Jay Adcock

For this unique bridle set, Adcock braided the 12-strand reins and 16-strand romal — which are decorated with more than 170 natural colored calf rawhide knots — using burgundy dyed cow rawhide. The single ear headstall was inspired by the work of TCAA rawhide braider Leland Hensley and carries a sterling overlaid Fresno pattern bit with a half breed mouthpiece crafted by TCAA emeritus bit & spur maker Ernie Marsh. Marsh also constructed the sterling silver inlaid buckles for the fore top and curb strap adjustments, while TCAA emeritus saddlemaker Chuck Stormes fashioned the carved leather popper.

The Santa Ynez rein is named for the Santa Ynez Mission in central California. These were the finest of reins for the early-day vaqueros to put on their finest bridle horse for fiestas or parades.

These Santa Ynez style reins were crafted using 24 dyed rawhide strings divided into three separate eight strand braids. One of the eight strand braids serves as the core for a sixteen strand braid at the top and the bottom of the rein. The reins are adorned with 119 natural colored buttons that were tied using calf rawhide and finished off with a Pedro Pedrini popper.

Adcock was inspired to build this hackamore by the many Charlie Russell “bucking horse” paintings he has studied — most of which picture broncs with double bodied bosals (hackamores) on their heads. This rawhide hackamore consists of two separate 16-strand braids of natural colored cow rawhide with buttons consisting of the same rawhide only more finely cut and interwoven with fine red and brown dyed rawhide. The outfit is finished with a fiador (throat latch) and mecate (reins) made from top-quality mane hair.

“This little outfit,” Adcock said, “is made exactly like I make the full grown ones.” The hackamore is crafted with 12 dyed cow rawhide strings braided over a twisted rawhide core. The nose button, heel knot and side buttons are natural calf rawhide. The six-strand mecate (rein) is twisted using the finest mane hair.

The quirt consists of 12 dyed cow rawhide strings braided over a twisted and tapered rawhide core. The natural-colored buttons are crafted using calf rawhide.