The Queen's Prize

The Queen's Prize (actually the Sovereign's Prize and it becomes the King's or Queen's depending on who is sitting on the thrown) is a multi-stage match that takes place next week. The first three matches are at short range (300, 500, 600) yds on Century Range and the last two are at 900 and 1000 ("over the hill") at Stickledown.

It's an elimination match, and the starting field all the shooters in the Grand Aggregate. There are somewhere between 800-1500 competitors who start the Grand, so it's only the best shooters to get to compete for the prize (determined by their shooting over the week).

After the first three stages, the field is cut down to the top 100 scorers who go over the hill to Stickledown.

After the winner is decided, he (or she since we shoot with a mixed field of women and men) is "chaired" (carried on a huge chair) from Stickledown to all the clubhouses on Bisley Camp. Where the Queen's Prize winner is feted with champagne, spirits and much noise.

When she reaches Canada House, the winner is carried in the chair into our foyer where by tradition she will grab the Stetson and cigarette (we are politically incorrect) from the horns of the Bison over the fireplace: