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As far back as I can remember I’ve hoped to make bits to the level of quality that I learned from some of my childhood influences. As a kid, I bought a few silver bits and remember finding the style on some of these mouthpieces troubling. These I set aside thinking that someday I would be building mouthpieces in the style of the early vaqueros. The “old way” that these men lived has been the greatest influence on the work I do today.
I was born and raised on the ranch my Portuguese great grandfather purchased in 1913 and I still live on this same piece of land. I come from a long line of farmers, dairymen, cattle ranchers, and blacksmiths and have been told that my grandfather was one of the best teamsters in the country. By the time I was born the teams were long gone and I grew up riding saddle horses with work horse blood still in their breeding.
Growing up, my favorite part of being at a branding was watching Joey drive up and unload his finely groomed horses on my families’ ranch. I remember admiring the silver head stalls, silver bits, nice rawhide reins and Visalia slick fork saddles on the horses’ backs. One horse I remember specifically, Cojo, was one of Joey’s finest horses and probably the first, and still one of the best, bridle horses I have ever seen. I recall a scene from one of Joey’s brandings when he handed me the reins of Cojo after most of the important work had been done and said, “help them move the cattle.” I still remember this as one of the most exciting moments in my life.
My childhood was spent keeping up with my Grandfather and Father on the ranch. They were both great influences on my life. The Vaqueros from surrounding Ranchos and Land Grants were the greatest influences on my father’s cousin Joey Cabral. These three men greatly influenced my life.
As an adult, I have been fortunate enough to benefit from the influence of another man I respect, the master bit and spur maker Chuck Irwin. I like to think I have a little bit in common with Chuck as he is a local, cowboy, cattleman, farmer, farrier and bit maker here in the Santa Ynez Valley. Chuck has been very gracious in taking the time to show me how he builds his bits and spurs and helped me learn. I still spend time with him, studying and honing my craft.
While working for the Jalama Ranch, part of my job was riding colts; this worked out well for me because just down the road was Joey. I would visit him, tell him how my young colts were coming along and ask him for advice. He would always offer a suggestion that almost always solved my problem.
I am grateful for the opportunity to make bits and silver pieces in the style of the men I admire and have known throughout my life. I could not ask for a better life.
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