Our history begins in 1997 when I met the famous South American Vaquero, Jose Antonio "PePe" Dapelo Vargas. At the early age of 13, PePe' was considered by many to be a child prodigy with the horse. He spent much of his youth on horseback checking the families fighting bull herd and their many plantations where they grew cotton and corn. As an adult he was called on many times by his country to demonstrate his horsemanship skills in front of kings, dignitaries and presidents. Shortly after his death in 2000, his peers dedicated the primary horse facilities in Peru to his name.

"Pepe's" Father

"Pepe" Reigning With a Ribbon

For seventy years, many of the finest braiders in South America called on the Dapelo's haciendas and villas to sell their braided rawhide tack. The Dapelo's were known as conoseurs of the functional braided artwork that adorned their horses. Only the best would dare travel to the Dapelos to sell their wares.

On my first visit to the Dapelo home, I was introduced to many of these fine braiders as they called on "PePe" to sell their tack. As a life long horse enthusiast, I had always been amazed by the braided rawhide vaquero tack. Although considered a dying artform here in America, it was not the case at the Dapelo home. Many of the braiders I met there were from families that had been braiding for generations. They did not braid to preserve this time old tradition, but to survive.

"Pepe's" Hands

Famous Vaqueros

After developing a friendship with PePe's two sons, Marco and Lucho, I began an annual visit to their home in South America. With pride, Pepe would show me his braided rawhide tack collection and his fighting bulls. I began to bring back braided rawhide romals, bosals and headstalls to show and sell here in America. What began as a hobby became a business. We are now one of the major makers of quality braided rawhide tack. From high profile trainers and competiors to buckeroos and cowboys, our braiding can be found all over the horse world. Were found in Canada, North America,South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and many others including Southern Spain where the vaquero tradition began.

The Family Tradition