Two members of the VI Field Archery Federation, Xavier Buxo and Ritseeniyah Georges Buxo, recently represented the Virgin Islands on the international archery stage at the 2026 ATA Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, while also competing in the NFAA Rushmore Rumble tournament, from January 9 – 11, 2026.
Buxo and Georges both competed in the Open Compound Flights division at the Rushmore Rumble, an event that attracts archers from across the global archery industry. Each athlete entered the competition with different objectives—Georges aiming to place and earn prize money, and Buxo focused on testing new equipment in a competitive environment.
While Georges fell short of her usual 9.1 average on the first day, she remained competitive and secured 4th place in her flight level. On the final day of shooting, Georges rebounded with a strong performance, posting a 9.03 average on day 2, which allowed her to move up to 3rd place. She ultimately secured prize money and finished the event with an overall average of 8.92, a testament to her consistency and determination under pressure.
Buxo successfully achieved his primary goal of putting his new equipment to the test. He posted an average score of 8.4, marking his best performance since he began competing two years ago. With two major competitions on the horizon—the 2026 Vegas Shoot and the VI Field Archery Outdoor Championships—the Rushmore Rumble served as an excellent and timely practice event for continued development.
Prior to the competition, both archers attended the ATA Show in their role as dealers, with a focus on expanding access to high-quality archery equipment in the Virgin Islands. Their objectives included securing additional dealer accounts, reviewing new product releases and innovations for 2026, and forming partnerships with companies interested in supporting the growth of the VI Field Archery Federation.
This year’s ATA Show—widely regarded as the archery industry’s largest annual event—featured the ATA Trade Show, the Archery & Bowhunting Supershow, and the Rushmore Rumble, offering a unique blend of business, innovation, and fun competition.
The trip was partially sponsored by Shoot Tru Archery Supply, with the remainder funded through personal contributions, highlighting both athletes’ commitment to advancing their competitive goals while strengthening opportunities for archers in the Virgin Islands.
Through their participation, Buxo and Georges not only represented the VI on the shooting line but also worked behind the scenes to help ensure that local archers continue to benefit from top-tier equipment, industry relationships, and international exposure.