2025 Rawhide Bosal Entries
***Product Photos Coming Soon!***
All product photos by Nicole Poyo Photography

#1 Albert Zwahlen
I got my start braiding about 18 years ago when one of my good friends showed me how to braid eight strands of parachute cord into a set of reins. I knew then I wanted to keep making things braiding. Knowing I wanted to make these things, I wanted to make them better and more traditional. I saw a feed store hackamore and thought I could make that. My first few projects were a bit on the rough side, but I was hooked. I sought out anyone at a roping with anything braided and wanted to look at it so I could figure out how they made it. I met one of my good mentors at a roping by asking about his reins. I sought out classes or gatherings from then til now. I was told once to learn at least one new thing every day. Getting to travel and meet new people because of this craft has made that fairly easy. I enjoy the friendships and mentors that have come with this journey, and I hope to share what I can with whoever might be interested.

#2 Jared Martin
I have been braiding for four years. I live in Bear River Wyoming with my wife and three amazing children. I enjoy braiding and look forward to learning more about it.

#3 Dan Ames
A native of Utah, Dan Ames began his braiding and leatherwork career in 1971. As a rodeo contestant, he learned to braid bull ropes to supplement his earnings. In 1973, one of his customers convinced him to apprentice in his saddle shop and build ropes on the side. Rawhide had always been a mysterious creature, and after many attempts to master even the smallest project, it was put to the side with only the occasional dabble.
In 2014, with the help of longtime friend and cohort Kelly Wahlen, he went back trying to master the craft. A class with Doug Groves in Elko lit the fire. Continuing with tutelage from braiders such as Kelly, Doug, Jack Armstrong, Bret Haskett, and Graeme Quisenberry, along with attending several Rawhide Gatherings, his journey continues. In 2018 he was awarded 2nd Place People’s Choice award at the Gear Show at Elko’s Poetry Gathering for his rawhide martingale.
Dan recently retired as a Wildland Fire Manager for the State of Utah and spends four months of the year guiding big game hunters from all over the world in the fall. Braiding gear now takes up most of his time, and he continues to build some leather items such as saddles, boots, and various other custom goods.

#4 Joseph Stanek
Joseph grew up in the Bitterroot valley of western Montana. He still resides near there to this day. Wanting good gear, but knowing it was expensive, he decided to learn one of the crafts associated with cowboy arts. A friend suggested rawhide braiding and with a lot of trial and error, down the rabbit hole he went. “I thought I could make some good stuff and trade for other things I didn’t have.” Always looking for ways to improve, he strives toward the artistic rather than production. When he can, Joseph tries to attend workshops and rawhide gatherings. He says, “It might seem intimidating, but it really helps to rub shoulders with those more advanced than myself. I really look up to those guys and gals and once you attend a gathering, you’ll find that everyone is more than happy to help.”

#5 Dakota May
Dakota May was born and raised in Nevada, and was always fascinated with the artistry and functionality of hand made gear. Fortunate to have Spider Teller as a mentor in his formative years he learned the old traditions that have been used for generations. Having worked on ranches in California, Nevada, and Idaho; Dakota applies the knowledge and techniques he has learned in his travels to each unique piece of gear he builds.

#6 Kelly Wahlen
Kelly Wahlen was born in Clearfield, Utah in 1957 and grew up on his father’s ranch in Clinton, where he began riding racehorses at age eight. He won his first race at 12 and became leading jockey at Box Elder County by age 13-14.
In high school, Kelly dominated rodeo competition, winning the 1975 State Championship in bareback riding and All-Around, plus the National High School Bull Riding Championship. He continued competing for Weber State College on scholarship, becoming the 1977 Rocky Mountain Region All-Around Champion and 1978 Bull Riding Champion.
Kelly joined the PRCA in 1976 and competed professionally for eight years, winning the Wilderness Circuit Bull Riding Championship three times (1977, 1978, 1980) and the All-Around buckle at Phoenix Rodeo of Rodeos in 1981.
After retiring from rodeo, he returned to horse racing and was named Rider of the Year at Wyoming Downs in 2000, competing across seven western states and Texas before retiring as a jockey in 2005.
Kelly now lives in Clinton on the same land where he learned to ride, continuing to compete in team roping and qualifying for the World Series four times. He’s also a skilled craftsman, creating rawhide braiding, horsehair hitching, and buckaroo gear that’s exhibited at prestigious shows and sought after by collectors and working cowboys.

#7 Joel Otley
Joel Otley is a fifth-generation rancher currently residing near the Oregon/Nevada border. Joel began his braiding career while studying at Eastern Oregon University. His initial interest in braiding was to build useable tack for himself and close friends and family. After graduating from college, he began his career cowboying for several operation throughout Oregon. He is now working toward building his own cow herd. Joel continues to braid in his spare time and continues to challenge himself to learn new techniques and patterns.

#8 Edward Waldner
Hi, I’m Edward Waldner. I grew up on a family ranch in Alberta and still live on the ranch with my wife and two kids. I have been around horses all my life, which is why I decided I needed some gear. If someone else can make it, I figured I could as well. I enjoy bettering my craft and growing as a maker.