MADE IN WYOMING: Tom Balding Bits & Spurs

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We are thrilled to team with the Wyoming Business Council to feature a Wyoming First business every week on our blog! Wyoming First is a program that promotes Wyoming member businesses. Visit their website (click here) to learn more about this service — and if you are a Wyoming business who’s not a member, be sure to inquire about membership! There are many benefits!

This week we are featuring Tom Balding Bits & Spurs of Sheridan, WY

Tom Balding, Tom Balding Bits and Spurs  655 Riverside  Sheridan, WY 82801  307-672-8459  sales@tombalding.com   www.tombalding.com

After leaving the fast-paced life in California, Tom Balding moved to Sheridan, Wyoming.  Being an avid outdoorsman he was drawn to the area after a visit to Sheridan.  Tom admired the breathtaking scenery and limitless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.  He takes pleasure in supporting his community and his days are full running the business, spending time with family and being involved in the community; however, he also takes time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors that captured him in the beginning.

Tom has always been drawn to working with metal. In 1984, a neighbor asked Tom to repair a broken bit — and that began his journey to Tom Balding Bits and Spurs.   The business began with Tom putting together scrap sailboat parts to create the first bit design.  He quickly learned through trial and error what was required of the bits in order to perform at the level his clients required.  Tom decided to pursue bit and spur crafting full time and the process was refined into the high quality craftsmanship that Tom Balding Bits and Spurs is known for today.

For 15 years Tom ran the company as a one man operation.  In 1998, a multiple winner of American Quarter Horse Association World Championships began using Tom’s bits.  Word got around the western horse circuit; Tom sold his house and built his shop and began hiring his team, which he calls a small family.

Tom works closely with professional riders during the development of new products to make certain of their performance, and feedback is considered for the final designs.  It can take up to a year before the final product is offered to the general public.

Almost all bits and spur orders are custom orders.  They have a list of parts, finishes, and extras for their bits and spurs and people choose exactly what they want.  People can order products via the website (www.tombalding.com), phone (307-672-8459), or email (sales@tombalding.com).  The base price on bits is $125 and on spurs $240. They can become as elaborate, and in turn more expensive, as the customer desires.

Along with the famous Tom Balding Bits and Spurs, customers can find belt buckles, bracelets, earrings, scarf slides, key rings and money clips on the web site and at the store.  Tom and his team pay just as much attention to detail for these items that they do with the bits and spurs.

They were recently featured on three segments of Discovery Channels “How It’s Made” —  one segment on spurs, the second on bits, and the third on belt buckles. Their reputation and customer base is worldwide.

Tom Balding Bits & Spurs offers tours Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm MST, which includes a walk through of each product’s process.

SHOP WYOMING: Outlaw Rodeo Wear

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Looking for a great gift for the western & rodeo fan in your life? Check out Outlaw Rodeo Wear of Ten Sleep, WY! They have all sorts of great gear for men & women… Many samples follow, and be sure to visit their website as well as on Facebook, or give them a call at 307-760-2902 or 307-683-6052!

 

 

 

MISS RODEO WYOMING 2012 CROWNED!

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Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011, Brittany Richards, awards Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2012, Kimberly Kuhn

MISS RODEO WYOMING 2012 PAGEANT RESULTS

Kimberly Kuhn, Miss Sheridan-WYO of Laramie, took home the honors of Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2012.  The Miss Rodeo Wyoming pageant was held in Douglas, WY August 16-20, 2011 during the Wyoming State Fair.  There were 4 young women vying for the title of Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2012 from across the sate.  Contestants included Desiree Bridges, Miss Teton County Fair and Rodeo from Jackson; Holly Kennedy, Miss Laramie Jubilee from Laramie; and Bailie Allshouse, Miss Cody Stampede of Cody. The contestants were judged by a panel of three highly qualified judges including Kent Sturman of Thornton, CO; Johna Niedfelt of Grand Island, NE; and Judy Rogers from Scottsbluff, NE.

Brittany Richards, Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011, was on hand for the awards ceremony.  The Wyoming State Fair Director, James Goodrich, and Wyoming Director of Ag, Jason Fearneyhough, presented the saddle to Kimberly.  Kimberly took home the categories of personality and appearance.  She also won the sales achievement award, knowledge award, photogenic award, and the speech award.

The first runner-up went to Holly Kennedy, Miss Laramie Jubilee of Laramie.  Holly won the horsemanship category and the most ads sold at Wyoming State Fair award.  The second runner-up went to Desiree Bridges, Miss Teton County Fair & Rodeo of Jackson.

Bailie Allshouse, Miss Cody Stampede from Cody won the awards of congeniality and scrapbook.

Kimberly Kuhn is the daughter of Pete and Vickie and calls Laramie home.  A fifth generation ranch owner in Johnson and Sheridan counties and the Big Horn Mountains, Kimberly has been blessed to be raised a Wyoming cowgirl.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in Agriculture Business with a minor in finance.  She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, SPURS Honorary, Ag Ambassadors, UW Rodeo Team and was a recipient of the National Western Stock Show Scholarship.  Kim is a member of Wyoming Rodeo Association, Mile-Hi Barrel Racing Association, Cowgirls of the West, and Big Horn Basque Club.  She was honored to serve Cheyenne Frontier Days as Miss Frontier 2009, and was a leader of the CFD Dandies.

Kim has earned her Gold Congressional Award and was commencement speaker at her high school graduation.  She worked as a Student Page for the 59th Legislative Session and earned the Y.E.S. Award.  Kimberly held many leadership positions in FFA, DECA and was a Varsity member of the Golf and Dance teams.  She was also awarded the FFA Area Star in Agricultural Placement Award.  She enjoys breakaway roping, running barrels, singing, golfing and spending time with her family.

Kimberly will be planning a fall coronation fundraiser in Sheridan.  Learn more about the Miss Rodeo Wyoming program, which holds its annual pageant during the annual Wyoming State Fair in August in Douglas:  http://www.missrodeowyoming.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES: Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore, our new bookstore publication for fall 2011 — subscribe to the digital version!  www.wyovore.com

Wyoming Weddings:  www.wyoweddings.com