Sponsorships for the 2012 ITLA and TLMA Convention and Championship Show

HORN SPONSORS

Platinum Elite Horn Sponsor:  $4000 

 Platinum Horn Sponsor:  $2500

Golden Horn Sponsor:   $1000

Silver Horn Sponsor:    $500

CLASS SPONSOR

Regular Class $30

Championship $50

Overall Championship $100.00

CONVENTION BRAND T-SHIRT $30

2012

ITLA Convention and Championship Show

at the Texas Longhorn Extravaganza

Front Pasture Steers

Neighbors and visitors often ask me, "Why do you keep that big horned one over there?" My answer is that he is my front pasture steer. Visitors see him first and that always starts a conversation about the Texas Longhorn cattle that we love some much. Yes, he eats too much. Of course, he may seem a little intimidating at first. But until you own an animal that is as beautiful & smart, you just don't understand. A front pasture steer is a necessary addition to any Longhorn herd.

Old Blue may have walked the Chisholm Trail for years, but Homer, our very first steer, blazed his own trails in the Ozarks. Born in Maryland, Homer moved with our family to Missouri in 1993. For 19 years, he was the first to move when rotated to the next pasture at the Lucky Falling Star Ranch. He may not have been the herd sire, but he was certainly the herd leader.

When we had visitors to the ranch, Homer inevitably became the center of attention. His beautiful 104 inch total of full twist horns was hard to miss, but it was his puppy-dog like charm that ultimately won over our guests. Occasionally he would let someone sit on his back, but he would always stand for a photo opportunity.

The evening of Homer's last day, as I walked to the back pasture, I knew something was wrong. The whole herd was in a circle and pawing the ground. As I walked closer, the herd's bawling let me know what the problem was: in the center of the herd's circle, there Homer laid. Homer had passed. The herd was saying their last goodbyes.

As the sun rose the next morning, Homer's life cycle was complete, but life on the farm was starting over. A new bull calf was born during the night, and he just might be our next front pasture steer.

Don't tell me that these animals can't get to you. Our whole family from the Midwest to the East Coast was saddened by Homer's passing. He was and is part of the history of the Lucky Falling Star Ranch. As such, Homer will always be remembered on our beef business label. As of right now, Homer is in Washington D.C. lobbying for the approval of our label at the USDA offices.

So when you go to the pasture to check your herd and that one special bull calf comes up to you wanting attention, realize you just might be petting your next front pasture steer.

Click for MORE PICTURES

Everyone is home safe and sound, the certificates are hung and belts selected for the new buckles.  The show in Lawrenceburg was a huge success.  Many thanks to Ed Lewis and his family for chairing the event and also the many volunteers who stepped up and helped turn an empty shed into a show arena, handled the show details and ran our fund raising events....some special thanks should go to all three Covert families for designing and setting up the runways, stalls and arena, Mike Kindred for arranging for rental panels we needed, Jodi Small for managing the show, Glen Lechlitner for getting everyone their certificates, ribbons and other awards, Ed Covert for creating yet another beautiful buckle, all of our sponsors, vendors, fans and the families who showed cattle.  Also, thanks to Jesse Buckler for at the last minute taking over the photographer role for us.  Below is a link to the many "Canon Moments" she captured.

For those of you who couldn't make it, these pictures will show you what a good time you missed and no doubt have you ready to attend the next MTLA event.

MIDWEST TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION (MTLA) AFFILLIATE OFFERS MORE THAN BUCKLES

submitted by Steve Paloncy

The Midwest Texas Longhorn Association held its 3^rd Annual Qualifying Show on June 9^th in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Keith Scott of Andover, Ohio judged the show and went way beyond merely selecting the winners. The public and even longtime Longhorn breeders said they learned something from his wealth of knowledge.

Each year, members of the Midwest Texas Longhorn Association contribute their time, talents and knowledge of Longhorn cattle to make this a safe, fun and educational weekend for everyone. "It's truly a cooperative effort" said Ed Lewis from Milan Indiana the show chairman for the event, "everyone in our organization along with their families worked very hard to make it successful and fun weekend".

The show was a huge success and special thanks go out to:

Haag Ford of Lawrenceburg for sponsoring our show;

The Lewis family for hosting, soliciting sponsors and handling the arrangements;

Jim & Ed Covert for creating the arena, setting panels, arranging the sound system;

Mike Kindred for arranging for the many panels necessary and helping construct the arena;

Ed Covert for obtaining the Grand Champion belt buckles;

Judi Paloncy & Darla Rohr for organizing the silent auction;

Glen Lechlitner for creating and distributing all the awards;

Very special thanks to Jodi Small for at the last minute volunteering to keep all the official records;

Jesse Buckler for taking pictures and capturing all of our memorable "Canon" moments;

Gail Beach for opening the show riding her steer Clever Oliver;

Mike Tomey for his contribution as ringmaster keeping the show running smoothly;

All the ranches who brought cattle to show;

And all of the many people who purchased ads and contributed items to the silent auction. 

WINNERS IN THE MTLA QUALIFYING SHOW

YOUTH SHOW

Grand Champion All Age Female

Millstone's Calamity Jane owned by John Moore of Tomey Farms and shown by John Moore

Reserve Grand Champion

          BMF Blue Frost owned by Tomey Farms and shown by John Moore

Grand Champion All Age Bull

          Trip Over owned by Tomey Farms and shown by John Moore

Reserve Grand Champion

          Choices Mighty Moe owned by Tomey Farms and shown by John Moore

HALTERED SHOW

Grand Champion All Age Female

Marshall's Pro owned by Tomey Farms and shown by Matt Tomey

Reserve Grand Champion

          Juma Streak owned by Tomey Farms and shown by Courtney Tomey

Grand Champion All Age Bull

          Jet's Ignitor owned by JS Longhorns and shown by Jim Covert

Reserve Grand Champion

          DWM Terminal Velocity owned by Betterton's Springhill Farm and shown by David Moore

Grand Champion All Age Steer

          LPA Sir Black Knight owned by Barry & Vickie Elam, shown by Barry Elam

Reserve Grand Champion

          AA Clever Oliver owned by Gail Beach and shown by Gail Beach

NON-HALTERED SHOW

Grand Champion All Age Female

FGR Sunny's Britches owned by Covert Longhorns

Reserve Grand Champion

          HL Lucky Lucille owned by Hudson Longhorns

MIDWEST TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION (MTLA) AFFILIATE CONDUCTS CATTLE EVALUATION CLINIC

To help members prepare for the upcoming MTLA and International shows this season, members of the Midwest Texas Longhorn Association met to examine the breed standards published by the ITLA. The idea being that better understanding of what the show committee felt were important traits would help members select cattle to show and begin breeding to those standards by selecting desirable bulls and cows to improve the herd.

The group picked the hottest day of the year thus far, in a remote uncovered location under the

Glen Lechlitner shows off the Schrade Texas Longhorn commemorative knife presented as a thank you for his years as president of the MTLA

May sun to hold their get together. In a pasture provided by members Darla Rohr and Mike Kindred of Cloverdale, IN, the group circled their trucks and listened intently while Ed Covert from Bethel, OH carefully reviewed each individual trait of a Texas Longhorn. Ed was selected to head this program due to his many years of raising Longhorns so the day was called "Covert Operations"

After reviewing the traits of a Longhorn, members were given score sheets and went around to evaluate 6 cows at different stations. When everyone was finished, scores were compared. The idea was not to see who had the best cow or who judged the best but to find how their scores varied and what each person thought of the animal.

The new thinking of the ITLA is that judging must be of the whole animal. The show committee has determined the importance of each trait and the scoring points determine the standards of the breed. MTLA members will be better prepared when they select cattle to show this year thanks to the efforts of fellow member Ed Covert.

Above, Ed Covert reviews breed standards for MTLA members at a recent meeting

Above, Judi Paloncy (Perrysville IN) and Gail Beach (Huntington IN) listen as breed standards are presented.

ALL ROADS lead to Ohio River Valley Texas Longhorn Assn. Show located at Croton Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Croton (Hartford), OH 43013. Judge Gary Bruch is presiding Judge on July 14.

Centrally located in Ohio and a countryside location, Croton (Hartford)  makes a great place for the 15th annual show. Bovine Bingo tickets with Kylie's Landing providing the "Golden Drop" to determine her new home. For questions or Kylie's Landing tickets call Ed Callan, 740-745-3348.

Many new and potentially new Longhorn breeders came to the ORVTLA booth at the Ohio Beef Expo.

A ranch get-together, pot-luck and meeting is planned for Sept. 15, 2012 at Morris Cattle Co. 32264 S.R. 541, Walhonding, OH, 43843.

Nelson, Witte Top Mountain States Show

The 17th annual Heart of the Rockies Texas Longhorn Show, held last month near Colorado Springs, CO, provided an opportunity for breeders young and old to enjoy all the social aspects that go along with watching a display of great cattle.

The venue, just east of the Black Forest, is within a couple miles of the old Goodnight-Loving cattle trail, where Texas Longhorns first made an appearance in the area well over a century ago. Sponsored by ITLA affiliate Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association, the show offered an indoor arena at Latigo Equestrian Center, complete with good pens, plenty of fresh water and complimentary hay for arriving cattle.

Futurity and Trailblazer Judge Nik Nikodym

Once the cattle were settled, the night before the show, the participants adjourned for a beef-dinner picnic. The show started at 11 a.m. next day with the ever popular heifer futurity, the only show event that offers a cash payback in two classes, one for junior heifers and one for seniors. Judge for the futurity was veteran Longhorn breeder Dave "Nik" Nikodym of Newcastle, OK.

Nik and his wife, Kim, are both Commanders in the United States Navy, and they raise Texas Longhorn cattle at their Commanders Place Longhorns, located about 20 minutes south of Oklahoma City. Commander Nikodym has spent his career in the Navy mostly at sea, serving aboard a variety of ships and "driving" both submarines and the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln. But Longhorn cattle are his avocation and he relishes placing a class of good cattle and then telling you "why."

Six junior heifers (yearlings) were shown, and the first-place winner was a red-and-white heifer named River Dancer (by Mile High 3-1 and out of Café Rio), owned by Clyde and Virginia Peek of Franktown, CO. First in the senior heifer class was I'm a Hossy (by Smooth Miles, a Mile Marker son, and out of Sweet Hussy), owned by Randy and Marsha Witte of Peyton, CO. This first-calf heifer was shown with a striking Top Caliber bull calf at side. Each first-place winner was paid $250. Second-place winners received $125.

HOTR Chairman Clyde Peek, presenting Trailblazer Champion Buckle toJustin Johnson of Ellicott, Colorado.

Nik Nikodym also judged the Trailblazer classes, a competition for breeders who have been in the business for six years or less. Champion Trailblazer was 24-year-old Justin Johnson of Ellicott, CO. Clyde and Virginia Peek, last year's Trailblazer winners, took reserve this time.

The qualifying open show kicked off at noon, following the Trailblazer classes, and this portion of the Heart of the Rockies was judged by Gary Bruch of Strong City, KS. Gary is an ITLA past president. He and his wife, Brenda, enjoyed a mini-vacation in conjunction with his show-judging responsibilities. They rode the cog railroad to the top of 14,110-foot Pikes Peak, and also explored the depths of the Royal Gorge, along the Arkansas River, aboard the Royal Gorge Route Scenic Railroad.

Gary always shows a real passion for Texas Longhorns during his remarks while placing a class, and his reasons for the placing are invariably interesting and informative.

Open Show Results

Champion Junior Heifer was Lady Mile Maker, by Smooth Miles and out of Mile High Lady. She's owned by Randy and Marsha Witte. Reserve Champion Junior Heifer was Mile High Molly, who was by Mile High 3-1 and out of Good Golly, and owned by Clyde and Virginia Peek.

Awards for senior heifer also went to the Wittes for I'm A Hossy. Smokin' Dot, a heifer bred by Jim and Betty Civis of Lamar, CO, was reserve.

Junior Cow Champion was RRR Miss Anna 809, by WS Road to Prediction and out of Arazi Appeal, and owned by John and Darlene Nelson of Wellington, CO. Reserve was Shadow Dancer, owned by Wittes.

Senior Cow Champion was Doherty's Trace 698/12 by Raley FJD and out of Lorna's Lady JW. Sassy Sabrina, owned by J.R. Ford of Pagosa Springs, CO, was reserve.

Overall Grand Champion Cow was Doherty's Trace 698/12, owned by the Nelsons. Reserve was Lady Mile Maker.

Six year old, Doherty's Trace 698/12, took Grand Champion All-Age Female of the show. She is owned and exhibited by John and Darlene Nelson's Cloverbloom Ranch of Wellington, CO.

Bull winners were as follows. Hero, a Top Caliber son out of Bladed Lady shown by Randy and Marsha Witte, was Grand Champion. 

Show Chairman Clyde Peek (Right) is shown handing a check to Randy and Marsha Witte, for taking first place in a futurity class. The couple also took Grand Champion Bull honors with their Bull, Hero, who is out of Top Caliber and Bladed Lady.

Reserve was Vato, owned by Clyde and Virginia Peek, a blue bull by Mile High 3-1 and out of Ebony. An impressive, flat-horned steer named Henry was Grand Champion of the show. He's owned by Barnes/Searle partnership, and is a Shadowizm-bred steer born in 2004.

Reserve went to Homer, a 2010 model by JR Grand Slam, owned by Wittes. 

Henry, by Shadowizm out of Country D'Lyte was the winner of the Grand Champion Steer, owned by the Barnes/Searle partnership. Stan and Lorna Searle of Monument are pictured here (right), accepting the trophy on behalf of the partnership, presented by HOTR Chairman, Clyde Peek (on the left). The eight year-old steer's horns measure 88 inches tip-to-tip.

Show chairmen were Clyde and Virginia Peek, with assistance from Justin Johnson. A total of 8 exhibitors provided 46 entries for this year's show. John Nelson served as announcer and Darlene Nelson was show secretary.

 Dont' Miss Out on... 

 Creating A Customer File

Developing a Market Plan

Profiting From Print Advertising

Developing a Profitable Ad

Generating Profitable Sales

Salesmanship - The Competitive Edge

Developed by the International Texas Longhorn Association 2007. Concepts by Diana Miltimore, Charlene Semkin, Stan Searle, Darol Dickinson, and Larry Smith II.

Send $8 plus $1 for postage.

International Texas Longhorn Association
 PO Box 2610

Glen Rose, Texas 76043

254-898-0157
   

2012 Dual Registration Sale

Offer Extended to December 31, 2012

You can register cattle of any age (that are already registered with another registry) for these Special Low Rates all year long!

DUAL REGISTRATION Discount Rates (Cattle of Any Age)

1-24 ....................................$ 8.00

25-99 ...................................$ 6.00

100+ ....................................$ 4.00

 

*To have your Longhorn's picture on the certificate, simply email a cropped photo (5" x 7.5") in 100 dpi-as an attachment-to photos@itla.com and we'll do the rest.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

For questions or assistance with any registrations

call Robin or Trish at: 254-898-0157

Email us: staff@itla.com

____________________________________________________

Make your check payable to ITLA and mail to: ITLA, PO Box 2610, Glen Rose, TX 76043