To All Bootmakers:
Gary Cunningham has stepped down as the boot contest coordinator and I have been asked to take over that role. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gary for all his years of hard work. He has done a great job in growing the contest and I hope to build upon what he and the board have accomplished.
With the change in coordinator, comes the opportunity to make changes in the contest overall. I have asked for, and received, many comments and suggestions. Taking all of your input into consideration, I am excited to provide you with the new guidelines for the boot exhibition. I’m looking forward to my role as coordinator and to having the opportunity to meet and work with each of you.
See you at the Round-Up!
Mike Vaughn
mvaughnboots@aol.com
940-872-6935 or 940-867-2173
Basic Boot Rules:
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Boots must be checked in at the table NO LATER THAN 1:00pm FRIDAY to be entered into the contest.
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Each contestant is limited to one entry per category.
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Boots cannot have been previously entered in any boot competition.
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All boots will be entered as a PAIR, not a single boot.
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All categories will be judged anonymously by bootmakers who have been in the business for years and whose work is considered master quality. To eliminate any “conflict of interest”, no judge will have a boot or a student whose boot is entered in the contest.
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Buckles will be awarded to the winner of each category (minimum of 3 entries required for award to be presented). Plaques will be awarded for 2nd place in Top Stitching, Working Cowboy, Dress and Artistry only.
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An “Exhibition Only” table will be available for boots and bootmaker products to be displayed.
Boot Categories:
• Journeyman – Constructed 15 or less pair of boots
Basic boot with top stitching only - no tooling, inlays, collars, brands, etc. Journeyman should concentrate on the basics of building a good boot. Note: If you enter the contest as a Journeyman, you can only enter this category
• Top Stitching
Boot top will have stitching only – minimum 3 rows of stitching. No inlays, collars, brands, etc.
• Working Cowboy Boot
Built of sturdy leather (bull hide, pig elephant, water buffalo, wildebeest, waxed calf, shark, hippo or taurus shoulder). May include initials, brand and/or a collar only. Collar can have cutouts or inlays. No more than 3 colors of leather on top, including the top leather.
• Dress Boot
Boot should be simple and elegant, i.e. something that could be worn for dress with a suit or pair of slacks. May include initials, brand, collar and/or tooling only.
• Artistry Boot
Anything goes in this category – any leather, any design detail, etc. Let your imagination go!
You can enter any of the above categories (other than Journeyman) that you have not previously won. Once you have won a category, you will no longer be allowed to enter into that category.
The Professional’s Choice award will be chosen from the above categories.
• Masters Boot
Anyone who has won each class (excluding Journeyman), will only be allowed to enter the Masters Category. The guidelines for Masters will change from year to year, allowing judges to compare boots within the same genre, comparing quality and workmanship. Guidelines for 2013 will be made available at the 2012 show.
2012 - Boot Must Be As Follows:
Made of calf skin (any color); have a 14” top with 4-6 rows of stitching; have bug & wrinkle/toe flower; have white (NOT INKED) sole stitches. No tooling, inlays, collars, brands, etc.
Saddle Maker Categories & Contest Rules:
The saddle coordinator for the saddle contest is Jim Taylor. He can be reached at 817.625.2391
Beginners—This is for people’s first saddle which must have been started after last year’s Roundup.
Open Floral—Saddles entered in this category will be full or partial floral or oak leaf tooled. Geometrics (baskets, running w. waffle, etc.) may be incorporated. Prizes will be awarded for Best
Workmanship and Best Tooling.
Open Plain or Geometric—Saddles entered in this category will be full or partial smooth out, rough out, or geometric stamped (basket, running w, waffle, etc.). Saddles with tooled floral, tooled oak, or decorative knife cuts must compete in the Open Floral Category. Prizes will be awarded for Best Workmanship and Best Tooling.
Novice—This category was created to encourage less experienced saddle makers to show their work and compete on their own skill level. All saddles are eligible if the saddle maker has five years or less leather working experience, not by the number of saddles you’ve made. This is a true novice class. Prizes will be awarded for Best Novice.
Best of Show—The saddle judged Best of Show may come from any of the above categories.
