As I look back, nothing in my experience, nor any of the sporting clays courses on the East Coast, could have prepared me for the 2025 Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship (FMSC) in the United Arab Emirates. The vast desert terrain featured sheer arid cliffs surrounding a giant reservoir, creating a blank canvas for skilled target setters George Digweed and Phil Gray. This was bound to be something special, and it did not disappoint.
At the time of this shoot, I was a Class A shooter with eight punches towards AA. I worked my way up from E Class in 2021. I mention this simply so you can understand the lens through which I was viewing this event and take my comments in context. I am certainly not the most experienced shooter in the world, but that was part of the reason why I was here.
The FMSC was attended by over 400 shooters from 37 countries, and it was the type of shoot that brought out the best. For family reasons, my arrival was delayed and I missed the prelims, but I arrived just in time for the Main event (albeit with no warm-ups). The Main consisted of 60 Super Sporting targets per day (six stations of 10 targets) for four days, totaling 240 targets. Without a doubt, these were the most challenging targets I had ever seen. These targets were further, faster, and dropped like you wouldn’t imagine. To say it was challenging is a gross understatement; but it was truly amazing. From the onset, I felt as though I was shooting well (for me) with my new, almost finished custom stock. Breaking the targets I should have hit, the rest were just beyond my current skillset. It was a mix of "hard and soft"—some targets screaming off the cliff and others showing brilliant transitions.
There were clays that seemed to be clearly out of range for a shotgun, yet other shooters were breaking them. I could not figure out the lead until the afternoon of Day 3—thanks to my squad mates Miltiades Karaolis of Cyprus and Gael Poinsot of France, who both pushed me to the limit of my shooting ability. They were on their respective National Shooting Teams and were incredible shots (Gael finished in the top twelve) as well as amazing people. Nikolai Mestnikov from Russia was also very supportive as he bested me by 20 targets. I finally improved, finishing with a 19, 22, and a 20 in the last three rounds. I was even the only one in our squad to run the second-to-last station (not that I made a big deal of this! 😊). I felt that I had given it everything I had, and it was nice to finish on a high note. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut from time to time.
For me, that is what these events are all about: challenging yourself as a shooter and learning to be just a bit better. The overall competition is secondary. It is also about finding kindred spirits on the course and sharing stories afterward. I made several good friends that week and look forward to seeing everyone at future events. That is why, as a slowly improving amateur, I am willing to travel such distances. The shoot is fun on its own, but for me, it is traveling with a purpose. I am not just another tourist in line to take pictures at well-known sites; I am there for the competition and the experience. The travel is part of the draw, as it takes me to places I may not have considered on my own. I always learn something—whether it’s a way to improve our current product designs or a spark to develop something completely new. It has been said that there are three ways to change your worldview: through the books you read, the places you visit, and the people you meet. My worldview was certainly expanded.
There was one other thing that was very different about this event: you were not allowed to have possession of your shotgun at any time other than while at the range. The United Arab Emirates is very strict with firearms. I highly recommend traveling Emirates Airlines, as they coordinated closely with the shoot organizers—not to mention they had much better airfares. Just make sure you have all your approvals to travel with a firearm filed with the airline and your permits from the event organizers. If you don’t get this right, it will be a challenging trip.
Upon landing in the UAE, the police and event staff collected your shotgun at the airport, transported it to the shooting grounds, and stored it in a secure building. You collected it each day upon arrival and turned it back in at the end of the day. It was a little uncomfortable, but security was top-notch and very well organized. I felt better traveling with our Tournament Vault, where I could lock down my shotgun inside the case along with my AirTags. It would have been very difficult for someone to open my Negrini case as it was wrapped in a 10mm steel cable lock within the Vault, and the AirTags let me know the shotgun was exactly where it was supposed to be. The backpack straps also made it much easier to maneuver through airports. I ended up flying back from Dubai to Orlando for the Jack Links Tournament, so this setup really helped make traveling with a firearm easier and more secure.
The High Overall score for the Main went to Enrico De Tomasi of Italy with a 210. He was in the group ahead of me and brought a real intensity to the game. Andras Szerdahely of Hungary tied for second with Gebben Miles of the US; Miles ended up in third after the shootout. (Miles was on a tear, but a lost contact lens on the last morning unfortunately set him back.) Karen Miles of the US won the Ladies with 190, followed by Dulary Aline of France (182) and Lya Auvret of France (180). Madison Sharpe and Meagan Grossi from the US also finished in the top ten.
Shooters were scattered among various hotels with special rates. We had a large contingent at the InterContinental Fujairah Resort, and it was top-notch—from the rooms and beach to the gym and restaurants. With the nine-hour time difference, I fell into a routine to manage the jet lag. I would wake at 4:30 AM, walk the beach, hit the gym, and eat an early breakfast. Then I would take the bus to the Fujairah Mountain Shooting Club, collect my gun, and sit for a few minutes to absorb the gravity of where I was. It was truly something special.
After shooting, I would head back to the hotel. I took most of my meals at the Intercontinental and was thrilled with the dining options. My evening routine involved hydrating—which included a nice bottle of wine. I was initially concerned about the selection given the UAE’s relationship with alcohol, but my fears were unfounded. They were amazing hosts with great wine and food, all topped with an amazing view of the mountains and the Gulf of Oman. I was in bed by 9:00 PM.
I had limited opportunity to tour Dubai because I had to get to the Jack Links Tournament in Okeechobee, FL. However, since my outbound flight didn’t leave until 3:00 AM, my hotel arranged a car service and guide for the day. I made the most of it, heading downtown to the Dubai Marina Walk and finishing with a tour of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. I even managed a meal of Beef Wellington paired with an amazing claret at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen at the Atlantis. This prepared me well for the transatlantic flight! I wish I had more time to explore, but I hope to do so when the shoot returns to the UAE in 2027. Dubai is a new city in an ancient land with tons of stories waiting to be told. Take a visit if you can—you’ll be glad you did.