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2018 HORSE OF THE YEAR BIT SPONSOR
STORY BY : DIANA VOLK
This year at the “ Championship of Champions ” teams will choose a horse of the year in relay and youth relay . Leading bit maker Tom Balding , from Tom Balding Bits and Spurs , leads us through the steps of the snaffle bits being made and they will be displayed at various places throughout the year .
Balding is self-taught . He began welding custom hot rod engine parts , for Hooker , the day he graduated from high school . He started his own company , mastering difficult welding techniques and working with many different materials . For almost ten years , he made sailboat equipment for Hobie and certi fied aircraft welder for the US Government in California .
Exploring the west , Balding decided he wanted to make the move to Wyoming where he did odd jobs and ranch work . Tom says , “ one day in 1984 , a woman asked me to weld a broken bit . That task changed my life ” From that moment on , Balding knew he would design and fabricate bits and spurs .
If you stop by Tom Balding Bits & Spurs you are likely able to meet Tom and have one of his staff give you a tour through the workshop where you can see the bits being made . Balding continues to make all his bits and spurs from scratch . His business may have expanded to thousands of orders , but he maintains quality control and treats his small staff like family .