Steve Schmitt

Growing up in Texas, Steve developed an early love for both horses and for the cowboy way of life. At 18, he headed north to travel the west and while working at cow camp one winter, fate intervened. Steve needed new spurs but, being short of cash and a long way from town, he fashioned his first pair using horseshoe rasps. He used them for several years and soon began making spurs for other cowboys in the area.
Steve ended up in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia where he studied Agriculture, obtained a degree in Animal Sciences and met the love of his life. After college, Steve, and his bride, Carol, moved to Alberta, where in turn he became manager of a western store and saddlery, livestock manager at a bull facility, and horse trainer and salesman at a large Nutrena feed store.
Always striving for excellence, Schmitt attended the Miller Bit and Spur School in the 1980s and moved to Idaho to apprentice with the renowned Elmer Miller for two years. While fine-tuning his skills as a bit & spur maker and silversmith, Steve also rode and learned equestrian skills from with the best horseman in the region as he competed in reining, cutting and roping events while doing day work on ranches. Steve enjoyed the challenge of building a good bridle bit and often tried it on a horse before deciding to embellish it with silver. It was in the early 1990s when Steve developed a lifelong respect and intense passion for the California Vaquero tradition which is often reflected in his stunning work.

Steve and Carol, after raising two accomplished children, resided in Sonoita, Arizona from 2003-2017 where they operated the High Noon Tack and Feed Store before returning to British Columbia. Although Steve has now retired from building his bits and spurs, he continues to remain very busy with his diverse projects, animals and spiritual travel

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