Abilene bootmaker, Brian C. Thomas won the Professionals’ Choice Award on October 8th, 2005, at the 17th Annual Boot and Saddlemakers Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas.
The award is given annually to a single bootmaker whose handmade cowboy boots exhibit the greatest artistry and craftsmanship.
Thomas’s boot was chosen from a field of approximately 30 pairs built by bootmakers from across the United States. The judges for this category are master bootmakers each with over 20 years experience. Tex Robin, one of this year’s judges, reported that the panel carefully examined each boot entry top to bottom…and then stitch by stitch.
Journeyman:
Larry Binford (Navasota, TX) Winner
Chuck Deats (Centennial, CO) Runner-Up
Working Cowboy Boot:
Terry Young (Paducah, TX) Winner
Dew Westover (Vernon, TX) Runner-Up
Artistry:
Bill Niemczyk (Granby, CT) Winner
Mike Spikes (Henrietta, TX) Runner-Up
Top Stitching:
Mike Spikes (Henrietta, TX) Winner
Open:
Bill Niemczyk (Granby, CT) Winner
Dew Westover (Vernon,TX) Runner-Up
Masters:
Carl Chappell (Saint Jo, TX) Winner
Read more about this winning boot.
Professional’s Choice:
Brian Thomas (Abilene TX) Winner
Bill Niemczyk (Granby, CT) Runner-Up
For more information about this or next year’s contest, please contact Mr. Gary Cunningham at cunninghamtx@hotmail.com, or (940) 691-6750.
