Wilson Capron

This year not only marks the 25th anniversary TCAA exhibition, but also Capron’s 25th year in business. With the Grape Bit, he looks back to where he came from and forward to where he wants to go.

Giving a nod to his mentor, TCAA Emeritus member Greg Darnall, this bit employs Darnall Loomis shanks, while the mouthpiece, despite utilizing characteristics of the San Joaquin and cathedral mouthpieces, is a creation of forging that Capron is not sure has a specific name.

Capron decorated the Grape Bit using one of the most difficult, time-consuming techniques in engraving — high-relief sculpting — in honor of Damien Connolly, Sam Alfano and Alain Lovenberg, all of whom have influenced Capron’s style. In addition to sculpted grape leaves, the bit also boasts 24k gold grapes and a fine silver inlaid background, the perfect motif, Capron said, to share his journey and future plans.

Recently, Capron has become interested in portrait engraving, which led him to incorporate into his work some drawings from his father, artist Mike Capron. The horse head seen on these spurs comes from a Mike Capron painting that is one of Wilson Capron’s favorites. 

Capron used inlaid 14k red gold and fine silver for his interpretation of the painting. Having grown up close to the Mexican border, Capron says that the chihuahua spur has always been a favorite of his. He twisted the design by dropping the rowel pin to make it more of a drop shank, where most are straight, which added a fun twist to an old tradition, he said.

With the reining cow horse discipline one of the fastest growing facets of the horse industry, Capron created this bit to fit a horse and rider in that arena. He chose the Santa Barbara-style bit because it is fun to make, he said, and it presents a canvas with endless possibilities for decorating. This bit features sterling silver inlays and 24k gold flower centers.

Though hoof picks come in many different forms and sizes, it is a valuable tool for a horse owner to have. Keeping a horse’s feet clean in wet environments is critical to prevent fungus and decay.  Capron forged this hoof pick into shape, then decorated it with fine silver inlays and beads. The TCAA logo is also inlaid in fine silver on the end.

With these spurs, Capron chose to begin with a commonly seen style and then, utilizing high-relief engraving, elevate them to a place of their own. He then inlaid 24k gold in the background of the sculpted leaves, further setting them apart. “The West loves elegance, too, and I think it fits,” Capron said. “It doesn’t matter whether you drive a luxury car or ride a good-looking horse, most people enjoy and appreciate quality. My goal is to bring that to our Western culture.”