This July, Arlene Cardoza won the world championship in her age category for the Cowboy Fast Draw competition. Cardoza, who goes by “Cardoza kid” while competing, won the title of Golden Girl.
This is the second time the Los Banos native has won the world championship in her age group. Cardoza’s first win came in 2022, which awarded her the title of Grand Dame. She also gained the title of Top Hand from the Cowboy Fast Draw Association in 2021, which recognizes service and leadership.
Cowboy Fast Draw competitions are timed events, with shooters competing to get the fastest time in their category. Participants must shoot a round at a target with a light in the center.
The gunslingers’ guns must remain in the holster until the light turns on, and the attached sensors on the target provide an accurate time for when it’s been hit. Participants are encouraged to wear Western inspired clothing and fun competitions are often held at events for best dressed. Additional information can be found on the Cowboy Fast Draw website.
Cardoza’s experience in shooting began in 2007 after a friend’s invitation to learn how to shoot a gun. She found it “empowering” and continued to pursue her interest in shooting.
After two years, Cardoza began competing and came first in the High Sierra League, women’s division competition. Since then, Cardoza has competed all over the country for local, regional, national, and world competitions.
Despite her relatively recent involvement with fast draw shooting, Cardoza’s interest in gunslingers came much earlier in her life. Growing up on a dairy farm, she was surrounded by Western culture, especially since both her father and brother took part in rodeo events.
As a kid, Cardoza preferred to play with toys of that nature over traditional feminine toys, especially being inspired by Western films she often watched.
“My brother would get toy guns or Western wear at Christmas time, and I just wanted the same things he had instead of dolls,” Cardoza said. Now, she has a John Wayne limited edition single action revolver inspired by her long-time hero.
Cardoza’s joy for competing also originates from her childhood. “I’ve always been competitive. I just come from a very competitive family,” she said.
In addition to showing her competitive side, Cardoza enjoys the camaraderie of the Cowboy Fast Draw association. Despite competing against one another, “Everyone acts like a family. It’s really a family that I choose to be in,” she said.
