Some of New Zealand's best shooters will be among the 80 competitors at the Otago clay target championships at Waldronville this weekend.
The event has extra significance because qualifying points are at stake for shooters wanting to make the New Zealand team for the world championships in Hamilton in March next year.
The field is not yet known because entries will be taken on the day, but there will be expertise because New Zealand shooters rank with the best in the world.
Natalie Rooney (Timaru) was the world women's champion when the last championship was held in Wales in 2012.
Rooney was joined by Wendy Hughan (South Otago) and Cheryl Anglem (Amberley) in the winning New Zealand women's team.
The world championships were held in Christchurch when the event was last held in New Zealand in 2002.
Clay target shooting consists of two parts - skeet and trap shooting. Trap shooting consists of a number of special disciplines.
Competitors can have just one shot at a target or a number of shots. Two targets are occasionally released in front of the shooter to test quick reactions.
''This weekend's championships will be a dress rehearsal for the South Island championships that will be held in Dunedin in October next year,'' Dunedin Clay Shooting Club president Tim Cleminson said.
''It is held every four years and we expect around 140 competitors. It will be big for us.''
The annual Otago championships rotate annually between Dunedin, Alexandra and Wanaka.