2010 World English Sporting Clay Champion and World FITASC Silver medalist Ben Husthwaite will be giving sporting clay shooting lessons at Coyote Valley Sporting Clays in Morgan Hill, California on October 14,15 and 16, 2010.  He will also be giving lessons at Rio Brazos Hunting Preserve in Houston Texas on the 26th.  Learn from the best!  To set up a lesson visit his website at BenHusthwaite.com or email him at bengun100(at)hotmail.com.

The month of July saw temperatures heating up all over the globe and the competition was just as hot.  As reported in our story Back to Back Super Blasts! 2010 World ESP and World FITASC Championships the World English Sporting Championship and the World FITASC Championships took place on two consecutive weekends.  Our stats show that many of you all over the world were accessing that page running up to and during the competitions.  I hope you found it to be a valuable resource. 

First up was the Promatic World English Sporting Championship held the weekend of July 10-11 at Lakenheath CTC in Lakenheath U.K.  The  club has mostly flat terrain with a few trees but they have several towers and lifts to make target presentations more interesting.  "They did a good job.  A few eyesight tests," said event champion Ben Husthwaite, "but we shot over new ground where a huge berm has been put in place, so it was new to everyone."  It wasn’t hard to miss the fact the highest finishing American, Scott Robertson, was only 15th and that individually U.S. shooters seemed to fare better at the World FITASC.  I wondered was this due to the target presentations, "Anthony (Matarese Jr. who finished 3rd at the World FITASC) is a class competitor and a good friend.  I believe the problem in the States is that there are too many instructors that really are of a poor standard but claim to be great.  What they are teaching is of no use to people at all.  I shot with some Americans in the prelim and what they were trying was simply horrible, luckily they have booked in for slots with me in Texas in August!" said Husthwaite. 

World FITASC champ George Digweed had another more cryptic take on the subject, "Whilst both shoots were technical, an ability to read a target once is easier than having to do it four times on the bounce."  Further, Team USA Manager Jeff Demmon said in a report, "Driven targets. I have not seen so many fast, high driven targets. We just do not get to see these in the States. I suppose it is a liability concern for club owners, worried about the target chips falling on the shooter. I expect that most Americans had a bit of trouble with these, so we need to find a way to practice these prior to our next outing across the pond."  At any rate the one thing that is certain in sporting is that nothing is certain.  You just never know how and event is going to fall out.

The U.S. however fared well in the team events winning the Waktare trophy which is given to the country with the highest combined team score.  The Ladies and Juniors won Gold, Seniors won Silver, Vets took Bronze and Super Vets clinched another Silver.  In overall scores it stacked up like this, Gold Ben Husthwaite, Silver Paul Simpson and Bronze George Digweed.

The next weekend the international shooting community moved to Laterina, Arezzo, Italy for the World FITASC Championships held at the club ASD Laterina.  It was even hotter in Italy and again Ben Husthwaite was in the thick of things. "The world english is a 2 day sprint where the FITASC is a marathon." said Husthwaite, "Mentally it was torture, the heat and knowing that George and I were so far in front and one sloppy miss could cost you, really took its toll."  Digweed meanwhile was putting on perhaps his best effort ever in a World competition.  Will this man ever stop?  He was 100 straight on day two, 149ex150 by day three and finished on 197ex200, phenomenal.  When asked about his high level of shooting the reply was an understatement, "Personally I was very pleased with my performance.  I always give every shoot 110% and this was no different."  Of Digweed’s performance and his Husthwaite said, "I have huge confidence in my mental game and knowing I’m one of the best there is at finishing a competition really helped.  Sometimes you shoot average and win, other times you leave nothing and just get beat by a special performance, this was one of the latter.  To lose by one still hurts though."

By all accounts the targets set by Veniero Spada were some of the best in recent World Championship history.  Digweed said, "I concur to this, Spada sets excellent targets.  We have been to two or three Italian Championships where he has set the targets and they have been equally as good."  Husthwaite and Bronze medalist Anthony Matarese Jr. have stated they were excellent targets except the harder birds were not thrown in the pairs.  "Targets were superb, I would have thrown harder doubles to lower the scores but all in all a great event.  If you shot six, 24s and two, 23s that’s 190, you wouldn’t have medalled.  However, saying that I estimate the winning score should have been 191." said Husthwaite.  Targets consisted of a deep variety with many colors and specials used, even the "Wombat" was seen.  Digweed was shooting a new set of Perazzi barrels on the weekend and when asked was this a factor said, "Two year ago in Austria at the European (FITASC Championship) I was found wanting on a Spada course by his short, close targets shooting Full and Full.  I had a second set of barrels made choked 3/8 and 5/8 and only used them on his close targets."  When asked about his equipment Husthwaite said, "I believe all of my equipment is the best available, Krieghoff, Briley, Gamebore and Pilla." 

As stated earlier U.S. shooters fared much better at the World FITASC with the highest finisher on the podium, Anthony Matarese Jr. with Bronze, a great follow up to his Silver in Cyprus two years ago.  Wendell Cherry was 7th and Andy Duffy, Cory Kruse and Gregg Wolff all tied for 12th.  In the team events Team USA took home Gold in the Senior and Super-Vet categories.

In closing Digweed had some interesting things to say, "I am very disappointed with what has been sent to me regarding comments on line etc. and what I hear at shoots regarding target quality.  Shooting needs to drop its macho male dominated, puff your chest out image created by a few delusionary shooters who have ideas of grandeur.

A target is a target.  It still counts the same whether it is thrown at 10 meters or 70 meters.  The reason some people like to shoot extreme targets is that their technical inadequacy is not shown up to as great a degree as it is with normal targets.  For some reason certain areas of the Southern Hemisphere think that you can only have fun by shooting extreme targets.  If we are to grow the sport we have to make it enjoyable for all.  The best shots will always win but coming down the stretch on a Sunday night there may be 8-10 shooters in with a chance instead of just 1-2.

I get told all of the time that the targets are crap and it is a 25ex25 layout.  When asked how they got on, "Oh I shot an 18 or a 20 but it should have been a 25."  My response to all of this is when 15 people shoot 195+ then come and speak to me.  Until then wind your necks back in and keep quiet for a bit.  Standards and equipment improve year after year and these are all relative to the end results."

Promatic World English Event Results

World FITASC Event Results

 All other pictures ©2010 Lori Buschmann

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St. Petersbourg, Russia was the host of the 2010 European Parcours de Chasse Championship.  In its 43rd year the event was held May 27-30 at Shooting Club Nevsky.  With some of the events that took place the last few times a major championship was held in Russia still on the minds of shooters, it was definitely a smaller turnout than usual.  Worries about travel in and the handling of firearms in Russia in the past are not unfounded.  This time it seemed to go fairly smoothly though with just a few reports of late arriving guns.  Shooters reported slight difficulties in obtaining visas but that the passage of guns was easy and the locking of the guns at the host club was actually convenient.

"The targets were of a good level even if the scores were high. I enjoyed shooting, the setting was magnificent." said event champ, Christophe Auvret (FRA) however,he went on to say, " There were far too many loopers for my taste with too few fast targets above the head."  Silver medalist Ben Husthwaite (GBR) said of the event, "The Euro was a first class event.  Targets were very technical with some of the most technical simo pairs I have ever shot.  There were eight layouts and all were different in presentation and terrain." 

The big news of the event was the strong showing of the French teams.  "It has been 14 years since a French shooter has won the European championship." said Auvret.  Teams from France won Gold in the Senior, Junior, Veteran and Super-Veteran classes as well as taking the Silver in Ladies. Auvret himself has won four selection shoots in France this year.

Auvret won the event in a shoot-off over Ben Husthwaite of the UK.  Auvret and Husthwaite both shot a 192ex200 in the event with Auvret shooting +18 in the shoot-off to Husthwaites +16. The shoot-off however was not without controversy over some of the calls made by an inexperienced referee.  "The shoot-off I would say one thing, the refereeing was poor, incompetent and the results were wrong and a sad end to a great shoot." said Husthwaite.  From Auvret’s point of view, "Personally, I think there were errors, pieces that were seen or not seen." 

Both shooters being great sportsman spoke highly of the other, "The shoot-off with Ben left me with very good memories of his kindness and the accuracy of his shooting.  I had no particular emotion in the shoot-off with him but very happy to beat him."  said Auvret.  Husthwaite said, "Christophe is a great shot and a long time friend  and I congratulate him on his first major!"

For those not familiar with Christophe Auvret, the 27 year old Frenchman lives in Gisors in the Normandy area of France.  He has been shooting since the age of 10 and has managed a gun club for the last 9 years, the Ball-Trap Club de La Rapée.  He shoots a Browning 525 with 32" barrels and likes Rio cartridges, though everyone in Russia had to shoot what was available at the club, only two makes of cartridges.

Of worthy mention in the shoot were always a threat, George Digweed (GBR) in the Bronze position as well as Felix Soldado Folch (ESP) in Senior 4th.  High Lady was Cheryl Hall of the UK even though it fell out Italy, France then Russia in the Ladies teams.  High Junior was another Spaniard José Julian Moreno Carrasco.

In the hotly contested Junior team event it fell out with the French team on top led by Guillaume Gay, then Italy led by the young ace Michael Spada and bronze went to the team from Sweden led by Jonathan Hermansson.

To wrap things up, Auvret says, "Finally, I thank the federation that helped me go to Russia, the staff of Team France, Dr. Dominique Lemonnier et al. and all my friends on the French team."

43rd European FITASC scores

Ball-Trap Club de La Rapée

Shooting Club Nevsky 

Recent European Parcours de Chasse silver medalist and previous world champ Ben Husthwaite will be giving lessons at Rio Brazos Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays in Simonton, TX just outside of Houston.  He will be there August 14-16, 2010.  To book a lesson contact him at bengun100@hotmail.com or through his website at http://www.benhusthwaite.com/

If you have a shooting related question you  just can’t wait to ask Ben.  Why not ask it now on our Ask Ben! page?

World Champion competitor, instructor and target setter Ben Husthwaite is making himself available to answer ISC reader’s sporting clays questions.  Take this opportunity to pick the mind of a master!  Go to the Ask Ben! page and fill in the form or send an email with your question today.

I recently caught up with Ben Husthwaite and discussed what his plans are for the year, his preparation for competition and the North American FITASC where he is setting targets.

So what are your plans for this year?

To compete at all majors and prepare for World FITASC above all else.

I know you must want that World FITASC win really bad. How are you going to get it?

I last won it in 2006.

Yes

and in Cyprus thought I did enough to win it but was beat by a very special performance, in 2009 I was ill prepared and lacked motivation also it was a bit of a flat event with half the worlds best not there.  So in Italy it will be huge with the best of the best there and it will be 2 months preparation and try and get it right again.

Yes that won’t be the case, all the top guns will be in Italy.  Maybe even a few oddballs from countries that don’t usually go.  Do you set your sites on just your performance or do you think about WHO you have to beat?

In the back of your mind you have the usual contenders but I can’t control their performance so really I just make sure I’m in the best shape I can be and hope my timing is there on the Thursday the event starts.

You said to me that in Cyprus at the shootoff you felt a little flat I think. Do you have a good shoot off record?  Do you prepare for the potential of a shoot off mentally?

My shoot off record I would say is very good I actually won the world in a very good shoot off, but when its the silver medal I lose the same buzz having won (gold) already.  Some of the younger lads, I’m only 31, (laughter) who have not won it yet, the silver carries drive and desire I think I’m the youngest person to have a full set of Euro and World medals.  Euro’s, two gold, two silver, one bronze.  One World gold, four silver, three bronze and two World Cups.  I think this impacts the state of mind your in, dependant on what medal you shoot off for.

That’s understandable.  Have you shot at the Laterina club before?

No but will get pictures and speak with the Italian team well in advance.  They cant throw things we haven’t shot before.

True…especially at your level.  Do you find though that sometimes a competition can be tough because of the ‘style’ of targets thrown…maybe even boring?

(laughter)

To be honest the goal always blinds what I feel of the shoot untill the journey home, when I start to think about it.  No matter what they throw, someone will be crowned world champ and I’d rather that was me. (laughs) So moaning and whining can’t help.

(laughter)

I know you put a lot of emphasis on health and physical training.  What do you do in those areas?

I play a lot of rugby for the fitness and stamina.  Walking around mountains in heat seriously takes its toll on some shooters.  I also hit the gym 5 times a week, when I was growing up at international events you would sit round the pool and the top shots would sit together and it would look like team fat club! (laughter) Thats not good for the sport’s (image) in the media.  It’s good to see that the new top shots care about this and a new trend is being set.

So on competition day, what’s your plan like as far as what you eat before shooting and then during the event? What about hydration?

I always start the day with a bath, if I’m on the in the morning then its a slow release carb and protein loaded breakfast with a cereal bar and fruit during the round.  If I’m on in the afternoon I eat a little breakfast then a swim or spa if available maybe a little workout then the same carb and protein lunch before shooting.  For hydration I use the Go Yin products which are fantastic for energy and concentration and then your regular Gatorade type drinks for energy.

Any thoughts on the World English being back at Lakenheath again? I think it will be Dyson on targets.  Some people complain of the terrain being too flat.

Pete Usher is a great organizer and delagator.  I don’t think the terrain helps the course designer, Dyson that is and only having the one setter may not work in the shoots favor at all, but Pete will pull something off of that I’m sure.  I just hope the level of difficulty represents the shoot.

In your opinion, what’s more important in the UK as far as English sporting, the World or something like the British Open?

For me the biggest sporting shoot is the British Open but I enjoy the World sporting because I get to shoot with international friends etc, although I do think the format should stay how it is now.  Whoever thought of making it three yearly and moving it around needs locking up.

Yes, I believe that has caused some bickering among associations.  I heard New Zealand for next year…is that right?

Yes and they may get a squad to enter.

(laughter)

Are you going to Euro FITASC in Russia?

If they hold it there then yes but have been told it may be moved due to difficulties getting in.

Oh yeah? Interesting, I too have heard it’s an unpopular choice because of the difficulties with the "authorities" etc…

Correct, its a nightmare getting in.

What’s going to be your first event in th U.S.?

I’m setting the targets in Nashville for the Hafley’s, don’t really have any plans to compete there yet.  I’m doing a lot of lessons over there in March and April.

About the North American Championships, what do you have in store for us target wise?

Only seen pictures of the ground so I’m blank as to what I have to work with although it looks intriguing.  I will bring my usual flair to the event and also please the masses with targets to break.  It will be enjoyable but the winner will need to shoot well and I will be giving lessons on my targets after the event.

I bet a lot of shooters, if they’re smart, will take you up on that!

Hope so. (laughs) as then I can bring target reading in to the lessons too.

How did you get into sporting?  Through your father?

We went to a fete together and they had it (sporting) on, I was 8 so we tried it and both were hooked from there.  It’s my Dad that keeps me going still.  When I broke the world 5-stand record last year with 100 x 100, the look on my Dad’s and Brian Duquesnay’s, my second Dad’s, face made me realize why I still do it.

You were at the first World English in San Antonio as a junior correct?

Yes 1995, defending my title I won in 1994.

I remember watching you shoot there along with Digweed and some of the classics like Stuart Clark and Barry Davis [ed note. I meant Barry Simpson but not entirely sure he was there now.]  It was eye opening to us Texans…

Digweed?  Never heard of him but Stuart’s a legend.

(laughter)

You going to use the same gun and cartridge setup this year as last?

Yes mate its been the same for ten years no point changing but I will hang the gun up for a newbie at the end of this year.  Krieghoff/Gamebore, when I compete I know I have the best equipment in the game along with HiDef Spex and Briley.  It can only be pilot error when I miss.

Who is at the top of the game, right now?

I still believe the best three in the world are me, George and Richard (Faulds) without a doubt, not talent wise but mentally, we are stronger.  Me and Richard have the best records at the World FITASC of anyone out there…but I would like to dedicate this interview and any wins this year to a great friend, mentor and shotgun legend A. J. Smith.

Great…I’m so sad I never got to meet him or see him shoot.  What a true legend…

He was a close friend of mine.

As stated Ben will be giving lessons in the U.S. in March and April.  To sign up for the sessions at the N.A. FITASC contact Dogwood Hollow Lodge or inquire at Ben’s website.

For more information on the North American FITASC Championship see our exclusive interview with event manager Mike Hafley.

Photos courtesy: Ben Husthwaite 

News on what could shape up to be one of those epic events from shoot manager Mike Hafley.  He reports that entries for the N.A. FITASC Championship event taking place March 25 – 28, 2010 are filling up quickly.  Here is the latest from Mike,

Registrations have been coming in at a brisk pace. Right now rotation two (starts at 10:30 Fri) on the FITASC is full.
Rotation three is also starting to fill up. We have 100+ registered right now with more coming in daily. Rotation one and four both still have plenty of openings. The Dogwood Cup Sporting event also has close to a 100 entries with room still left in all three rotations.

Looks like the event which is taking place on what is essentially a greenfield site is proving an attractive draw for shooters.  It will take place at the new Dogwood Hollow Lodge facility in Bucksnort, TN outside of Nashville.  The event is a World and North American Cup qualifier.  Targets will be set by Ben Husthwaite who is fast becoming a favorite setter among shooters.  Sign up before it’s too late and get your Hoop on in 2010!

See the 2010 FITASC SHOOTS USA calendar for more.

The following are 10 Questions put to Ben Husthwaite (GBR), who picked up a Bronze in the 2008 World F.I.T.A.S.C. Championship held at Limassol International Shooting Club, Cyprus. With his medal finish on 194 ex 200, Ben continues to be a tough competitor on the world shooting scene.

International Sporting Clays: Lets review for a moment. According to the F.I.T.A.S.C. web site you have finished in an open Senior class medal position in each of the last 4 years. 2005 (3rd), 2006 (1st), 2007 (2nd) and 2008 (3rd), a very consistent record. How do you feel about your record thus far?

Ben Husthwaite: I have medaled at every world championship since 1999, that’s a record in itself. 9 consecutive medals. It’s a record I am proud of and it proves for 9 years, I have been one of the top 3 in the world.

ISC: How would you rate your performance in this years comp?

BH: This year I was pleased with my performance apart from the 22 ex 25 (on Parcour Beretta). It’s the first time a 100 straight has ever been shot at a world championship. I won the (F.I.T.A.S.C.) World Cup as well.

ISC: Tell us about the ones that got away. Shooting 194 ex 200, with so few misses you must remember what caused them, technique, execution, etc. Any in particular that stand out?

BH: I only ever miss due to lack of concentration, that’s the same as every other top shot. We have good fundamentals, it’s only concentration that gets in the way.

ISC: Tell us briefly about the shoot-off for Silver against Anthony Materese Jr. (USA)?

BH: By the time the shoot off came around I felt flat and couldn’t get up for it (scoring 20 ex 25). Saying that, Ant’s score (194 ex 200/22 ex 25) was superb, he is a great friend and one of the best shots in the world.

ISC: Not to take anything away from Richard Faulds’ (GBR) marvelous 198 ex 200 score, it has been speculated that the new standards set by the F.I.T.A.S.C. regarding percentages of difficult targets thrown per layout may have ‘softened’ the targets a bit. What is your impression?

BH: 198 was the best display of shotgun shooting I have ever seen, but I do feel that the targets need to become harder. The targets were not bad and could have been harder just by throwing the hard bird in the pair.

ISC: In terms of titles, do you feel the World F.I.T.A.S.C. is THE ONE to win?

BH: The World F.I.T.A.S.C. is the one to win, followed by the Euro F.I.T.A.S.C., then the World Cup and then the World Sporting.

ISC: Give us some thoughts on the Limassol grounds and the targets thrown in particular.

BH: I have shot Limassol before and knew what to expect, the targets were OK, the grounds and facilities were great.

ISC: What cartridge did you shoot and how important is it that you shoot a particular brand or load in competition?

BH: I shot Gamebore Buffalo as usual and if you believe in what your shooting, your fine.

ISC: What do you think about the fact that 800+ shooters turned out for this event in a small out of the way place and how do you see next years turnout in a less small but even more out of the way place, Australia?

BH: Cyprus is easy to get to so was always going to be busy. I’ll be surprised if Australia have half that entry.

ISC: Any closing thoughts?

BH: I believe fitness played a huge part of this years World. The 3 medal winners were all fit young men, this can’t be a coincidence.

Ben Hushwaite website

The International Sporting Clays Blog thanks Mister Ben Husthwaite for his cooperation. Photo courtesy of Mister Henry S.F. Nachaj. More can be found at his website www.sportingphotosshop.com. For official scores and updates see the F.I.T.A.S.C. site.