PHOTO GALLERY: Katie Smith, family and friends enjoy cowboy mounted shooting

July 14, 2012 | 7:58 p.m. CDT

Katie Smith and her family enjoy cowboy mounted shooting. Smith and her friends practice runs at her house in Harrisburg. The Smiths freeze brand their horses with a 45 and wings — symbols of the gun they shoot with and the speed they must have during runs.

Katie Smith runs a cowboy mounted shooting pattern during practice July 6 at her home in Harrisburg. | Caitlin Jones

Katie Smith loads her gun before cowboy mounted shooting practice July 6. Smith shoots a .45-caliber long colt pistol that shoots blanks. | Caitlin Jones

The Smiths' brand of wings and 45 is shown on one of their horses. The brand is freeze branded, which causes less pain for the horses. Laura Smith said the 45 stands for the type of gun they shoot and the wings represent going fast during the competition. | Caitlin Jones

Adam Lasley, a friend of the Smiths, fires a blank out of his gun during a cowboy mounted shooting practice July 6. "Laura and Travis (Smith) are the ones who got me involved," Lasley said. | Caitlin Jones

Katie Smith resets the cowboy mounted shooting pattern Friday during practice. | Caitlin Jones

Tanner Brandage, left, holds Cody Pulliam while Katie Smith attempts to spray him with the hose as she washes her horse after cowboy mounted shooting practice July 6 at her home in Harrisburg. | Caitlin Jones