Originally the sport of the aristocracy, clay pigeon shooting started with live pigeon trap shooting. The traps were containers from which the bird could be released, the first traps reportedly being top hats under which the bird would be placed. A string was attached to the top hat and on the command of ‘pull’ the hat would be pulled off and the bird released. The first pigeon shooting club was founded in the early 19th century, meeting around north London, and call The Old Hats!
As a result of public sensibility, in the 1875 glass balls filled with feathers were introduced to replace live pigeons and by 1921, clay discs had replaced the glass balls.
In 1927 there was enough interest to hold a British Open Championship and Clay pigeon shooting became a permanent feature of the Olympic Games in 1952.
Clay pigeon shooting is one of the UK & Ireland’s fastest growing sports with people joining clubs or booking for a fun day out or corporate event.