Amy Easeman, CPSA champion
In the second in a series of interviews with top-level shooters, David Turner talks to Amy Easeman, CPSA Clay Shooter of the Year 2020
Iasked Amy, 20, a number of questions that any newcomer or aspiring shooter might want to put to her, as well as asking how she achieved her successes. This is what she said:
Amy, how long have you been shooting? When, where and how did you start?
I’m a born and bred Bucks girl. I first picked a gun up at the age of eight with very little persuasion from my father, Phil Easeman, at the Long Marston Gun Club, which is a very small and friendly club shoot [in neighbouring Hertfordshire]. I have also been around the countryside and involved with the sport since I was four, picking-up on game shoots with my grandad on the Hampden shoot.
Where do you shoot mostly and do you have a preferred ground? Do you use any particular disciplines to help with your practice?
I like to do most of my practice at AC Sporting Targets and E.J. Churchill’s shooting ground. They are so close to home and their facilities are amazing. They are also friendly and supportive. I tend to only shoot Compak and Sporting, though I will do the occasional FITASC shoot and might do a couple rounds of Skeet as practice, as it’s really good to get you moving and swinging with targets.
What type and brand of gun do you shoot?
I have always shot a Browning and for the last six seasons have been shooting with a B725 Black Edition. I am very fortunate to be sponsored by Browning and I am very grateful for their generosity to me. I have always shot 30in barrels ever since I could handle it as I’m not that tall. Plus, I shoot Compak a lot and having to shoot quick, closer targets, it’s easier to get moving with a light short gun.
What cartridges, shot size and load do you usually use? Do you have a favourite cartridge and choke combination?
I’m also very fortunate to be sponsored by Winchester Ammunition. This will be my first season with the shell. I will be shooting 28g 8s. I tend not to change my shot size or my chokes during shooting. I shoot 8s at everything; and half-and-half chokes at everything too. Before signing with Winchester I was very lucky to be part of Team Hull for many years. Their cartridges have brought me a lot of success.
Do you shoot game and do you change the way you shoot or the basic technique you use?
I shoot game when I can. I work on a gamer-earing farm, so it’s great to see how much work goes into just one bird. Because I don’t shoot much game, I don’t try to change my technique too much. I see it and shoot it.
What ‘bogey’ targets do you have?
I try not to have any targets I fear as you just foster self-doubt. I always go into a stand with a positive attitude and a plan of how I will tackle the targets.
What techniques do you mainly use and do you apply different techniques to different types of targets?
I use a combination of maintained lead and pull away, depending on the target.
How do you practice and how much practice you try to do?
I try to practice as much as I can, especially when I have many competitions coming up. Usually I might be shooting 500-plus clays a week. It just depends how much I can get out. I try to do Churchill’s evening shoots, where you shoot 100 Sportrap targets. And I get up to AC Sporting Targets in the week when I can and shoot as much as I feel and need. I also have the chance to do some self-evaluation and see what needs improving. AC Sporting Targets has many layouts, so you can definitely find something that you aren’t confident on.
What and who in your coaching and tuition has been helpful?
When I was 12, Cheryl Hall took me on as her sponsored shooter. This is when I first started shooting abroad and eventually gained my first GB cap. She has played a massive part in my shooting career and I’m forever grateful to her. Ed Solomons now teaches me and I highly recommend his service. Whenever I come away from a lesson I feel more confident with my shooting and in myself. Just before leaving for the World Championships in Hungary 2019 I wasn’t feeling confident with how I was performing and had no self-belief. The day before flying out I arranged a lesson with Ed and he changed my stock to a new set up I was happier with. I shot 250 targets and was feeling super confident. I returned from Hungary with a gold medal and a world championship under my belt.
What three things do you wish you had known when you started?
Dad is always right. Practice really does make perfect. Never be afraid of what people are thinking. It was a privilege to talk to such a sharp shooter at the top of her game. It shone a light on some of the areas that those of us who aspire to greater heights are curious about. If I could draw a conclusion from talking to Amy it might be – leave your chokes and your cartridges as they are and go shooting. A lot.