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New Mexico's Bret Henderson Takes Over IDPA Southwest Region Why it matters: IDPA shooters across New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada have a new boss—and this one actually knows what he's doing. Bret Henderson from Belen, New Mexico, just took the reins as Area Coordinator for the Southwest region as of November 4, 2025. Henderson isn't some desk jockey who got handed the job. The guy's been shooting IDPA for 11 years and holds Expert classification in three divisions: Custom Defensive Pistol, Stock Service Pistol, and Carry Optics. He dabbles in Compact Carry Pistol, Back-Up Gun, and Enhanced Service Pistol when he's feeling frisky. You'll find him at Los Lunas Gun Club and Del Norte Gun Club when he's not traveling around running matches. Match Experience That Actually Counts The big picture: Henderson has Match Director experience at everything from local Tier 1 matches up to Tier 4 competitions. That includes running the New Mexico State Match, New Mexico Blueline, and the Colorado State Championship portion of Third Rock at Cameo. He's also worked staff positions at Nationals and World Championships—the kind of experience that teaches you what works and what turns into a cluster. "I have been shooting IDPA 11 years, and work and shoot matches across the country," Henderson said. "My family has been involved in various disciplines of competitive shooting since I was little. My first competitions were in small and large bore metallic silhouette." Between the lines: The shooting sports are a family affair. His college-age daughter Jordan competes at tiered matches across four states and regularly works staff positions at sanctioned matches nationwide. Having family who understands the commitment helps when you're coordinating a four-state region. What He's Planning What this means for you: Henderson wants more clubs, more sanctioned matches, and more shooters—especially juniors and women. Smart priorities, since those are exactly the areas where IDPA needs growth. He's already talking up upcoming sanctioned matches in his region: Utah State: "A little wet for my taste but is an excellent match" New Mexico State Arizona State South Mountain Showdown Guy's got opinions about weather but recognizes good match management when he sees it. Passing the Torch Henderson gave proper credit to the guys who came before him. He thanked Kevin "K-Mart" Martinez and wished him well, plus acknowledged Ben Petty's contributions to New Mexico IDPA and his "sage advice." That's the mark of someone who understands this is a community effort, not a personal empire. Day Job and Side Hustles When he's not coordinating matches or working on his draw, Henderson runs operations and electronic payments for a large regional bank holding company. Because apparently managing money and managing IDPA shooters require similar skill sets. His off-range time includes hunting, camping, farming, and blacksmithing. Plus volunteer work with veteran support groups and organizations fighting child hunger. The man stays busy. The bottom line: The Southwest region landed an Area Coordinator who actually shoots, runs matches, and understands what competitors need. Henderson's got the experience and the family connections to build on what's already one of the most active IDPA regions in the country. For shooters in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, this appointment means continuity with fresh energy focused on growth. And maybe fewer administrative headaches at your next sanctioned match. Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett Join the Discussion Have any of you competed in IDPA matches across the Southwest region, and what's your experience been with how matches are run in different states?

IDPA Names New Mid-Atlantic Area Coordinator Why it matters: If you're shooting IDPA matches in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or DC, you've got a new boss—and this one actually knows what he's doing. Noel Gardner from Roanoke just took over as Area Coordinator, effective October 28th. Gardner isn't some desk jockey who got handed the job. The guy's been grinding through IDPA since 2013, starting as a regular competitor at his local club in 2007. He earned his Safety Officer credentials in 2014, made Chief Safety Officer in 2016, and worked his way up to Match Director for the National Championship. Between the lines: When someone gets promoted to run Nationals after serving as Assistant MD for four years, that tells you headquarters trusts them not to screw up their biggest event. Gardner will keep the Match Director role through 2026 at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio. Here's where it gets interesting—Gardner competes in damn near every division IDPA offers. We're talking CDP/MM, ESP/SS, SSP/SS, CCP/SS, CO/MM, REV/SS, BUG/MM, and PCC/MM. Either he's genuinely that versatile or has a gear problem that would make most of us jealous. "I usually compete in SSP or PCC, but I shoot in all the divisions," Gardner said. That's not just talk—his match history backs it up. The big picture: Gardner replaces Cody Claxton, who ran the Mid-Atlantic region for a decade. That's solid continuity from someone who knows both sides of the sport—running matches and actually shooting them. Outside IDPA, Gardner works as a Deputy Fire Marshal for Roanoke Fire-EMS, where he's put in over 30 years. When he's not working or shooting, he collects motorcycles. So basically, he's got good taste in dangerous hobbies. What's Actually Changing Gardner's not coming in with some grand revolution. His goals are straightforward and practical: More sanctioned matches: The four-state area needs more opportunities for shooters to earn classification points Better safety officer pool: Can't run good matches without qualified SOs who know their stuff Regional resource: Be available when clubs need help with rules, disputes, or match organization "I plan to promote IDPA across the region by being a resource to shooters," Gardner said. "I hope to bring more sanctioned matches to the area and work with the Safety Officer Instructors to provide a strong base of safety officers." What this means for you: If you're shooting in the Mid-Atlantic region, you'll likely see more match opportunities and better-run events. Gardner's match admin experience means he understands what works and what doesn't. The region's already been growing steadily, with clubs in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware running regular sanctioned matches. More events means more chances to improve your classification and prep for major matches without traveling halfway across the country. The bottom line: IDPA just put someone in charge who actually shoots the sport and knows how to run matches. For shooters in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and DC, that's about as good as it gets. Gardner emphasized he's available as a resource: "I am honored to be able to serve the shooting community in a new and challenging way. If you have any question or I can help you in any way, please reach out to me." You can contact him through IDPA headquarters or catch him at matches throughout the region—assuming he's not too busy switching between his eight different division setups. Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett Join the Discussion Have any of you competed in IDPA matches in the Mid-Atlantic area, and what would you want to see change or improve in the local match schedule?

PRS Competition Explodes to 13,000+ Shooters, Elite Level Rising Fast Why it matters: PRS has evolved from weekend fun shoots to a sport where guys are dropping serious coin and vacation days to stay competitive—and the skill gap between casual and serious is widening fast. I've watched this transformation firsthand since the early days. What started as a handful of matches for long-range nerds has turned into a global competition scene that'll humble even seasoned shooters. The big picture: We're talking about 13,000+ competitors in 2024, spread across over 400 matches worldwide. That's not a niche hobby anymore—that's a legitimate shooting sport. From 12 Matches to Global Domination Back in 2014, you could shoot every PRS match if you had the time and gas money—all 12 of them. Now? Good luck keeping up with 400+ matches across three series. The Pro Series is where reputations get made and egos get crushed. Two days, 200+ rounds, targets from 300 to 1,000 yards. Over 2,000 shooters tried their luck in 2024, with matches now running from Europe to your local state. The Regional Series brought PRS to the masses in 2017—one-day events that don't require a second mortgage. Nearly 7,000 shooters competed in 2024 because not everyone can afford to chase the Pro circuit. The Rimfire Series might be the smartest addition yet. Same challenges, .22 LR costs, shorter distances. Over 4,000 shooters figured out they could practice PRS skills without selling plasma for match ammo. Competition Level Reaches New Heights Between the lines: That guy who used to clean house at your local matches? He's probably getting smoked by teenagers with fresh glass and unlimited practice time. A top-10 finish from 2015 wouldn't crack the top-50 today. The margins prove it—60% of 2024 Pro Series matches were decided by two points or less. Seven ended in ties after two full days of shooting. Top-10 shooter Nathan Toungate puts it bluntly: "If you take 6-12 months off, it's unlikely you'll ever come back to the same level you left." That's not hyperbole—that's the new reality. Tougher Standards, Better Shooters Match directors aren't making it easier. The PRS Skills Stage that used to separate the wheat from the chaff? Now it's: 25% more shots in the same 90 seconds Two targets instead of one Targets 20-40% smaller than the originals Elite shooters are cleaning these stages with time left over. The bar keeps rising because the shooters keep getting better. By the numbers: Making the top 150 for the PRS Finale required 268 points in 2024. That same score would've put you in the top 50 in 2017, top 20 in 2014. The Price of Excellence What this means for you: If you're serious about competing at the top level, plan on 13+ matches annually. That's travel, lodging, match fees, and enough ammo to make your credit card company nervous. Top-20 finishers averaged over 13 professional-level matches in 2024—regular season events, PRS Finale, AG Cup, potentially IPRF World Championship. There are no shortcuts to world-class precision rifle performance, and your wallet will remind you of that fact. The bottom line: PRS growth reflects what's happening across precision shooting—equipment's better, training methods have evolved, and the competitive standard keeps climbing. Regional and Rimfire series offer accessible entry points, but staying competitive at the top requires the kind of commitment that makes your spouse question your priorities. With international expansion just getting started in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, we might be looking at the tip of the iceberg. The sport that started as a few guys with rifles and rangefinders has turned into something that could give traditional shooting sports a run for their money. Read the original article in The Handbook | By Steve Duskett Join the Discussion Have you noticed the skill ceiling getting higher at your local PRS matches, and are you thinking about stepping up your training to stay competitive or just shooting for fun?

New Mexico's Bret Henderson Takes Over IDPA Southwest Region Why it matters: IDPA shooters across New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada have a new boss—and this one actually knows what he's doing. Bret Henderson from Belen, New Mexico, just took the reins as Area Coordinator for the Southwest region as of November 4, 2025. Henderson isn't some desk jockey who got handed the job. The guy's been shooting IDPA for 11 years and holds Expert classification in three divisions: Custom Defensive Pistol, Stock Service Pistol, and Carry Optics. He dabbles in Compact Carry Pistol, Back-Up Gun, and Enhanced Service Pistol when he's feeling frisky. You'll find him at Los Lunas Gun Club and Del Norte Gun Club when he's not traveling around running matches. Match Experience That Actually Counts The big picture: Henderson has Match Director experience at everything from local Tier 1 matches up to Tier 4 competitions. That includes running the New Mexico State Match, New Mexico Blueline, and the Colorado State Championship portion of Third Rock at Cameo. He's also worked staff positions at Nationals and World Championships—the kind of experience that teaches you what works and what turns into a cluster. "I have been shooting IDPA 11 years, and work and shoot matches across the country," Henderson said. "My family has been involved in various disciplines of competitive shooting since I was little. My first competitions were in small and large bore metallic silhouette." Between the lines: The shooting sports are a family affair. His college-age daughter Jordan competes at tiered matches across four states and regularly works staff positions at sanctioned matches nationwide. Having family who understands the commitment helps when you're coordinating a four-state region. What He's Planning What this means for you: Henderson wants more clubs, more sanctioned matches, and more shooters—especially juniors and women. Smart priorities, since those are exactly the areas where IDPA needs growth. He's already talking up upcoming sanctioned matches in his region: Utah State: "A little wet for my taste but is an excellent match" New Mexico State Arizona State South Mountain Showdown Guy's got opinions about weather but recognizes good match management when he sees it. Passing the Torch Henderson gave proper credit to the guys who came before him. He thanked Kevin "K-Mart" Martinez and wished him well, plus acknowledged Ben Petty's contributions to New Mexico IDPA and his "sage advice." That's the mark of someone who understands this is a community effort, not a personal empire. Day Job and Side Hustles When he's not coordinating matches or working on his draw, Henderson runs operations and electronic payments for a large regional bank holding company. Because apparently managing money and managing IDPA shooters require similar skill sets. His off-range time includes hunting, camping, farming, and blacksmithing. Plus volunteer work with veteran support groups and organizations fighting child hunger. The man stays busy. The bottom line: The Southwest region landed an Area Coordinator who actually shoots, runs matches, and understands what competitors need. Henderson's got the experience and the family connections to build on what's already one of the most active IDPA regions in the country. For shooters in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, this appointment means continuity with fresh energy focused on growth. And maybe fewer administrative headaches at your next sanctioned match. Read the original article in The Handbook | By BGC Staff Join the Discussion Have you guys shot any IDPA matches in the Southwest region, and what's your take on how local match organization has been running?

IDPA Names New Mid-Atlantic Area Coordinator Why it matters: If you're shooting IDPA matches in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or DC, you've got a new boss—and this one actually knows what he's doing. Noel Gardner from Roanoke just took over as Area Coordinator, effective October 28th. Gardner isn't some desk jockey who got handed the job. The guy's been grinding through IDPA since 2013, starting as a regular competitor at his local club in 2007. He earned his Safety Officer credentials in 2014, made Chief Safety Officer in 2016, and worked his way up to Match Director for the National Championship. Between the lines: When someone gets promoted to run Nationals after serving as Assistant MD for four years, that tells you headquarters trusts them not to screw up their biggest event. Gardner will keep the Match Director role through 2026 at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio. Here's where it gets interesting—Gardner competes in damn near every division IDPA offers. We're talking CDP/MM, ESP/SS, SSP/SS, CCP/SS, CO/MM, REV/SS, BUG/MM, and PCC/MM. Either he's genuinely that versatile or has a gear problem that would make most of us jealous. "I usually compete in SSP or PCC, but I shoot in all the divisions," Gardner said. That's not just talk—his match history backs it up. The big picture: Gardner replaces Cody Claxton, who ran the Mid-Atlantic region for a decade. That's solid continuity from someone who knows both sides of the sport—running matches and actually shooting them. Outside IDPA, Gardner works as a Deputy Fire Marshal for Roanoke Fire-EMS, where he's put in over 30 years. When he's not working or shooting, he collects motorcycles. So basically, he's got good taste in dangerous hobbies. What's Actually Changing Gardner's not coming in with some grand revolution. His goals are straightforward and practical: More sanctioned matches: The four-state area needs more opportunities for shooters to earn classification points Better safety officer pool: Can't run good matches without qualified SOs who know their stuff Regional resource: Be available when clubs need help with rules, disputes, or match organization "I plan to promote IDPA across the region by being a resource to shooters," Gardner said. "I hope to bring more sanctioned matches to the area and work with the Safety Officer Instructors to provide a strong base of safety officers." What this means for you: If you're shooting in the Mid-Atlantic region, you'll likely see more match opportunities and better-run events. Gardner's match admin experience means he understands what works and what doesn't. The region's already been growing steadily, with clubs in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware running regular sanctioned matches. More events means more chances to improve your classification and prep for major matches without traveling halfway across the country. The bottom line: IDPA just put someone in charge who actually shoots the sport and knows how to run matches. For shooters in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and DC, that's about as good as it gets. Gardner emphasized he's available as a resource: "I am honored to be able to serve the shooting community in a new and challenging way. If you have any question or I can help you in any way, please reach out to me." You can contact him through IDPA headquarters or catch him at matches throughout the region—assuming he's not too busy switching between his eight different division setups. Read the original article in The Handbook | By BGC Staff Join the Discussion Has anyone here competed in IDPA matches in the Mid-Atlantic region, and what would you want to see improved or expanded under new leadership?

PRS Competition Explodes to 13,000+ Shooters, Elite Level Rising Fast Why it matters: PRS has evolved from weekend fun shoots to a sport where guys are dropping serious coin and vacation days to stay competitive—and the skill gap between casual and serious is widening fast. I've watched this transformation firsthand since the early days. What started as a handful of matches for long-range nerds has turned into a global competition scene that'll humble even seasoned shooters. The big picture: We're talking about 13,000+ competitors in 2024, spread across over 400 matches worldwide. That's not a niche hobby anymore—that's a legitimate shooting sport. From 12 Matches to Global Domination Back in 2014, you could shoot every PRS match if you had the time and gas money—all 12 of them. Now? Good luck keeping up with 400+ matches across three series. The Pro Series is where reputations get made and egos get crushed. Two days, 200+ rounds, targets from 300 to 1,000 yards. Over 2,000 shooters tried their luck in 2024, with matches now running from Europe to your local state. The Regional Series brought PRS to the masses in 2017—one-day events that don't require a second mortgage. Nearly 7,000 shooters competed in 2024 because not everyone can afford to chase the Pro circuit. The Rimfire Series might be the smartest addition yet. Same challenges, .22 LR costs, shorter distances. Over 4,000 shooters figured out they could practice PRS skills without selling plasma for match ammo. Competition Level Reaches New Heights Between the lines: That guy who used to clean house at your local matches? He's probably getting smoked by teenagers with fresh glass and unlimited practice time. A top-10 finish from 2015 wouldn't crack the top-50 today. The margins prove it—60% of 2024 Pro Series matches were decided by two points or less. Seven ended in ties after two full days of shooting. Top-10 shooter Nathan Toungate puts it bluntly: "If you take 6-12 months off, it's unlikely you'll ever come back to the same level you left." That's not hyperbole—that's the new reality. Tougher Standards, Better Shooters Match directors aren't making it easier. The PRS Skills Stage that used to separate the wheat from the chaff? Now it's: 25% more shots in the same 90 seconds Two targets instead of one Targets 20-40% smaller than the originals Elite shooters are cleaning these stages with time left over. The bar keeps rising because the shooters keep getting better. By the numbers: Making the top 150 for the PRS Finale required 268 points in 2024. That same score would've put you in the top 50 in 2017, top 20 in 2014. The Price of Excellence What this means for you: If you're serious about competing at the top level, plan on 13+ matches annually. That's travel, lodging, match fees, and enough ammo to make your credit card company nervous. Top-20 finishers averaged over 13 professional-level matches in 2024—regular season events, PRS Finale, AG Cup, potentially IPRF World Championship. There are no shortcuts to world-class precision rifle performance, and your wallet will remind you of that fact. The bottom line: PRS growth reflects what's happening across precision shooting—equipment's better, training methods have evolved, and the competitive standard keeps climbing. Regional and Rimfire series offer accessible entry points, but staying competitive at the top requires the kind of commitment that makes your spouse question your priorities. With international expansion just getting started in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, we might be looking at the tip of the iceberg. The sport that started as a few guys with rifles and rangefinders has turned into something that could give traditional shooting sports a run for their money. Read the original article in The Handbook | By BGC Staff Join the Discussion With PRS matches getting so tight at the pro level, are you more interested in chasing competition now than you were a few years ago, or does the skill gap make it feel less approachable?