|
The Destination: South Texas Tack
Brenham, Texas | (979) 421-8800 | southtexastack.com
 
Set in beautiful Bluebonnet Country, South Texas Tack was the result of an overwhelming demand of horsemen's supply in South Central Texas. With the store's winning combination of quality, value, and selection, South Texas Tack is become known as "The Destination" for all a cowboy's horse-related needs.
South Texas Tack is known for its selection and hard-to-find sizes. Many items in the store are available only at South Texas Tack. Items available at the store include saddles, boots, custom boots, cowboy hats, belts, shirts, jeans, headstalls, bits, winter blankets, and much more.
The store's in high demand, too. For the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the store crafted an absolutely gorgeous, custom-made saddle! You can even go design your own saddle and tack if you contact the store.
Be sure to visit South Texas Tack in person. The inventory online is just a fraction of what you'll find in stores.
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Shop at South Texas Tack for all your tack and supplies needs. |
  
|
|
For the Love of Steel and Sterling Silver: Madole Spurs
Shawnee, Oklahoma | (405) 273-5410 | www.spurmakers.com
Bill and Sally Madole are hard-working family people. The pair has three children and two grandchildren, and they make their home in Shawnee, Oklahoma, which lies about half an hour east of Oklahoma City.
The Madoles both work full-time in their shop, home of Madole Spurs, making Texas-style spurs, belt buckles, and saddle hardware, using steel, both browned and antique gray, with sterling silver overlays. They make each piece to the specifications of the customer--but that part you already know. The Madoles have made a name for themselves in the world of Western wear:
"Our business continues due to the wonderful customer-friends we have made over the years. We thank them for appreciating the time and effort that go into our custom work."
In 1997, the husband-wife duo formed the company, Madole Spurs, to live out their dream of making high-quality, durable spurs, belt buckles, saddle hardware, and other gift items in steel and sterling silver. Each piece of their work is made by hand. While Bill and Sally both work at several stages of each project, they also enjoy different facets of the business. For example, Bill especially enjoys engraving the steel, while Sally prefers the silversmith work.
The Madoles participate in trade shows at various Western events across the country, where they sell their merchandise and take custom orders. The Madoles are featured in Jody and Ned Martin's book, Bits & Spurs, as well as Motifs Techniques, Modern Makers, and Cowboys & Indians magazine.
 | |
Madole Spurs has a series of celebrity spurs, too, that are truly incredible. |
|
|
Want to Find More Tack and Supplies Vendors?
Be sure to check out all The Western Vault members who sell tack and supplies:
Nettles Country
M.L. Leddy's
Cowboy Outfitters
Antiques on 8
EquiMedic USA
And many more!
 | |
Antiques on 8 has amazing tack accessories that will help you look great and make work easier. |
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
Upcomin' Events
Check out the following events that are comin' up in 2012, as well as the entire event calendar at The Western Vault. What are you waiting for? Mark your calendars to make it out to one of these great events!
Arizona Fine Art Expo
Now through April 1 in Scottsdale, Arizona
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Ranching & Wildlife Expo and Auction
March 2 in Houston, Texas
Rodeo Austin
March 9-22 in Austin, Texas
Libby Koch Concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 10 in Houston, Texas
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
February 28-March 18 in Houston, Texas
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Rodeo Austin is comin' up! Get your tickets before they sell out. |
|
|
Cookin' Up Good Times: World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Record-breaking crowds poured into the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest this past weekend. Along with food from some of the top barbecue masters in the world, visitors enjoyed live music and good company as this year's attendance reached more than 255,000, shattering the 2011 record of 244,184.
After a long weekend of grilling and a full day of judging on Saturday, the 2012 winners were announced:
Overall Grand Champion - Motley Que Crew
Champion Brisket - Keep'er Hot Cooking Team
Champion Ribs - Houston Metro Go Texan 5 / Road Dog Cookers
Champion Chicken - Motley Que Crew
Go Texan Best Barbecue - Jasper County Area Go Texan
Dutch Oven Dessert Contest - Swine-Os
Most Colorful Team - Ram's Club
Go Texan Most Colorful - Krazy Kookers
Most Unique Pit - Pitmakers
Best Team Skit - Pitmakers
Cleanest Team Area - Ram's Club
Go Texan Recycling - Calhoun County Area Go Texan
Recycling - Blowin' Smoke
"It's been such an unbelievable time," said Overall Grand Champion chief cook, Matt Sprouls from Champaign, Illinois. "All I can say is God bless Texas."
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Ya'll broke the cook-off's attendance record this past weekend! |
|
|
TODAY: Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is honoring the brave men and women today for their service in the U.S. military. Armed forces personnel, veterans, families, friends, and the public are encouraged to come out, dress in red, white, and blue, and show appreciation for the troops, past and present.
There will be free Reliant Park admission today for Armed Forces Appreciation Day:
- For service men and women in uniform and with a military ID
- For spouses of service men and women with a military spouse ID, and accompanying children under the age of 18
Go show your support and have a great time doing it!
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Salute and celebrate the troops today at Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the rodeo. |
|
|
A Texas Tradition: Rodeo Austin
Rodeo Austin's rich history of preserving Western heritage began in 1938. Over the years, The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo has grown from a show featuring 16 animals into one of Austin's premier events, featuring ProRodeo events, daily concerts, livestock show, and more.
This year, Rodeo Austin and State Farm are proud to offer ladies the exclusive opportunity to participate in our Rodeo U on March 12, a behind-the-chutes rodeo 101 course. Winners will earn a spot for themselves and a friend in the Rodeo U program, taught by some of ProRodeo's finest contestants and officials. Ladies will be able to find out everything they ever wanted to know about the sport of ProRodeo! Lucky winners will receive a slew of amazing prizes:
- Custom Rodeo U textbook
- Rodeo U course, taught by ProRodeo officials and contestants
- VIP Behind-the-Chutes tour
- Dinner in the Founders Club
- "Xtreme" seats for rodeo and concert series
- Rodeo Austin gifts
In addition to its exclusive Rodeo U opportunity, Rodeo Austin is committed to bringing a variety of genre-blending, award-winning artists to the stage for each Rodeo Austin concert. Check out the 2012 line-up and get your tickets to see the show:
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Rodeo Austin is located in the heart and capital of Texas. |
|
|
The Ride to the Finish Line: Houston's Rodeo Trail Riders
Horse-drawn covered wagons and cowboys and cowgirls on horseback arrived at their final destination in Memorial Park on Friday to complete the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trail Ride. More than 3,000 riders from different parts of Texas--some traveling as much as 386 miles - made the journey to raise awareness of the Show.
Trail Rides are judged the week before arriving at Memorial Park along different points of their routes, and awards were presented Friday:
Spirit Award - Sam Houston Trail Ride
Spirit Award - Sam Houston Trail Ride Wagon 3
Division 3 Award -The Mission Trail Ride
Division 2 Award -Prairie View Trail Ride
Division 1 Award - Salt Grass Trail Ride
The 12 participating trail rides included Los Vaqueros Rio Grande, Mission, Northeastern, Old Spanish, Prairie View, Salt Grass, Sam Houston, Southwest, Southwestern, Texas Independence, Spanish and Valley Lodge.
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Look who rode into the rodeo this weekend! |
|
|
Super Sales: RCC Western Stores
Rapid City, South Dakota | (605) 342-5223 | rccwesternstores.com
|
|
Stylish Spring Skirts on Sale: Pinto Ranch
Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada | (800) 393-8001| pintoranch.com
Spring's coming up, and all you stylish cowgirls will be looking for some good sales and great apparel pieces. Pinto Ranch has some very flirty, pretty skirts on sale, perfect for spring time. Check out these amazing skirts, and be sure to check out the store's other sale items, too!
|
|
Sales Galore: D&D Farm and Ranch
Seguin, Texas | (830) 379-7340 | facebook.com/DDFarmandRanch
D&D Farm and Ranch has 35%-off outwear and 20%-off select styles of felt hates--plus new ladies' tops! Get ready for spring with this sale.
 | |
These women's shirts are perfect for spring weather. |
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
"Go Texan" Students Awarded $1.15 Million
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo began its 2012 scholarship season today as 72 Texas high school seniors were each awarded a $16,000 scholarship to a Texas college or university.
 | |
Congratulations, students! |
The 62 participating Area Go Texan counties are: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cherokee, Colorado, DeWitt, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Goliad, Gonzales, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Hill, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Matagorda, McLennan, Milam, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Refugio, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Washington, Wharton and Williamson.
The 72, four-year, $16,000 scholarships include an additional 10 awards given at large to eligible students within the 62 counties represented in the Area Go Texan Scholarship Program.
These scholarships are part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's annual commitment of more than $18.8 million to Texas students. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed approximately $283 million to the youth of Texas.
|
|
The Ranching & Wildlife Committee: A Call for Donations
The Ranching & Wildlife Committee raises awareness and supports the efforts of farmers and ranchers in both ranching and wildlife industries. At the conclusion of the four-day Ranching & Wildlife Expo, the organization hosts a live auction that includes unique hunts, tremendous fishing excursions, wildlife art, and farm-ranch memorabilia.
On March 2, the organization's committee will hold an auction to benefit the mission of the Houston Livestock Show, which, itself, has committed more than $265 million to the youth of Texas. The Ranching & Wildlife Committee anticipates raising more than $400,000 at this event.
Please consider donating your products to help the organization's cause. The members are happy to work out the details with you or your designate. This donation would be greatly appreciated and your gift may even remain anonymous, should you wish.
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
Lovely Leather Art: The Western Diva
Weatherford, Texas | (817) 613-7646 | thewesterndiva.com
The Western Diva loves to come up with creative ways for you to display your ranch brand, company name, monogram, and other scenes, which is why the store has its amazing laser-etched hair-on-hide home accessories. They're quintessential Western pieces! The store's hair-on-hide collection includes art, coasters, pillows, rugs, and table toppers.
Being a Texas-based, family-owned business with a love for all things Western, The Western Diva has evolved into a unique Western accessories business with its main emphasis being on providing the customer gorgeous, personalized items because they understand the importance of and pride in putting your name or brand on your belongings.
For example, the roping scene (lower left-hand corner) is laser-etched on beautiful brown speckled hair-on-hide. Have The Western Diva create a custom frame for you or use a shadow box to accentuate this piece. The lower left-hand corner is a perfect place for a trophy buckle, too.
These home decor pieces make perfect gifts. The art can be sold with just the leather piece or combined with one of The Western Diva's frames.
Check out photos of the rest of The Western Diva's hair-on-hide products (and much more), and you'll find something you can't wait to put in your home.
Follow The Western Diva on Facebook!
 | |
The Western Diva is the quintessential Western accessories store. |
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
Get Noticed, Get Publicity: A Call for Submissions
Do you have an incredible new inventory of products you can't wait to share? Do you want everyone to know what new services you're offering, gigs you're playing, or pieces you're making?
Promote your services and products on The Western Vault newsletter and blog, where you'll get thousands of hits and big-time exposure for your business.
Western enthusiasts want to see your stuff! The Western Vault wants to show it all off. E-mail Jen Kimrey, the content writer, at jen@thewesternvault.com. All submissions sent to this e-mail will be featured on both/either The Western Vault newsletter and blog.
Send a submission now.
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
This week on The Texas Music Chart, Katy, Texas-native Roger Creager has taken over the #1 spot with his single "Turn It Up," which had 1,196 plays! Ryan Beaver's "Hate" remains at #2, while the Eli Young Band moves into the #3 spot with "Even If It Breaks Your Heart."
Be sure to check out the Eli Young Band in this month's Best in Texas magazine, too!
Return to the top of the newsletter.
 | |
Be sure to pick up the latest issue. |
|
|
Be sure to check out all members' new inventory. There are some great deals and products coming out now. Here's a preview of what you'll find (and what you're going to love).
Cowboy Boot Bracelets by The Western Diva
Bailey Sahagun 500X Hat by Cowboy Outfitters
Assorted Denim Brands by Cowboy Outfitters
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
Texas National Outfitters is the world's #1 source for handmade cowboy boots, buckles, belts, and more. The store is also the exclusive retailer of Leddy Vaquero cowboy boots.
Be sure to check out The Western Vault blog for more fun videos, exciting events, and awesome updates!
Return to the top of the newsletter.
|
|
