The Gold Coast shooter marks her 50th birthday on the first day of competition at the world sporting clay target shooting championships.

She hopes her half century will translate to a golden figure on the scoreboard at Laang.

Competitors must shoot 50 targets a day.

"Hopefully I can get the 50," Rider said.

The 2009 championships are Rider's fifth time competing in the global event.

Yesterday she took in the surroundings of the Laang course with fellow competitor Olivia Taylor, of Brisbane.

Taylor picked up a shotgun 12 months ago and is competing in her first world championships.

A total of 48 women will compete in the event.

Practice started yesterday and continues today and tomorrow.