The Wrangler Horse and Rodeo News

42 • The WRANGLER • September, 2024 If there is one thing barrel racers love to collect, it's a tack room and trailer full of bits. this is true for bArreL horse trAiner, nfr QuALifier And muLtiPLe futurity And derby chAmPion, dAnyeLLe cAmPbeLL. "I probably have 200 bits in my tack room," she laughed. While there may be thousands of bits on the market, there is always room for innovation and new ideas. That need inspired renowned bit and spur maker, Kerry Kelley, to venture into the world of barrel racing bits. Campbell and Kelley's collaboration is built on the unique feel and quality of a handmade bit, coupled with Campbell's lifelong knowledge of training barrel horses. Their partnership began out of mutual respect for one another's craft. "Kerry and I lived in the same town and he had a girl working for him that knew of me. She suggested that he reach out to me and I was aware of his reputation and work," Campbell explained. Kelley began from the ground up, building bits based on Campbell's careful considerations, "He didn't really have anything for me to take home and see what his bits felt like. So I brought in a handful of bits that I liked to ride and we went through those and what I liked about them and how they felt. He would build a bit right in front of me and modify things until we got it right." One of the unique things about the line is the duo's innovation of shank and mouthpiece designs. Most mass production companies have their interpretation or style of relatively standard barrel racing bits, but not many have branched out and created something different. Campbell knew that were certain styles and feels that she liked, even if they were not widely available or popular. "There is a great story behind the creation of pretty much every bit in the line," Campbell explained. "One of our most popular bits was based on a handmade bit that I bought from someone in the 90s at the Salinas rodeo." What is now known as the "Hemi" shank can be found in the tack room of nearly every barrel racer, from enthusiasts to professionals. Another popular bit in the line is known as the "Ticket." Campbell initially saw the idea on an English jumping horse as a combination bit. She was intrigued and ordered some to try, but the design needed perfecting for the needs of a barrel racer. By Teal Stoll b i t s o f s u c c e s s : k e r r y b i t s o f s u c c e s s : k e r r y k e L L e y & d A n y e L L e c A m P b e L L ' s k e L L e y & d A n y e L L e c A m P b e L L ' s e v o L u t i o n A r y c o L L A b o r A t i o n e v o L u t i o n A r y c o L L A b o r A t i o n Danyelle Campbell, professional barrel horse trainer. Photo Credit: Rodeo Vogue. Hemi Dog Bone. Photo Credit: Jazen Tew of Denim & Velvet.

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