COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado-A rifle sold at auction-five different times-at last weekend's Wild Sheep Foundation convention netted $175,000 to help train American rifle, pistol and shotgun shooters for the 2012 Olympics.
Auction proceeds will go to USA Shooting, the nonprofit organization that governs and promotes international shooting sports and prepares athletes for competition.
"We have a long and wonderful partnership with the Wild Sheep Foundation. In fact, since 2005 our partnership has raised more than $800,000 for Olympic shooting," said Buddy DuVall, executive director of USA Shooting Team Foundation. "This year's auction was extra special. The electricity and spirit of patriotism in the audience seemed to escalate with each bid."
The rifle, a Winchester Model 1885 engraved by Baron Engraving, featured the Wild Sheep Foundation and USA Shooting logos surrounded by scrollwork. The receiver of the rifle was plated overall in 24-karat gold. The rifle first sold for $60,000. The winning bidder then donated the rifle back into the auction to be sold again. So did the second winning bidder, and the third and the fourth. The auction ended after the fifth sale with a cumulative total of $175,000.
The auction was held as part of the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and International Sporting Expo, Feb. 3-6, in Reno, Nev. The annual event is a showcase and fundraiser for the organization's conservation mission.
Five members of the USA Shooting Team were on hand throughout the event, including a special sporting clays competition that served as fundraiser for wild sheep conservation and the shooting team. Participants included:
• Corey Cogdell-Olympic bronze medalist, 2008. Shotgun: trap. First U.S. woman ever to win a medal in her event.
• Glenn Eller-Olympic gold medalist, 2008. Shotgun: double trap.
• Matt Emmons-Olympic gold medalist, 2004; Olympic silver medalist, 2008. Rifle: men's prone, 3x40; Air rifle.
• Amber English-Junior Olympic gold medalist, 2009. Shotgun: skeet.
• Jeff Holguin-Olympian, 2008; World Championships silver medalist, 2009; World Cup bronze medalist, 2009. Shotgun: double trap.
For more information about USA Shooting, visit www.usashooting.com.
For the Wild Sheep Foundation, visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org.
