BRAD WESTMORELAND PRESIDENT www.gangof5longhorns.com 214 287-2303
MICHA HAMERSKY REGION 1 contact@texaslonghorn at
DIRECTOR AT LARGE #1 larrypsmith2@yahoo.com 240-446-9950
KEITH BERKELEY VICE PRESIDENT joel d@texaslonghorn com 240-446-9950 JOEL
DIRECTOR AT LARGE #2 gary@searleranch.com 719-314-8294
REGION 2 & Treasurer kblb@frontiernet net 304-725-4202
SHADOW SEAMAN
REGION 3 tomeyfarms@yahoo.com 812-583-4622 JUSTIN SABIO REGION 7 drjustinsabio@gmail.com 940-902-3244 CRAIG KROEKER REGION 5 victoryranchlonghorns@gmail com 208-428-2484
JEREMY JOHNSON REGION 8 dosninosranch@gmail com 210-413-2105
REGION 10 brettkot@hotmail com 1-306-861-1526 MIKE
REGION 6 ckroeker5536@gmail com 580- 335-4126
JOHN OLIVER REGION 9 wgh1@swbell.com 832-768-0430
TRAVIS J CASEY BRETT KOT
REGION 4 tcasey357@gmail com 719-650-5234
RUSSELL FREEMAN PAST PRESIDENT russell@thefreemanranch com 254-396-9185
2024 NLFR Champion FEMALE
Grande BCC • 2,981.26• (5/8/22) M.C. American Graffiti x JP Grand KC Pizzaz
Journey to the Championship: Diamond C Ranch
How does it feel to win the NLFR and what does this accomplishment mean to you?
Winning the first NLFR was an amazing experience. We always knew Fifty Grande was a great heifer to build a program around but to actually win the National Longhorn Futurity was more than we could have hoped for. Being part of the chase, driving around the country with my family and friends, sometimes making the long trips myself are all part of the memories made.
Can you tell us about your journey leading up to this win?
We got started in longhorns back in 2016. At first, the cattle were just utilitarian lawn ornaments to mow the pasture. My first longhorn futurity was the Cherry Blossom sale hosted by Ann Gravett. We watched the futurity with the late Jared Sink, the man who sold me my first Bull. He explained how it worked, and we had a great time in the Calcutta. I knew that day that I wanted to be part of the longhorn community. We started building our herd, selecting for better genetics I got some great advice over the years, and we started to attend more futurities. It can be frustrating as new breeders, but once you find the right combinations all the sudden you start getting towards the top I think my first success was DCR Drop’N Fifty Of course, I let her go when she was too young, but I knew we had a great heifer. Shortly after that I had one of those happy ac- cidents, I had used some heifer sexed semen but ended up with a beautiful Bull Calf named DCR Roman’s Jest that went on to win big at the 2022 Millennium Then another stroke of great luck, I was walking around the Heifer Pens at the Great Northern Longhorn classic and I spotted Fifty Grande. I was confident she was what I wanted to add to the program and after badger- ing my husband and working out the details with Dave Bilgrien, we loaded her on the trailer and brought her
home. The rest is history as they say.
What makes your winning animal unique or special to you?
Fifty Grande is truly one of a kind animal with her beautiful parker brown face and wild blue roan color. She has amazing confirmation and incredible horn growth She hit over 80" TTT at just 2.5 years old and has incredible confirmation and temperament. She also is the sweetest cow on our place and loves to be brushed and loved on by everybody.
Share the story behind how you acquired or bred this animal?
I found her at the Cheesehead Futurity in Wisconsin. She was two pens down from my animals and I had met Dave Bilgrien a few years prior at the Cherry Blossom sale. I know Dave has a great eye for confir- mation with his background in Arabian horses and he also loves to sell animals he bred so they can go out and showcase his program It was meant to be but it took a bit longer to convince John that I NEEDED her in our herd.
What qualities or characteristics of your animal do you think stood out to the judges?
From the beginning it has been her striking color. She stands out in the crowd and has grown into one of the larger height and framed animals. Now her horn kicked in and she has become the total package
What kind of preparation went into getting ready for the 2024 futurities?
Before we head out for a show everyone gets a bath and hair trim. Their horns get polished with a clear coat Grain and hay get packed so they have something extra while they travel I also think it important for them to have a travel buddy to ease stress. Fifty Grande and
Outplay x Iron Hot Fireball Owned by Oliver Longhorns
Donald Trump 117 x Queen Ragna Owned by Kylie & Aaron Johnson
3J Step’n On Hearts
Dunn Step’N Up x 3J Come-A0Long Millie Owned by John & Natalie Chaney
2,244
KDK Wildfire x TLS Bwana’s Ladybug Owned by John & Natalie Chaney
Saint Drogo x Pacific Jester Owned by John & Natalie Chaney
Riverforks Woody
Tuff x POR Shiner Blo Owned by Terry & Tammy King
Game Changer 044 x Horseshoe J Audaci Owned by Jones/King Partnership
17th • HL Come On Over • 1,824 75 (9/18/22) HL Heads Up x HL Pretty Picture Owned by Circle A Longhorns
Destiny
23rd • 3J Ginger Snap • 1,767 00 (4/19/23) Pearl Snap BCB x Bella’s Bluebonnet Owned by Jeramie & Annette James
• M C Hangin’ In Dixie • 1,757 25 (7/29/23) M C Hangin’ Tuff x M C Lady Luck
Harley Quinn are best buds and do everything together in the field and on the road When the trailer gets hooked up to the truck, they are both standing by the gate wait- ing instead of with the rest of the cows grazing They love to get out and show in the ring
What do you think has been the key to your success during the 2024 furturities?
Getting out and showing at 12 shows this year has really gotten her out and into the spotlight. Fifty Grande travels great so she comes off the trailer ready and keeps that condition even in the back pens waiting for her turn in the ring.
What advice would you give to someone considering entering a futurity for the first time?
Absolutely get out there and do it!!! Hang pen signs with the information on your animal and ranch It’s a great way to showcase your breeding program and meet people. The people in this industry are the absolute best. Is there anything that you would have done differently?
Attending so many shows with back to back weekends and heck two even in one weekend it was crazy often times. I wouldn’t trade any of it! though!
How do you plan to use this experience to improve in future futurities?
It was great to get to see everyone so often in the industry and I learned a lot about hauling long distances and little trips and tricks. We are already planning our events for 2025 including the revamped NLFR bracket after Millennium
Who has been your biggest supporter(s) or mentor(s) during this journey?
My family of course is the biggest and best support. My daughter, Mackenzie really got into showing this year with her heifer, Harley, and traveled with me to over half of the events.
Dan Grove for letting Fifty Grande and myself tag along to the events further away
To everyone for calling me and chatting with me while I was on the road and even Dan Huntington and Jamie Feldman for cancelling flights to drive through the night!
As I mentioned, the people in this industry are truly the best!
•
CA • 1,794 25 (8/19/22) BR Carbon Copy x Carolina Dream Owned by Circle A Longhorns
Cut N
Cut’N Dried x 50 Heels High Owned by Lonesome Pines Ranch
21st • DB Jammin’ Span • 1,786 00
(4/7/23) Iron Span x Jambee Owned by Danielle Mershon 24th
Owned by Jeffrey & Marcia Wilson
22nd • M7 Fancy Black • 1,785 20 (10/15/23) HL Higher Ground x JH Jet’s Black Mamba Owned by M7 Longhorns
25th • NV Nights On Fire • 1,592 30 (2/2/23) Hubbells 20 Gauge x N
Stop Believin’ x MM Miss Tuff Don’t Stop Owned by McEntire Ranches
TEXAS LONGHORN TRAILS
2024 NLFR Champion BULL
Owned by One Cool Hombre Partnership
Journey to the Championship: Bryant Cattle Company
How does it feel to win the NLFR and what does this accomplishment mean to you?
Very humbling, and gratifying. For us, it shows that Bryant Cattle Company are breeders of quality cattle. We have had other cattle win, but One Cool Hombre is 2nd generation born, bred and raised here One Cool Hombre • 2,502.70 • (3/7/23) Ragnar x Lucy The Gem
Can you tell us about your journey leading up to this win?
A very long road. One Cool Hombre was hauled over 14,800 miles to 11 different shows. He won his class at 9 out of the 11 shows, he was high point 6 times. He was shown under 53 judges total
Share the story behind how you acquired or bred this animal.
One Cool Hombre was born on 3-7-2023 This planned mating showed to be a prospect with a black and white bull calf. I told Jodi that we have our next bull prospect. Hi sire, Ragnar, was bred and raised right here at the ranch. He was hauled to futurities and winning himself He was the first Legends Futurity Gran Champion Bull His Dam, Lucy the Gem, was a first calf heifer and the last calf out of Over Cast. She is the daughter over Overkill and out of an Overwhelmer daughter. She was one of our first original Longhorns here at Bryant Cattle Company
What qualities or characteristics of your animals do you think stood out to the judges?
The first thing they saw was how big he was. He is tall, long, balanced, very deep in the heart girth and has a good spring of rib He has an excellent bone When weighed at the Horn Showcase, he weighed in at 1530 pounds. The Legends Futurity required a BSE for the bulls. He had 94 percent good sperm, with 2 percent damaged heads and 4 percent damaged tails with 42 cm scrotal score When he walked away from the judges there was not a question if he was a breeder.
What kind or preparation went into getting ready for the 2024 futurities?
The first thing is conditioning Some people say that they should come out of the pasture When you haul an animal as many miles that he was hauled they would have never made the trip without conditioning. One Cool Hombre was never fat but solid. A good shiny hair coat pops there cattle and also shows that he is healthy Letting him out to do his thing is a big deal for us He had his own feed but he could go out with Jodi’s big steer and other bulls and get pushed and push them around. I think that this build muscle and is needed in the development stages of life
What do you think has been the key to your success during the 2024 futurities?
Having One Cool Hombre ready to be seen every time he is hauled - in good condition, excellent hair coat and he has one of the best attitudes of any animal male or female.
What advice would you give to someone considering entering a futurity for the first time?
Make your own goal for the type of cattle that you want in your pasture Haul your best, put that animal on feed and don’t get them over conditioned, but fit. When you get to the futurity evaluate your competition in your own mind. See what wins your class and see how you can fix your animals Finally, don’t get discouraged that you did not win or overconfident that you won We have to remember that there are 5 judges in most futurities. Throw the highs and lows out and use the other three. This is also their opinion of what they like. Some judges may not like solid animals and they definitely don’t like black and red animals In today’s futurity world, when we have 20 plus animals in a class, the top 5 cattle could change in order just because how they moved, or a number of things. At the end of the day, they won that day
View Farms
Oliver Longhorns
Patriot HR x Pacific Jubilation Owned by Natalie Chaney
Hightower / Huskey Partnership
Red River Firestorm
KDK Wildfire x BL Red River Cowgirl Owned by Circle A Longhorns
Jaguar Chex x BL Jungle Girl Owned by G3 Ranch
LTL Blue Streak x Lazy J’s Kick Back Owned by Lazy J Longhorns 10th
OL Mayar
1,111 00 (10/16/23) Sequoia Gala x MW Luna Owned by Oliver Longhorns
Stranglehold
Jaguar Chex x BL Sassy Lass Owned by Mike & Kara Spinnner
Drop Box x DBL
Jet Over Owned by Terry & Tammy King
7th Double S Tiger King
50 (9/11/22) Hubbells Jeremiah 29:11 x HL Possum Pri Owned by Stone/W2 Partnership 16th
Water
677 70 (4/30/23) HL Higher Ground x Spring Song BCB Owned by Keegan Riley
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes, we would have promoted our bull program in the futurities hard. But One Cool Hombre came from our heifer program that we don’t show as much
How do you plan to use this experience to improve future futurities?
I have studied the new NLFR requirements for 2025 This year the requirement changed on qualifying for the Knockout Tournament. So, this year we will focus on hauling our best cattle to the futurities that are close. With that said it still looks like around 11 to 12 futurities. Its not about going the most miles but in the Knockout Tournament its about getting your animals seen Not knowing the judges this early you need to expose your animals to as many judges and times that is possible. Our new calves were selected in August while they were on the cows and bought a nice calf to promote
Who has been your biggest supporter(s) or mentor(s) during this journey?
Our biggest supporter is The All Mighty. If not for Him we would not be able to do all of this. Second would be family, our boys, Humberto Nobre were in it from the beginning
About halfway through the year Wayne Manning started sparking interest and at the 2024 Horn Showcase when Wayne Manning, Bob Loomis, and Tom Buxon asked if they could be partners on him, was a highlight
I have always respected Mike Willinger from Hudson Longhorns and talking to him about what our animal should look like put this bull together. He once told me that Ragnar was the best bull that I produced and hauled but the most important thing is the female production
We are very proud to have a partnership of One Cool Hombre with Wayne, Bob and Tom and their families. But to me, the best accomplishment is to have a breeder like Bob Loomis that has produced the best, be on board with that One Cool Hombre has to offer
The last thing is, I want to thank Dan Huntington and Joe Sedleck for offering the opportunity to be part of this ride. Joe was always encouraging me to go to the next one. His statement will never be forgotten: “It’s yours to lose ”
Bux Tex 669.10 (7/1/23) TJ Bux x Chex Mix 15/07 Owned by Buxton Longhorns
23rd 3P Star of the Century 665.00 (9/6/23) Century 100 x LM Starry Night Owned by 3P Ranch (Pshigoda)
17th • HOA Honky Tonk Blues • 672 10
Hicks Bocephus x Hicks Rosemary Owned by Hall Outlaw Acres
21st • Bux Big Bux • 667 75
• M7 Hydro’s Thunder
670 50
• 3P Bordertown Buzz
• Riverforks Willis • 663 15
(10/18/23) M C Hangin’ Tuff x Riverfork Play the Field Owned by Terry & Tammy King 19th • HL King’s Crown • 669 50 (8/28/23) HL Jango x HL Little Queen Owned by Crown Creek Cattle LLC
• 3P Friday’s Legacy • 666 75
BR Jungle Jim x PG Black Friday Owned by Jason & Barb Pshigoda
(9/10/23) Rebel HR x Barn Dancer
(7/2/23) WS Hydro x GLR Midnight Masquerade
(3/16/23) TKR Royal “T” x Bandera’s Confetti BCB Owned by W2 Ranch
Owned by Buxton Longhorns Owned by Savannah Belle Farms
M.C. HANGIN’ TUFF - 102 3/8” TTT
Breeder: Mary Stahl - Owned by Murry/Siller Partnership
SIRE OF THE YEAR CHAMPION
TOP SIRE OF FUTURITY HEIFERS & BULLS BORN 2022-2023
37 OFFSPRING WITH A TOTAL OF 17,750.45 POINTS
DAM OF THE YEAR CHAMPION
TOP DAM OF FUTURITY HEIFERS & BULLS BORN 2022-2023
N8IVE DREAMZ - 99.75” TTT
Owned by Hoosier Longhorns
5 OFFSPRING WITH A TOTAL OF 4,679.95 POINTS
2025 Participating Futurities(at time of publication)
Visit wwwhuntingtonsalescom to add your futurity
Winchester Futurity
March 1st, 2025
Bryan, TX
ITLA Lone Star Classic
April 4th, 2025
Greenville, TX
Bluegrass Futurity
April 11th, 2025
Lexington, KY
Cherry Blossom Futurity
April 18th, 2025
Culpeper, VA
Battle on the Prairie
April 25th, 2025
Duncan, OK
Music City Futurity
May 30th, 2025 Nashville, TN
Appalachian Trail Futurity
June 6th, 2025
Harrisburg, PA
Pineywood Futurity
June 13th, 2025 Lufkin, TX
Futurity of the West
June 20th, 2025
Dundee, OR
GLTLA Futurity
June 21st, 2025
Lowell, MI
Chisholm Trail Futurity
June 28th, 2025 Enid, OK
ORVTLA Buckeye Classic Futurity
July 18th, 2025 Jackson, OH
Cheesehead Futurity
July 25th, 2025
Gresham, WI
Sunflower Showdown
August 9, 2025 KS
G&G Fall Futurity
September 12, 2025
Culpeper, VA
Horn Showcase Futurity
October 3rd, 2025 El Reno, OK
Millennium Futurity
October 18, 2025 Lexington, KY
The Good Life Futurity
Fremont, NE
ITLA Championship Show
Lufkin, TX
Peach State Showout
Statesboro, GA
S I G N S O F C O L D S T R E S S I N
LONGHORN CATTLE
Calves won’t suckle a bottle or fingers.
Depression, fatigue, unwillingness to move, and going down.
Fresh frostbite.
Low body temperature (<35°C).
Pale gums.
Shivering (but may stop if the condition becomes severe).
Skin or mouth is cold to the touch.
As we go into the winter months there are many things to keep our eyes on when it comes to protecting our herds, their health and their safety. One of the biggest concerns is the threat of cold stress in calves. I am sure, despite our valiant efforts, we have all had a cow drop a prize calf on the coldest day of the year at least once during our endeavors. In this article we will address ways to improve management strategies to avoid cold stress and also touch on the signs that you need to look for to avoid losing a valuable addition to your herd.
What exactly is “cold stress”? Glad you asked! Cold stress refers to a situation in which the calf’s body temperature drops below its normal range due to cold weather exposure. This causes physiological stress as the calf struggles to maintain its core temperature and often leads to signs such as shivering, decreased activity and potential health complications if not managed properly. Despite their hardy nature, even Longhorn calves can experience cold stress, especially newborn calves, if they lack adequate shelter, nutrition and dry bedding in cold environments.
Cold stress can occur when the temperature falls below fifty-degrees fahrenheit and remains there. The comfort zone is much wider when calves are between one month of age and weaning, during this time temperatures form 46-80 degrees are included. At this age cold stress is not likely until the temperature drops below twenty-eight degrees fahrenheit. Their underdeveloped ability to regulate body temperature is a susceptible factor as is conditions like wet hair, wind chill and lack of sufficient body fat. There are several things that we can do to prevent cold stress and most of us are probably already implementing a version of them for our own herds.
Providing adequate shelter is a must, even though we all know that Longhorns tend to huddle up under the cover of trees during inclement weather; much like deer do in the wild. Windbreaks are a great asset to consider as well as the more obvious barn structure for them to calve in. Any well-constructed calving pen that you can provide, along with dry bedding, will help protect them from the cold temperatures and drafts.
High quality nutrition is a must. Ensure that your calves have access to sufficient energydense feed such as very good quality hay and grain. Feeding them the best quality feed stuffs that you can helps them maintain their body temperatures.
Water is also key. Having access to water at all times is crucial for every time of year, but it is also very helpful in the prevention of cold stress. Prevent water from freezing and also provide warm water regularly, especially during extreme cold.
You may also consider calf jackets or blankets for very young calves that are out during extreme cold temperatures.
We all know how important colostrum is to get young calves on the right track to a healthy life. The earlier calves have access to colostrum the better. Ensure that your calves receive adequate colostrum as soon after birth as possible in order to boost their immune system and provide them with essential nutrients.
Even when taking all these precautions, we should all monitor our herd closely. Bundling up in all of our winter layers and trekking out to the back forty to check on them is not what anyone would likely consider fun, but it is necessary for the good of our herds. We can add an extra layer or two, but they cannot.
Which brings us to what to look for. Shivering is a sure sign of cold stress, but they may stop shivering once they reach a certain stress level. Look for decreased activity, lethargy and a clumsy gait as these are also signs of cold stress. Huddling behavior, reduced activity and lack of appetite are things to watch for as well. Calves with cold ears and extremities also are experiencing cold stress.
Cold stress can occur in cows of any age, but newborn and very young calves are at a higher risk when it comes to extreme temperatures. Calves that are severely chilled at birth without immediate assistance to warm and dry them and make sure they ingest colostrum have a very poor survival rate.
We cannot control the weather but we can all help our herds weather it.
-ITLA PAST PRESIDENTS-
JERRY WILLIAMS 1990
BEN GRAVETT 1997
MARY SUE CLINE 2003
LARRY LANERO 2014-2015
RUSSELL HOOKS OCT 2022-APRIL 2023
BILL ANTHONY 1991
DAROL DICKINSON 1998-1999
JOHN HODGES 2004-2006
GARY DON TAYLOR 2016
STAN SEARLE 1992-1993 JOE VALENTINE 1994-1996
RAY MOORE 2000
LARRY SMITH II 2007-2010
MIKE TOMEY 2017-2018
GARY BRUCH 2001-2002
LARRY SMITH II 2019-2022 ROGER HUTTON 2011-2013
RUSSELL FREEMAN APRIL2023- NOVEMBER 2024
ITLA Committees-
The International Board of Directors has established the following Committees which are designed, in part, to help the ITLA run more efficiently, to remain competitive in the industry, and to provide our members with desired activities and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in serving on any of these Committees, please contact the listed Chairpersons. We need your ideas and energies!
Osso Bucco is a delicious tender, flavorful braised beef h k dish h i h f j this cut of me
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours and 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2-3 pounds beef shanks cut into 3-4 inch pieces
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 large white onion sliced into rings
2 medium carrots chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 12oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup beef stock
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
If you want, dredge the beef shanks through flour and Melt the butter in a large oven safe braising pan over m
Fry the beef shanks in the butter until browned on the
Remove the beef shanks to a plate, and keep warm.
Add the onion slices to the skillet; cook and stir until th e carrots and fry until the garlic is fragrant.
Pour in the white wine and deglaze the pan at this point. Stir in the beef broth and the tomatoes.
Return the beef to the pan, making sure the shanks are submerged in the sauce.
The best way to cook now is to place the lid on top and cook the shanks in a 300 °F for 4-5 hours, until the meat is tender and falling o
For stove top, cover and simmer o moving the meat occasionally to ens
And Now Dessert....
A fun New Years dessert with one whole almond baked in whoever gets the almond will have one year good luck!
Almond Good Luck Cake
Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 tablespoon plus 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flo
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup shortening
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
3 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 whole almond
APRICOT GLAZE:
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon orange juice
Directions
Combine almond and 1 tablespoon flour; s
In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, zest and extracts. Combine the baking powder, salt, baking soda and remaining flour; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff. Fold into batter. Pour into prepared pan. Insert whole almond into batter.
Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. For glaze, melt preserves in a microwave or saucepan; strain. Add orange juice; drizzle over warm cake.
What a blessing it is to have a new year laid out before us. Of course, none of us are promised tomorrow; but we are still expected to plan wisely. I hope that you will plan to be involved with the ITLA this year, because we could use your talents and energy as we continue to work toward keeping the good things about this Association going and improving those that could use some improvement. Be sure to read this issue of the Longhorn Drover front to back, and think about ways that you can become involved. Then (here’s the most important part), get involved! Inside this issue you’ll easily find the names and contact information for committee chairpersons who can put you to work quicker than a Texas weather change…so please give them a call and sign up in an area that fits your skills and interests. Or heck, try something new!
As promised in my last letter, the International Board of Directors has already been very busy; and I’m pleased to report that you’ll find a copy of the 2025 Annual Expense Budget in this issue of the Longhorn Drover. It is the first budget we’ve had in several years; and I think you’ll find it to be a wellthought-out yet conservative use of your money. As a Board, we also hope that you will appreciate that we’ve made this budget available in this format for each of you to review, rather than just pass it and keep it known only to ourselves. This is your Association, after all. Thank you for trusting us to make wise decisions about the funds you contribute through dues, registrations, and otherwise.
I’m also pleased to announce that the Board has agreed for there to be at least one more published, hard-copy version of the Longhorn Drover in 2025. That issue will serve two primary functions: (1) it will update our membership lists; and (2) it will help to educate all of us about the history and drama surrounding our treasured Texas Longhorn cattle. We will provide more details in the near future; but we’re already excited and hope that you are as well.
For our truly International members, I’m also very excited to report that the annual “International Photo Contest” will be expanded and improved, so that it will essentially be a virtual judging of cattle being shown (and shown off) by our international members who cannot physically make it to our Annual International Championship Show. More exciting details to follow!
So, as your Board of Directors, we are not sitting idle; but have hit the ground running full tilt. It’s an honor to serve you. Never hesitate to call me with any questions, concerns, or atta-boys for fellow members. And in the meantime, may God bless you, your Gang, and your cattle in this new year.
UPDATE FROM HEADQUARTERS
Howdy from Headquarters!
Happy New Year! I am so extremely excited for this year! 2025 will be one for the books for sure!
If you haven't seen already, we are having the 2025 Lone Star Classic in Greenville TX. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Justin Sabio or myself and we will be happy to help. Entry forms for the show will be out soon, so be on the lookout for those! Add it to your calendar now!!! April 4-6 at Longhorn Arena in Greenville TX. We are working really hard to make it a wonderful event that you will not want to miss! Futurity, Haltered, Non-Haltered, Youth Shows, as well as some extra events for the kids! This is going to be a great show for the whole family so be sure to add it to your event schedule this year!
As always, if you have any questions on registrations or anything else I may be able to help with, please do not hesitate to reach out! I am always happy to help!
Pam Kinsel-Hughes
Evie Westmoreland
2025 ITLA Queen
Happy New Year!
One of my favorite Christmas movies and one of my favorite movies of any genre is Scrooge which is based off of Charles Dickens’ book, “A Christmas Carol”. In this movie the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge turns his life around and he says that He is able to begin again. Everyone who is reading this has been given the blessing of a New Year and a new day. An opportunity to begin again. So, let this be a year that you’re proud of, a year where at the end of it you will feel accomplished and fulfilled.
So, get out there and fix that fence that’s needed fixing, cultivate that long neglected field, try out that recipe, attend that seminar, visit that destination, join that Bible study, tell that person that you love them. Whatever it is that you need to do, do it. Because folks, none of us know truly how short life is, so make the most of it while you have it.
The Creator of the world, the Author of salvation, God Almighty, gives us the opportunity to begin again every single day. We read this in Lamentations 3:22-23.
So, my Longhorn friends and family, this is the year of doing. The year of actions taken. And the year of taking in and appreciating our blessings.
Whatever it is that you do or don’t do this year, I encourage you to have the Lord at the center, as the foundation, and as the capstone of it all.
This year is full of positive possibilities. So grab it by the horns, ride, and trust God to take the reins.
Stay in the saddle and make this a great year!
May God bless you, your cattle, and your endeavors.
- Evie Westmoreland
Jeremiah 29:11
Evelyn Miner
As we finish up 2024, life has been filled with fun holiday activities, gathering with friends, decorating Christmas cookies and celebrating Jesus’ birthday with family.
On the ranch, the fall working of cattle is done and animals are settled in for the winter. The fields will be empty till spring but there is plenty of continued halter training to keep cows tuned up for next show season.
As we look to the new year, I hope you have a wonderful new year and challenge yourself to do something new.
Wishing you a wonderful New Year Filled with love and longhorns.
Evelyn Miner- 2025 Little Miss ITLA
2025 ITLA Little Miss
Trail's End Marycile Beer
I'm on my way to a different day A day of long ago. Where the buffalo roam And the long horns groan As down the trail they go.
There isn't much time for them to graze The drovers push them hard
But you can bet they're up to it Cause they're from Texas pard.
Them old longhorns just duck their heads And push the ones in front
And when they get tired of all that guff A fight will then erupt.
The drovers they then step in
To try and calm the herd If it doesn't work then there's a chance A stampede will occur.
The day is clear, a good day to trail
But the clouds they do watch Cause if a lightening storm comes up The first thing to do is get down from your horse.
Circle the critters, try to keep them calm And if that doesn't work, All you can do is try and turn the herd And hope you get the final word.
Joe took the lead, rope in hand
He zeroed in on the leader
He gave the rope a throw, tied hard and fast As he tried to take control.
It was a chore, pressured from all sides, His horse was wearing thin
Another group passed them by Boxing them both in.
His horse did stumble, down they went
An angel took his hand. Now Joe is riding herd for God In the Promised Land.
r o c e s s o r s
Finding a meat processor willing to handle big horned cattle is always a chore, so we decided to help! We reached out to some longhorn breeders to see which processors they were using and happy with. Below is the list that we have complied so far, hopefully this helps!
Timberline Meats
Penn Yann, NY.
Ray’s Meat Market
Woodward, OK.
Smucker’s Meats
Mount Joy, PA.
USDA
Kemps Custom Butchering
Middlefield, OH.
USDA
5th. Avenue
Sterling, OK.
USDA
Southern Meat Processing
Headland, AL.
USDA
Westcliffe Meats
Westcliffe, CO.
USDA
Rail 19
Sulphur Springs, TX.
Durand Smokehouse
Western, WI.
USDA
Homestead Meats
Guthrie, OK.
Smithville Meats
Smithville, TX.
USDA
3D Meats
Dalton, OH.
USDA
Bear Mt. Beef
Hot Springs, WY.
Fischers Meat Market
Meunster, TX.
Western Heritage Meats
Sheridan, WY.
Volunteer Meats Lexington, TN.
USDA
Butchery Shoppe WI.
USDA
Summit Meats
Science Hill, KY.
Keeters Meat Co.
Tulia, TX.
USDA
Mitchell’s Meat Processing
Walnut Grove, NC.
Whites Wholesale Meats
Ronan, MT.
Clay Co. Meat Processing
Henretta, TX.
Carters
Thacher, AZ.
Local Cuts
Zephyr, TX.
USDA
Country Market
Jerome, MI.
Duhon Processing
Leesville, LA.
Edes Meats
Amarillo, TX.
USDA
McLean Beef York, NE
Powell Meat Co. Clinton, MO.
Voiron’s Abattoir Greensburg, LA.
Olpe Locker Olpe, KS.
Huse’s
Malone, TX. U SDA
Wiley Processing
Special D Macon, MO.
Yoder Meats Yoder, KS.
USDA
Did we miss any? Email Mike Metcalfe at
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TRANSFER BY LEASE
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ITLA SHOW RULEBOOK
INTERNATIONAL TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS &
QUALIFYING REGIONAL AFFILIATE SHOWS
Revised January 2023
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2024
ITLA RULE BOOK
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