Joe Engelhart Joe Engelhart has made and braided rawhide for the better part of 25 years including bosals, romal reins, quirts, hondas , and reatas. He was encouraged by several people he knew to enter the contest with his first entry this year.
Jon Mendiola Jon Mendiola, a native Idahoan, was raised in a ranching family. His parents, who migrated from the Basque Country of Spain in pursuit of employment opportunities, built a life working on a cow-calf operation, where they raised their family before retiring. Jon worked alongside his father on the ranch, cultivating a deep appreciation … Read more
Jared Martin I am new to rawhide braiding and have been braiding for about two years now. I am married and have three children. I’m originally from Evanston, Wyoming, and have lived there for 40 years.
Joseph Stanek Joseph Stanek grew up in the Bitterroot Valley forty miles south of Missoula, Montana, on a small family ranch, working with horses and cows. In his father’s library, he would spend time reading leather repair and rawhide making books. “I liked looking at the pictures, figuring out how thing worked, and got put … Read more
Dakota May Dakota May was born and raised in Nevada and was always fascinated with the artistry and functionality of handmade 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 … Read more
Thayne Oian My name is Thayne Oian, and I am a rawhide braider originally from North Dakota. I enjoy keeping cowboy traditions alive with my rawhide gear. Residing outside of Elko, Nevada, for the last couple years, I currently work on a ranch while braiding and doing leather work on the side. Through advice from … Read more
Mike Skinner Living in Boise, Idaho, Mike focuses on braiding rawhide gear for the cowboy community. Mike’s interest in handcrafted cowboy gear began early in life, and he got his braiding start through the State of Washington’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship program. The goal with each piece of gear is to improve functionality and add refinements, … Read more
Levi Miller Levi Miller is a fifth generation rancher who, in his rare moments of spare time, enjoys braiding rawhide akin to the type of gear he grew up using. He began his braiding career as a teen with initial guidance from his father Gary Miller. From that point, he expanded his knowledge by spending … Read more
Justine Nelson-Graham Justine Nelson-Graham is a rawhide braider, leather worker and saddle maker who was born in the Magic Valley of Southern Idaho. Raised around horses and other livestock, Justine has always been fascinated by the western way of life; particularly the tack and equipment that are unique to its heritage. From childhood she sought … Read more
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 … Read more