Cowboy Arts & Gear

Bit, Spur and Romal Rawhide Contest

Article and photos submitted by Jan Petersen

January 2024 is going to be a busy month at the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum! After a great Christmas season, the museum is “Gearing Up” for the Sixth Annual Bit, Spur and Romal Rawhide Contests. Actual bidding take place on line January 31, February 1 and 2, concluding at 8 p.m. at a reception on February 2. Bidders must preregister through the website cowboyartsandgearmuseum.org. Contest items as well as a mecete crafted by Larry Schutte and a beautiful engraved clock made by Rodney Mike will be available for online preview the last week in January on the website as well as in person at the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum. The Gear will be on display mid-January through the end of February, 2024.

This the sixth year for the Bit Contest and is limited to 20 entries for bits and 15 for spurs. Makers purchase two raw cheek pieces or spur bands – all are identical, numbered and dated. This year’s cheek and spur pieces are from G.S. Garcia’s 1924 catalogue. All the slots were filled this year by September 1. The artist can inlay, overlay and/or engrave the steel itself into a finished piece. In the past, there were competitors from Missouri to Texas, Nevada, California and throughout the intermountain West. Their ages ranged from the 20s to the 80s. The reins will be the same length and have a required number of buttons.

In early December, the new gear pieces are returned to the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum and are judged by accomplished horsemen and rawhide braiders. Two categories are on judged on workmanship, balance and finish. Two other categories are judged on artistry and presentation. Cash prizes are awarded to the top four places for the bits, spurs and romal reins. Finally, the gear pieces are sold with the makers receiving the majority of the sale money and the Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum receiving a portion. Past sponsors of the event include J.M. Capriola Co., Elko Convention & Visitors Authority, Dave Alderson Silversmith, Gallagher Livestock, Nicole Poyo Photography, and Rio Grande Jewelry Supply.

A reception honoring the makers and welcoming the bidders and public will be held on Friday, February 2 from 6-8 p.m. as the bidding closes. Everyone is welcome to come and bid in person or on a computer at the museum.

Also during the 2024 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is former Elko County resident, Gina Teichert. She grew up in Elko County, attending rural school in Mount Valley and graduated from Spring Creek High School. The artist will be demonstrating her artwork and painting on site during the Gathering. Several pieces will also be for sale.

The Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum is located in G.S. Garcia’s Saddle and Harness Shop, 542 Commercial Street in historic downtown Elko. The building was recently nominated to the Nevada State Register of Historic Places. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5. Closed Sunday and Monday. The phone number is
775-389-1713.