Matthew Delehoy Wins Top Hand at National Western Heritage

Congratulations to Matthew Delehoy on his outstanding finish at National Western Heritage! The competition took place July 31–August 1 in Winton, California.

The competition has three components: a history quiz, period clothing and character evaluation (persona), and a shooting competition. The history quiz is based on information in the Western Heritage book along with extra information provided by the state that is hosting the competition. The character that the competitor chooses to portray needs to be someone who could have lived in the Old West in the time period of 1860–1900. They need to wear period-accurate clothing and be able to support their choices with research and give their references. The shooting portion has 6–10 stages (10 this year) which have a variety of targets to be shot in a specific order. The targets, their positions, and the shooting order is different for each stage. The seniors use a shotgun, a rifle, and two revolvers. Shooting scores are based on the time taken to complete the stage with time penalties added for misses, procedural errors, and safety violations.

Placement in the competition is based on the following.

“Every competitor is expected to participate in all three sections. Competitors will be ranked in each section and appropriate recognition given for each. The 4-H Western Heritage Champion (Top Hand) will be decided by an aggregate score of all three sections:

Shooting = 50%
Western Heritage Knowledge = 25%
Period Clothing = 25%.”

Matthew came in 4th for the history test, 4th in the persona interview, and 1st in the senior rimfire shooting portion, making him the overall Senior Rimfire Western Heritage National Champion (Top Hand)!

4th place in the history exam, 4th place in the persona interview, 1st place in the Senior Rimfire Shooting competition and 1st place Senior Rimfire “Top Hand,” making him the overall Senior Rimfire 4H Western Heritage National Champion.

He received ribbons for 4th place in the test and persona, a medal and a powder horn for 1st place in shooting, and a medal, presidential friendship coin, and a pocket watch for Champion (Top Hand).

As overall Top Hand, he received the honor of firing the cannon at the closing ceremony.

Larimer County is so proud of you, Matthew! Congratulations again!