2026 Rawhide Romal Rein Entries
All photos by Nicole Poyo Photography
Jared Martin
I started braiding a short few years ago, surrounded by the best group of rawhide braiders who have turned into more like family. Each set of reins I make, I continue to grow and improve with my talent. I really get to enjoy braiding and having fun with my family by my side.
They are a 12 X 16 braided with over 3 under 3 button pattern. They are natural bodied rein and have cocoa brown interweave in the buttons, They are 42” in length.
Dan Ames
Twelve plait rein with a sixteen plait romel. They are natural color bodies, and the buttons have subtle brown interweave. the connector has a braided palm knot in lieu of a palm concho. 42 inches long.
Jon Mendiola
My reins are 12 plait reins and 16 plait romal made from a hide that the hair was removed using the scalding method. The long knots on the reins and romal are a checkered pattern with a red string for the interweave that was dyed with rit dye. The romal has a twisted rawhide core to give it the desired feel. The popper was crafted by Bill Zumstein.
Albert Zwahlen
This set is 12 strands in the reins and 16 strands in the Romel. With two different variations of the Bomba zurda foundation. I used both the herring bone and gaucho interweaves with a bit of natural rawhide for the contrast and interweaves.
Read more about Albert Zwahlen
Kaylissa Wells-Smith
These reins are 12×16 plated reins. With dark brown interweaves and contrast buttons. They are 42 inches long, which is generally rein chain length. They come with a handmade palm concho made by Riley Wells.
Justine Nelson-Graham
My goal for this set of romal reins was to combine beauty with functionality.
Every part of the work on this set was completed entirely by me. Starting with the fresh cowhides, which I picked up from the butcher and processed into rawhide.
The 12 strand body and 16 strand romal have subtle natural color variations that come from the black and white spotted hide that I used to braid them.
For the button pattern, I drew inspiration from one of Luis Ortega’s classic designs.
To preserve both the durability and functionality of the reins, I chose not to use ultra-fine button string. Instead, I worked with heavier string, which offers better abrasion resistance during real use. Dyed rawhide in two different shades was used for the decorative knots featured in the pattern.
The hand-tooled and dyed popper was also entirely created by me. On the inside of the popper, it is marked with the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum’s CA emblem; “2026 Gear Show & Sale.”
To complete the set with functionality in mind, I chose to use latigo leather rein/romal connectors, which are finished with matching rawhide knots.
Read more about Justine Nelson-Graham
Kelly Wahlen
These reins are 12 plait romel 16 plait all natural rawhide.
Photos coming soon!
Joseph Stanek
These reins are 12 plait romel 16 plait. Made with function in mind. Work hard, look good doing it.
Dakota May
We have a 12 plait rein and a 16 plait romal braided over rawhide cores with wine colored fleck in the body string and wine colored buttons. All the buttons on these reins are 8 bight Bomba Zurta knots, alternating between Herringbone and Guacho weave. Showcasing a nice variation in buttons. Featuring a silver palm tube and makers concho by Carlee Stutz and a hand carved popper by Jedidiah Rice.
Richard Foreman
12 strand reins. 16 strand romel. Made from jersey cow hide. Leather popper by Violet Wilson.
Edward Waldner
12 x 16 color combo body’s with unique shaped buttons and some red interweave, we also have a tooled popper and painted background with the connectors matching colors.
Nyk Feller
These are 12×16 bridle reins. Bodies are out of a nice yearling hide that had a lot of bruising, which is where the color comes from. For the buttons I used a calf hide that I beveled by hand with a pocket knife since the string was so fine. Overall, a simple set that is meant to be used.
Joel Otley
42” 12 plait reins with 16 plait romal. Natural colored body and button strings. Heavy harness leather popper.
Photos coming soon!
Complete Set with Romal Reins by Bret Haskett
Complete Set with Rawhide Romal Reins made and donated by Bret Haskett and his wife, Melanie. Made from a natural rawhide, the reins are an 8 plait rein by 12 plait romal with a custom knot pattern for balance.
These reins are donated with a headstall and bit made by John Wright. These reins are NOT auctioning off by themselves, only as part of the complete set up as pictured on the 2026 Auction page.