I’m sometimes asked what I’d do if a person without competition experience showed up and won the match.

That’s easy. I’d offer congratulations and applaud loudly. Because that’s what happens when anyone wins.

George Farr was an unknown shooter using improvised and borrowed equipment. He managed to set a record at his first appearance at Camp Perry during the National Matches. His first-time appearance was so inspiring that the Farr Trophy was created in his honor and is still rewarded to the top shooter using a Service Rifle during the NRA Long Range Nationals.

Admiring shooters surrounded George on all sides and it wasn’t long before someone suggested that the rifle and its shooter deserved to stay together. A collection taken up from fellow competitors representing several state teams made it possible for Farr to purchase that rifle. A silver plate for the left side of the rifle was engraved to commemorate the event. But the story doesn’t end there.

The next year, the Civilian Team Trophy was re-designated as the Farr Trophy. George Farr’s record string on the old target system was never beaten.

Birth of a Legend: The Farr Rifle
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/4/21/birth-of-a-legend-the-farr-rifle/

Farr Trophy
http://competitions.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/nat-trophy/tro-073.pdf

In case you’re wondering how the experienced competitors will treat you if you show up to your first match and win something big, something equally amazing will happen to you as did Mr. Farr. But ya gotta show up first…

There’s a reason we have to go all the way back to 1921 to remember a remarkable performance from a first timer.