Virden’s Richie Joynt sounded like Joe Cocker when discussing his recent success at the Manitoba Trapshooting Association Provincial Championships.
The local cattle farmer was quick to say he was successful with a little help from his friends. At the event, held at the Winnipeg Trap and Skeet Club, Aug. 25-27, the Virden Trap Club member won the Singles A class (196/200 score) and Doubles C class (91/100), was the high overall shooter (out of 58), and was the runner-up in champion handicap (93/100).
“As far as my success goes it's been practice and confidence that have helped me along the way,” Joynt wrote in an email interview. “I shoot out of the Virden Trap Club where there is between 30 and 35 members who are always competitive to shoot against even just in practice nights. Guys like Rodney and Matt Stuart, who have had a lot of success over the years in this sport. Shooting with and against guys of that caliber just on a regular evening helps calm a guy’s nerves and prepare myself for going to competitions.”
At the provincial championships, Joynt found himself in some elite company. The night before the handicap championship, a Calcutta was held with some of the shooters being auctioned off. Joynt and Brandon’s Pat Lamont, one of the North America’s top trap shooters, tied as the highest sellers.
The provincial championships was Joynt’s best weekend of trap in a very successful year.
“This year in general has been a huge step in the right direction for myself,” he wrote. “Winning several times this summer in very competitive classes!”
Joynt got his start in the sport in 2012 with some friends. He never really thought at that time about competing.
“But the more I shot, the more I felt comfortable and confident,” he wrote. “It's truly the competition that drives me to do my best every time we step foot on to the field. Even on practice nights, it's always friendly competition and more so bragging rights between friends.”
Members of the Virden Trap Club have witnessed the hard work Joynt puts into trap shooting and his dedication to the sport.
“Richie is a very dedicated trap shooter and doesn’t miss too many competitions,” said Matt Stuart, one of the club’s executives. “He practices regularly and also is an avid bird hunter. All these things would help him with being an effective shooter.
Joynt believes trap shooting has a lot to offer.
“This is a sport that both young shooters, who are just wanting some practice and experience, and also seasoned veterans can have a lot of fun at. The youth in this sport are what's going to keep it alive and well into the future!”
