INTERNATIONAL

Organised by John Robinson, At the 2004 Phoenix Meeting on the Bank-Hoilday Monday, the first International Gallery Rifle Match had its début, with the first match being between Germany (BDMP) team and England (Phoenix Team).

In 2005 a team from the Republic of Ireland joined in, making in three Nation's.

In 2006 the European Gallery Rifle Federation was formed to promote International GR. The National Governing Bodies of the three founding countries have ratified its Charter.

In 2007 the first International shoot to take place outside the UK with Underlevers, saw the UK and Germany going to Fermoy in Ireland, where John Robinson now shooting for Ireland, shot a Clean 1500 out of 1500 in the main Underlever Match.

2008 saw European Championships Match's held in Fermoy, Co. Cork. Leitmar, Germany and one at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley, England, The Phoenix.

The current format is two teams of four where possible, with two shooting reserves, from each country, competing in a Gallery Rifle Centre Fire 1500 event.

NATIONAL

Teams of four from England, Scotland and Wales compete against each other and against Germany and the Republic of Ireland in Gallery Rifle Small Bore and Gallery Rifle Centre Fire short event aggregates - a combination of the Timed and Precision One and Multi-Target events.

At the Phoenix Meeting, teams from all these countries take part in the European Teams Match. The match introduces competitors to a more challenging level of competition and also strengthens the links of friendship and rivalry we have with the other countries.

There is a long tradition of competition between England, Scotland and Wales in other shooting disciplines and the Gallery Rifle Home Countries Match held at the National Championship Meeting in August is based on an existing model. Once again, teams of four compete in short event aggregates with each team having a shooting reserve.

It is planned to hold other matches with two or more countries taking part at other venues.