Christmas Classifier

Well, it's really NOT  a Classifier on Christmas...but it's close.  It's only two days later than Christmas...barely enough time for Santa to get his reindeer unharnessed and bedded down.

It's 6 pm on The Day After Christmas and I am pondering tomorrow's Classifier.  I think I have shot in maybe 6 or 8 of them so far.  Can't remember. My IDPA number is #48372 and you can look it up as easily as I can.

Shooting The Classifier is a Big Deal in IDPA.  We are now required to shoot The Classifier every 12 months to be eligible to participate in a Sanctioned Match.  I love Sanctioned Matches and will shoot in every one that I can so, obviously, I need to be re-classified every year.

I will shoot the best I can possibly shoot in The Classifier, regardless of the consequences.  Even though it behooves me to stay in the Marksman Classification, I will ALWAYS and FOREVER try to reach high and scrape and scratch my way to Sharpshooter.

I know that reaching the lofty requirements of Sharpshooter are out of my reach but that won't stop me from trying to get there.  This is really one of the most fun things about IDPA...it's one of the things that motivates all of us IDPA shooters.  We WANT to advance to the next level and we practice, shoot and hope to get there.

Even though it may never happen in our lifetime on this Earth, it is something that we all fantasize about.  Oh, how we would all love to be at least one level higher in our respective Divisions.

I did very well in my CDP Division/Marksman Classification this year.  But was it enough?  Nope.  That's the way IDPA works.   There's always a Brass Ring slightly outside of your reach in the Match Merry-Go-Round.  That's one very fundamental reason why IDPA is so successful.

This week, I shot over 200 rounds in practicing the most basic of shots for the IDPA Classifier.  I try to hark to the idea that it's an FTDR to actually "practice" The Classifier.  But, on the other hand, many of the shots in The Classifier are fundamental to all IDPA Stages.  So, that's what I try to do, stay true to basics and ignore how my practice fits or doesn't fit with The Classifier.

I will be shooting The Classifier on December 27th at the Phoenix Rod & Gun Club (PRG) IDPA at the base of South Mountain.  This club dates back to the 1930's.  The PRG IDPA stages The Classified once a month through rain or shine every year.  They are experts at staging the classifier.  NO one does it better than they do...at least in my own experience.

I have printed out all The Classifier "shooting tips" and have made index cards for how to load my magazines for each of the three stages.  No matter how many times you have shot The Classifier, you always need to refresh your brain on how this important Match is conducted.

It's a Big Deal.  Tonight I feel a little like a college student preparing for a final exam once again.  One of The Beauties of IDPA is that, somehow, someway, this truly international pistol shooting club could re-create that unique feeling once again.

I Love IDPA and I hope you do, too.