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  Jim Dunlap Bit #4

  Jim is a 6^th generation rancher from Williams California. A former saddle bronc rider and now a father and grandfather.  He started building bits and spurs in high school but took it seriously about 15 year ago when his wife Julie bought him a set of videos from Jeremiah Watt.  He has always wanted nice gear and couldn’t afford the really nice stuff, so he decided that learning to build gear would be the way to get the bridles he always wanted for his horses.  After 15 years and many bits later he still doesn’t have one built for himself.  Although he has several he has rebuilt from old bits that he loves and use all the time.

  Jim has been to a class taught by Ernie Marsh and John Enis that really improved his silver work.   He also thinks he is very fortunate to have the internet and so many people who are willing to share their knowledge to help makers like him to improve their craft.  Jim feels very fortunate to be able to participate in a contest like this and the opportunity to work  next to people that he has admired for years.  This bit contest has been an excellent opportunity to push himself to excell in his craft.

  This years bit was fun to create and build especially since it is a cheek he has used a lot.   He attributes his design to the Elko Star bit with a little different twist.  The crescent moon and star harkens back to the Moorish influence on Spanish culture and the Las Cruces to the Christians.   He thought the combination of the two made an interesting statement.

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  Justin Massar Bit #12

  Justin Massar is a full time bit maker for Tom Balding Bits and Spurs in Sheridan Wyoming.  Justin has worked for Tom Balding for over 20 years.

  Educated by GRS engraving programs in Emporia Kansas, Justin has trained in western style engraving.  Justin works part time out of his shop at home building custom projects like buckles, bracelets, conchos, pendants and other western type products.

  This years bit that is entered is the very first custom bit built entirely out of his own silversmithing shop.

   

  Sweet Iron mild spade with a solid copper roller and hood.

  Shank overlays are solid Sterling Silver on hammered blue steel.

  Conchos are solid Sterling Silver.

  Skull figures are 14k Gold fill with genuine gem cut Ruby eyes.

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  Dennis Domingos Bit #3

  Dennis grew up in the Santa Ynez valley.  San Luis Obispo is to the North, Ventura to the South and Santa Barbara is in the middle.  This is the home to many Vaqueros and Californios, deeply rooted in the Spanish style traditions.  Many bit makers have come from this area in California such as G.S. Garcia, Mardueno and Juan Flores.  Dennis is proud to be from a valley where such amazing artists have produced traditional Vaquero pieces that are now highly sought after.

  Dennis, a cowboy by trade, modified his first bit while cowboying in 1975.  Dennis spent a few decades working on his now trade and perfected his passion when he worked exclusively with Chuck Erwin in 2009.  Chuck spent many years teaching and grooming Dennis to become the maker he is today.

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  Connor Garwood Bit #6

  Connor Garwood has spent most of his life cowboying on ranches—from the Sandhills of his native Nebraska to the sagebrush sea of northern Nevada to the Arizona brush country where he’s currently a colt starter and a cowboy on the O RO Ranch. When he’s not horseback, the 23-year-old craftsman is working on his next bit or pair of spurs.

  Connor became interested in making bits and spurs as a teenager after watching a Bruce Cheaney spur making video. He built his first pair of spurs with his grandpa when he was 16 years old after he’d lost one of his spurs while cowboying.  He built seven additional pairs over the next two years.

  He’s read about bit and spur maker Gary Wiggens in a magazine article, and, just before his 18^th birthday, he traveled to Brewster, Kansas, and spent three days in Wiggens’ shop. He returned five more times and built his first curb and snaffle bits and learned relief steel-engraving techniques.

  Though he’s learned from talented makers, some of his best teachers, however, are the horses he’s ridden and learning how they respond to different bits.

  Still early in his craftsmanship, Connor aspires to create bit and spurs that can be used by working cowboy.  He created the design for the Las Cruces bit he made for this year’s Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum contest while on the O RO’s fall wagon.  The bit features deep relief engraving on the cheekpieces and 3¼ -inch spoon, and a copper roller and braces.  It’s the second spade bit he’s made.

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