scorer at 81, "top gun" for the shoot, winner of the Daly Cup
Miles Kitchin
John Hayes
Garrett Bowden
The three squads were:
Gold's Dragoons number 1
John Conlin. Top squad scorer at 72 and runner up for "top gun".
Victoria W., shot a 36, winner of the Annie Oakley Orchid.
Douglas W.
Roger Byrom. The winner of "best dressed" if we had the category!
Gold's Dragoons number 2
Paul Jagger. Top squad scorer at 67
Ryan Weddle.
Steve Dumont.
Harrison Dumont
Squadron A team
Michael Witter. Top squad scorer at 81, "top gun" for the shoot, winner of the Daly Cup
Miles Kitchin
John Hayes
Garrett Bowden
JOHN CONLIN, AS PRESIDENT OF GOLD'S DRAGOONS, PRESENTS THE SQUADRON A CUP TO MICHAEL WITTER, PRESIDENT OF SQUADRON A, TEAM CAPTAIN OF THE WINNING SQUAD
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GOLD'S DRAGOONS PRESIDENT, JOHN CONLIN, PRESENTS THE "ANNIE OAKLEY ORCHID" TO VICTORIA W., AS THE TOP SCORING FEMALE SHOOTER
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TOP PERFORMING GOLD'S DRAGOONS SQUAD. FROM THE LFT.: ROGER BYROM, DOUGLAS W., VICTORIA W., JOHN CONLIN
The 2021 fall shoot was held on October 24th.
THE GANG'S ALL HERE! EXTREME LFT. "MR VICE", OX GARA WITH TROOP GUIDON. WINNER OF THE HUDNER CUP, HUGH SCHOELZEL, 4TH FROM LFT. CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFFREY WACKER, 5TH FROM LFT, WINNER OF THE GOLD'S SHOOTING PLATE, RIP FURNISS, 8TH FROM LFT, WINNER OF THE "ANNIE OAKLEY ORCHID", ADRIANNA CATLETT (CENTER FRONT, WITH FLOWER)
Amidst Glorious Autumn Foliage, six squads of Dragoons and guests took to the 15 Station Sandanona Sporting Clays Course.
Gold’s Top Gun was Hugh Schoelzel, proving that the former Captain of Shooting and esteemed aviator still has “The Right Stuff”. Scoring a 68, Hugh wins the Hudner Cup.
Runner-Up was a three way tie between Garret Bowden, Paul Jagger and Jeffery Wacker, all scoring 56’s.
Guest Shooter Awards:
Best Score of a non-member:
Rip Furniss (74) won the Gold’s Dragoons Shooting Plate
Runner-up Best Score
Van Furniss (68)
(Gold's Dragoon and proud father, Richard Furniss, may have taught his sons a few new tricks along the way!)
Best Ladies Shooter
Adriana Catlett - (34) wins “The Annie Oakley Orchid” for best female shooter. Second place was guest Victoria W., bravely shooting a 12 gauge and third was first time shooter, guest Allison, who managed to get two birds on one shot.
Top Guns in each squad are as follows:
1 John Conlin disqualified himself after hitting three “poisoned birds” and top honors went to first-timer guest Christian, who has promise of being a natural shooter, at a commendable 35
2 Rip Furniss – 74, winning the Gold’s Shooting Plate
3 Garret Bowden - 56
4 Hugh Schoelzel – 68, winning the Hudner Cup
5 Paul Jagger - 56
6 Jeffery Wacker - 56
Gold’s Top Gun was Hugh Schoelzel, proving that the former Captain of Shooting and esteemed aviator still has “The Right Stuff”. Scoring a 68, Hugh wins the Hudner Cup.
Runner-Up was a three way tie between Garret Bowden, Paul Jagger and Jeffery Wacker, all scoring 56’s.
Guest Shooter Awards:
Best Score of a non-member:
Rip Furniss (74) won the Gold’s Dragoons Shooting Plate
Runner-up Best Score
Van Furniss (68)
(Gold's Dragoon and proud father, Richard Furniss, may have taught his sons a few new tricks along the way!)
Best Ladies Shooter
Adriana Catlett - (34) wins “The Annie Oakley Orchid” for best female shooter. Second place was guest Victoria W., bravely shooting a 12 gauge and third was first time shooter, guest Allison, who managed to get two birds on one shot.
Top Guns in each squad are as follows:
1 John Conlin disqualified himself after hitting three “poisoned birds” and top honors went to first-timer guest Christian, who has promise of being a natural shooter, at a commendable 35
2 Rip Furniss – 74, winning the Gold’s Shooting Plate
3 Garret Bowden - 56
4 Hugh Schoelzel – 68, winning the Hudner Cup
5 Paul Jagger - 56
6 Jeffery Wacker - 56
NUMBER 1 SQUAD - ONE EXPERIENCED SHOOTER AND THREE EAGER ACOLYTES...
...IF IT FLIES, IT DIES!
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EAGERLY AWAITING THE SHOOT RESULTS. CHAMPAGNE FOR THE WINNERS WHO EARNED IT - CHAMPAGNE FOR THE LOSERS WHO NEED IT!
FROM LFT., GARRETT BOWDEN, ADRIANNA CATLETT, GUEST VICTORIA, RICHARD FURNISS, AND GUESTS CHRISTIAN, ALLISON AND DOUGLAS
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HUGH SCHOELZEL ARRIVES SUITABLY EQUIPPED TO HEAR THE RESULTS; HE WAS "TOP GUN" AND WON THE HUDNER CUP FOR BEST FALL SHOOTER
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PAUL JAGGER, GARRETT BOWDEN, AND JEFFERY WACKER, SHOOTING CAPTAIN
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RIP FURNISS, LFT AND BROTHER VAN RT. RIP WON THE GOLD'S SHOOTING PLATE FOR HIGHEST SCORE OF A NON-MEMBER AND IS INVITED TO JOIN GOLD'S DRAGOONS
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OX GARA, LFT., SUITABLY DRESSED FOR A SWEITZER SCHOOTENFEST. MESS PRESIDENT, JOHN CONLIN, RT., SPORTS BERETTA SIMPLICITY
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GARRETT BOWDEN, LFT, JOHN CONLIN, REAR, ADRIANNA CATLETT, RT. WITH HER ‘ANNIE OAKLY ORCHID’ PRESENTED TO THE HIGHEST SCORING FEMALE SHOOTER
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The spring 2021 shoot was held on June 19th and was a great success, with the highest score to date by one of "the guns", but also one of the hottest days, requiring copious quaffing of Champagne afterwards to cool down...
HOT DAY AT SANDANONA BUT CHILLED CHAMPAGNE FOR ALL SHOOTERS, AS BARRELS COOLED. "TOP GUN" CHRIS DE PINHO EXTREME LEFT.
TWO "TOP GUNS", LEFT TO RIGHT, AL D'ISERNIA (WINNER, 2020 NON-MEMBER SHOOTING PLATE) CHRIS ST. VICTOR-DE PINHO, (WINNER TOM HUDNER CUP, 2020) AND TOP SCORER TODAY, ROBERT KOVACKS (MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY), GREG MESNIAEFF
Seven Squads were planned, but deserters reduced the final count to six squads. Squad 4 was designated the phantom "missing squad"....
Winners:
Squad 3 - Was captained by Chris St Victor de Pinho, who also posted the high score of 92 for the day, thereby winning the Daly Cup. He was also presented with his marksman badge for his mess dress uniform. In a victory speech Chris's recipe for success was to "sleep little and hit more clays".
Results of other squads are as follows:
Squad 1 - Captained by John Conlin posted a best score of 80, shot by John Hayes, a guest who is a winner of the non-member shooting plate
Squad 2 - "L Troop" was captained by Hugh Schoelzel and posted a tie for high score of 60, shared by Hugh and Garrett Bowden
Squad 4 - MIA
Squad 5 - Posted a high score of 41, shot by squad leader Stephen Ryan
Squad 6 - Was led by HB Stevens shooting a 53
Squad 7 - Posted a high score of 57, shot by Jeffery Wacker. Special mention goes to first time shooter Harrison, who scored a 20. Congratulations and Well Done!
Post-Shoot Tailgate
By the time the squads had come off the course the camp chairs were out, pop-up tent was erected, table laid and various quiches, cheeses and fruit, etc., available for consumption, contributed by Heather, wife of the troop quartermaster, Ryan Weddle . There was no shortage of Champagne from, among others, H.B. and Susana Stevens, Jeffery Wacker and Julia Metcalf, and Chris St. Victor de Pinho.
At five pm we moved on to a early dinner at our favorite local French restaurant, Charlotte’s, minutes away from the shoot.
Following dinner, we were kindly invited to post-prandial cigars, wine and Port at a local home of member Frank Spano, concluding thirteen continuous hours of Gold's Dragoons fun...following the prior night's regimental dinner that kept some up to 2.30 am...so bed was a welcome option.
Winners:
Squad 3 - Was captained by Chris St Victor de Pinho, who also posted the high score of 92 for the day, thereby winning the Daly Cup. He was also presented with his marksman badge for his mess dress uniform. In a victory speech Chris's recipe for success was to "sleep little and hit more clays".
Results of other squads are as follows:
Squad 1 - Captained by John Conlin posted a best score of 80, shot by John Hayes, a guest who is a winner of the non-member shooting plate
Squad 2 - "L Troop" was captained by Hugh Schoelzel and posted a tie for high score of 60, shared by Hugh and Garrett Bowden
Squad 4 - MIA
Squad 5 - Posted a high score of 41, shot by squad leader Stephen Ryan
Squad 6 - Was led by HB Stevens shooting a 53
Squad 7 - Posted a high score of 57, shot by Jeffery Wacker. Special mention goes to first time shooter Harrison, who scored a 20. Congratulations and Well Done!
Post-Shoot Tailgate
By the time the squads had come off the course the camp chairs were out, pop-up tent was erected, table laid and various quiches, cheeses and fruit, etc., available for consumption, contributed by Heather, wife of the troop quartermaster, Ryan Weddle . There was no shortage of Champagne from, among others, H.B. and Susana Stevens, Jeffery Wacker and Julia Metcalf, and Chris St. Victor de Pinho.
At five pm we moved on to a early dinner at our favorite local French restaurant, Charlotte’s, minutes away from the shoot.
Following dinner, we were kindly invited to post-prandial cigars, wine and Port at a local home of member Frank Spano, concluding thirteen continuous hours of Gold's Dragoons fun...following the prior night's regimental dinner that kept some up to 2.30 am...so bed was a welcome option.
BLESSED AIR CONDITIONING AT CHARLOTTE'S. LEFT TO RIGHT: DAVE RYAN, HB STEVENS, SUSANA STEVENS, GREG MESNAIEFF, FRANK SPANO JNR, FRANK SPANO SNR, JOHN CONLIN, HUGH SCHOELZEL, JULIA METCALF, GARY DYCUS, STEVEN RYAN, SHEILA TEESDALE, RORY CAPRA AND SHOOTING CAPTAIN, JEFFERY WACKER
PHOTOS FROM 2020 AND EARLIER
The spring 2020 shoot had to be cancelled but the fall 2020 event was held at the Sandanona grounds in Millbrook, NY. contesting the Tom Hudner Cup. This was followed by an extra shoot in November of 2020.
EXTRA FALL SHOOT, NOVEMBER 21ST. FROM THE LEFT, DAVID ROGERS, MAX ULE, DAVID RYAN, GREG MESNIAEFF, JEFFERY WACKER, RYAN WEDDLE, JOHN CONLIN, H.B. STEVENS, RORY CAPRA, STEPHEN RYAN, ALLEN MILMAN
We had such fun at the fall shoot on October 17th, 2020, that we decided to do it again on November 21st. This was only the second Gold’s Dragoons event we were able to celebrate in 2020 and the shoot dinner that followed was our only evening event of the year.
We were gifted a great shooting day with overcast for those into-the-sun stations and the sun breaking out in time for the champagne. We shot the Upland Course at Sandanona with Jeffery Wacker, as expected, winning the best score overall and John Conlin being a distant second place, both in Squad B. Dave Rogers was “top gun” in Squad A and Greg Mesniaeff taking the top honors in Squad C. Two of the three “top guns” hit the “poisoned bird” in the final station so their scores would have been even higher.
Our thanks to Susana and H.B. Stevens for providing the champagne and for Jeffery bringing his car, which made a fine bar using the rear spoiler as the counter.
Our thanks to Susana and H.B. Stevens for providing the champagne and for Jeffery bringing his car, which made a fine bar using the rear spoiler as the counter.
After the chilly shoot and the chilled champagne, the warm fireplace of the Orvis clubhouse drew in Max Ule, John Conlin and Susana Stevens.
Later, members moved on to nearby Charlotte’s Restaurant to have the traditional “field mess dress” dinner, conforming to the limit of max ten seated of the New York State guidelines.
FALL 2020 SHOOT. TOP SCORER, AL D'ISERNIA III, ON THE RIGHT. CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, JEFFERY WACKER, SIXTH FROM THE RIGHT HUGH SCHOELZEL, MESS PRESIDENT, JOHN CONLIN, SECOND FROM THE LEFT.
Our fall sporting clays 2020 day had dawned with brilliant sunshine. This was the first actual event for Gold’s Dragoons in 2020, with all other polo matches, military parades and formal dinners, as well as the spring shoot, being a casualty of the Wuhan virus.
We started with a shooting lunch out of doors under canvas which was followed by the shoot. The highest score was by Al D'Isernia III with a 76. He is also the highest-scoring non-member, so he won the Gold's Dragoons Shooting Plate. He will be nominated for membership of Gold’s Dragoons next year and will be presented with the trophy at that time.
The highest-scoring Gold’s Dragoons member was Chris St. Victor-de Pinho with a 70, and he won the Thomas Hudner Cup. Both Chris and Al were in Squad A. Chris has Gold’s Dragoons mess dress and so will be awarded his marksman badge at our next formal event.
The high scorer from Squad B was Rip Furniss, Squad C “top gun” was John Conlin, and top shot in Squad D was Paul Jagger, who had won the Hudner cup two years ago.
Special thanks to Hugh Schoelzel for arranging a splendid day’s shoot and to Jeffery Wacker for his tailgate champagne.
We shoot throughout the year and many of the shoots are at private clubs that offer shooting challenges not open to the general public. Members who are interested should contact the Captain of Shooting and get on his list.
FALL, 2019, POST SHOOT CELEBRATION WITH MR VICE, OX GARA (LFT) AND MESS PRESIDENT JOHN CONLIN (RT) UNDER TROOP GUIDON. SHOOITNG CAPTAIN, HUGH SCHOELZEL (CENTER) IN MESS JACKET
JEN AND CHRIS ST-VICTOR-DE PINHO (LFT), OX GARA, MESS VICE PRESIDENT, (RT) AT PRE-DINNER DRINKS
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SHOOT DINNER AT CHARLOTTE'S, MILLBROOK. MEMBERS COULD ELECT TO WEAR "FIELD MESS DRESS" WHICH IS THE MESS JACKET - WITHOUT MEDALS - OVER SHOOTING CLOTHES
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The Fall 2019 shoot was blessed with great weather, 68 degrees and partly overcast while offering a challenging ten station, 100 round course. We actively encourage members of Golds who have never tried sporting clays to join us. Instruction and gun rentals are available. The invitation is also extended to spouses and adult children.
There were five squads. Newly minted 2/Lt of Golds' Dragoons, Robert Earle won the 2019 Tom Hudner Cup in fine style for best Gold's shot and was top gun of Squad B. Robert also won top honors in our Spring 2019 Daley Cup contest, and is the only member to have won both trophies in the same year. Squad A top performer was Ed Courtemarche, also top guest score. Squad C top gun was Rip Furniss with squad member Franco Barbacci winning "most improved". Squad D top gun was Paul Jagger (who won the Hudner Cup last fall). Squad E top gun was H.B. Stevens.
A special shout out for Robert Earle who, together with his squad, Garrett Bowden, John Conlin and Chris St. Victor-de Pinho, volunteered for the new "Uplands" course, unaware that it was a National Sporting Clays Championship Course. The first station was a seventy yard teal black midi or mini that rose to a memorable height and eluded all efforts at capture. This was followed by an equally difficult second station and several members voiced concern that they had been sold cartridges without any lead shot, whatsoever. Things improved thereafter, fortunately, and Robert Earle shot his way to overall victory on a very difficult course - and with a 20 gauge, no less.
Our special thanks Kristen Feeney, Paul Jagger and Susanna Stevens for supplying the aprés
-shoot goodies and drinks. We salute our indefatigable shooting captain, Hugh Schoelzel, for laying on yet another great shoot and organizing a delightful formal dinner at Charlotte's in nearby Millbrook.
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There were five squads. Newly minted 2/Lt of Golds' Dragoons, Robert Earle won the 2019 Tom Hudner Cup in fine style for best Gold's shot and was top gun of Squad B. Robert also won top honors in our Spring 2019 Daley Cup contest, and is the only member to have won both trophies in the same year. Squad A top performer was Ed Courtemarche, also top guest score. Squad C top gun was Rip Furniss with squad member Franco Barbacci winning "most improved". Squad D top gun was Paul Jagger (who won the Hudner Cup last fall). Squad E top gun was H.B. Stevens.
A special shout out for Robert Earle who, together with his squad, Garrett Bowden, John Conlin and Chris St. Victor-de Pinho, volunteered for the new "Uplands" course, unaware that it was a National Sporting Clays Championship Course. The first station was a seventy yard teal black midi or mini that rose to a memorable height and eluded all efforts at capture. This was followed by an equally difficult second station and several members voiced concern that they had been sold cartridges without any lead shot, whatsoever. Things improved thereafter, fortunately, and Robert Earle shot his way to overall victory on a very difficult course - and with a 20 gauge, no less.
Our special thanks Kristen Feeney, Paul Jagger and Susanna Stevens for supplying the aprés
-shoot goodies and drinks. We salute our indefatigable shooting captain, Hugh Schoelzel, for laying on yet another great shoot and organizing a delightful formal dinner at Charlotte's in nearby Millbrook.
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SPRING 2019 SHOOT, ORVIS SANDANONA, MAY 4TH. CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING, HUGH SCHOEZEL, STANDING 2ND ON THE LEFT. ROBERT EARLE, WINNER OF THE DALY CUP, IS SEATED TO HIS RIGHT
FALL '18 SHOOT DINNER. STANDING REAR LEFT, SHOOTING CAPTAIN HUGH SCHOELZEL. THIRD ON THE RIGHT, PAUL JAGGER, KUKRI CUP WINNER
 2018 KUKRI CUP WINNER PAUL JAGGER IN ACTION
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KUKRI CUP WINNER PAUL JAGGER (LEFT) AT THE 2018 FALL SHOOT DINNER AT TAMARACK PRESERVE.
TROOP COMMANDER JOHN CONLIN IS WEARING THE OPTIONAL 'FIELD MESS DRESS", OUR RED JACKET OVER SHOOTING CLOTHS (WITHOUT MEDALS) USED FOR SHOOTING DINNERS
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Sporting Clays
THE KUKRI CUP HAS BEEN RENAMED THE TOM HUDNER MEMORIAL CUP
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FALL '17. FROM LEFT: HUGH SCHOELZEL (CAPTAIN OF SHOOTING)), QUENTIN RYAN (KUKRI CUP WINNER) JOHN CONLIN (TROOP COMMANDER), GARRETT BOWDEN, PAUL JAGGGER, GREG MESNIAEFF, SUSANA AND HB STEVENS AND FRED PARKIN (WHO SUPPLIED THE CHAMPAGNE AND SHRIMP).
SPRING '17, JEFFERY WACKER, SECOND RIGHT, WINNER OF THE DALY CUP
SPRING '16 SHOOT LUNCH, DALY CUP WINNER, MIKE WITTER, SECOND LFT, SHOOTING PLATE WINNER NOELLE FRUCHT, RIGHT
SPRING '15, JOHN CONLIN, GARRET BOWDEN, GREG MILLER, OX GARA. BERETTA SHOOTING GROUNDS, DOVER FURNANCE, DOVER PLAINS, N.Y.S.
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FALL '16, KUKRI CUP WINNER FRED PARKIN SECOND ON RIGHT
SPRING '15, KUKRI CUP WINNER, DOVER FURNACE
FALL '14, FRED PARKIN, HENRY SCHLEGEL, HUGH SCHOELZEL, JOHN CONLIN AND DAUGHTER, PAUL BOLAND AND PAUL JAGGER
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FALL '15 SHOOT DINNER, STONEHENGE RESTAURANT, RIDGEFIELD, CT.
2014 FALL SHOOTING DINNER, LE CHATEAU, SOUTH SALEM
2014 SPRING SHOOTING PLATE WINNER, ARTHUR WHITCOMB. FAIRFIELD FISH AND GAME PRESERVE
Gold's Dragoons welcomes 12, 20 and 28 gauge shotguns at our shoots. Gauges requiring the assistance of another shooter to hold up the gun barrel are strictly forbidden…
