By Randy Witte

Five new show judges were approved by the International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA) board of directors.  The process is an effort to bring uniformity to Texas Longhorn cattle judging, so judges learn to identify and properly rate those breed characteristics important to modern breed standards. 

To earn a spot on the ITLA list of judges, applicants must attend at least one of the association's judging seminars, serve as an apprentice judge under an ITLA judge during a show, and be approved by the board of directors. This year five newly-certified judges will join the ranks of being ITLA certified, and they include Nelson Hearn of Richland, PA, Matthew Menchaca of Brenham, TX, Jim Pruett of Pauls Valley, OK, Billy Thompson of Clyde, TX, and Toni Knopsnider of Acme, PA.

Nelson Hearn

Nelson Hearn and his wife, Tammy, had a herd of Holsteins they were milking. All was well till Nelson injured his back and subsequently determined that milking cows was not helping the chronic back pain.

"We wanted something different in cattle, but what?" Nelson recalled. A friend suggested they try raising Texas Longhorns. Tammy wasn't sure at first. But five years ago she and Nelson attended the annual Cherry Blossom sale-and came home with three head. Not long after, it was Tammy who suggested they sell all the Holsteins and replace them with Longhorns.

They decided to buy top-of-the line cattle, Nelson said, and today their herd is steeped in Sitting Bull progeny. They show their cattle throughout the northeast, are members of the Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance, the ITLA, TLBAA, and Millinium Futurity. They sent a representation of their breeding to the 2012 World Championship Show in Oklahoma City and did well with them.

The Hearns couldn't be more enthusiastic about the breed, and along the way Nelson decided he wanted to be a judge, as well as showman and breeder. He'll be at the McKinney, TX, show in April, with judge's card in hand.

 Jim Pruett

Jim Pruett and his wife, Mary, are at home in Pauls Valley, OK, a stone's throw from Wynnewood, OK, home of the late Eddie Wood, the beloved Texas Longhorn breeder and auctioneer. Eddie Wood got Jim into Texas Longhorns eight years ago, but didn't stop there.

"He also got me interested in auctioneering, cattle judging, and even into raising and showing Catahoula Leopard dogs!" Jim laughed.

Jim and Mary had run a herd of commercial cattle prior to all this, but were ready for a change when they started in the Texas Longhorn business with a Beutler Bull to go with some nice cows. Subsequent bloodlines have included Rio Grande and Bo Jangles, and the Pruetts couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Jim said his doctor had advised him to watch his diet when it came to eating red meat, as a guard against too much fat and cholesterol.

"I showed him the statistics on eating good, lean Longhorn beef," Jim said. The doctor told him, 'In that case, eat all you want of that kind of beef."

  Toni Knopsnider

Toni Knopsnider and her husband, Dru, live at Acme, PA, and are carrying on a tradition involving 4-H and livestock judging, something Toni has been involved with all her life. Her showing experience includes horses and dairy cattle, and while she "always admired Texas Longhorns," she didn't have quite the place for them until about four years ago.

Today, she says, she and Dru really enjoy their Longhorn cattle. She continues to help the New Horizons 4-H judging team, assists the kids with shows and clinics, and looks forward to judging ITLA Texas Longhorn shows in the future.

What she probably enjoys more than anything about her involvement with the Longhorn cattle, she says, "are the people involved with this breed. What a good group of people!"

 Billy Thompson

Billy Thompson of Clyde, TX, grew up in the Goldwaithe area showing cattle, goats and pigs. But the Texas Longhorns really captured his fancy in later years and he has become a champion of the breed.

Billy has raised these cattle for more than ten years, and along the way has volunteered to help put on Longhorn shows and clinics, especially when it comes to helping youth with their cattle.

Billy is well versed in the traits that good Longhorn cattle possess. He takes his judging responsibilities seriously, of course, and that includes the reasons he gives for placing a class, lauding qualities of the top winners but always looking for something good to say about the last-place finisher.

Matthew Menchaca

The fifth judge to be certified by ITLA in 2012 is Matthew Menchaca of Brenham, TX, who has shown cattle since 1999 and has a lot of experience at judging, too.

"I worked cattle shows for other breeds with Sam Houston State University," Matt noted. "Bill Henderson is my grandfather, so I learned a lot from him; however, we see differently on a few things."

Matt offered some insight into what he looks for when judging a class. For cows: He puts a lot of emphasis on structural soundness, "how the animal walks out, how the animal's feet and legs are aligned, hooks to pins," he said.

For bulls: In addition to having two testicles, a bull should also have overall masculinity and structural soundness. "A bull that has trouble walking will not be a very good herd sire," he added.

Matt likes steers that have good horn growth and plenty of color. "But still, structural soundness is a big key for me," he said, "the conformation of the steer has got to be there."

Regional Shows and the International Championship Show were created by the International Texas Longhorn Association BOD as marketing tools to promote and exhibit the finest quality Texas Longhorn cattle. The ultimate goal is to not only produce professional exhibitors, but also to produce good, sound, structurally correct cattle that will compete in the sale ring, on the range and in the show ring. The show ring is a tool to enlighten cattle people to the many true qualities of Texas Longhorn cattle, create marketing opportunities and reward superior cattle.

 Judges will be chosen from the International Texas Longhorn Association list of approved judges. The approved judges list will be made available to all sponsoring groups upon request and is also available on-line at the ITLA web site. (www.itla.com).

  Each new prospective judge will be required to attend a judging clinic and to serve as an apprentice judge with an ITLA experienced judge before his/her first official show. Other requirements may be added from time to time by the ITLA BOD.

A review clinic attendance is recommended for each judge every two years as a continuing education. Other continuing education for approved judges includes active participation in the Texas Longhorn industry, frequent attendance at shows and sales. Approved judges shall be aware of cattle current values for considerations in class placements.

On February 16 the first part of an ITLA Webinar will be conducted via high speed internet. This will be live on-line presentations, power point, questions, answers and illustrations by a team of current approved judges. Each current judge can do their two year review, new prospective judges can participate as well as ITLA members or non-members interested in expanding their knowledge of Texas Longhorn judging. The second half day session is on the next Saturday, February 23. 

In the ITLA Webinar people can participate in every country by previously enrolling with ITLA. The Webinar will be available at a small fee and the ITLA Judges Manual will be provided at no charge. The number of participants is unlimited and each person may be able to text the presenters during the program. It will be a two part program of 4 hours each. Illustrations will include over 300 close up anatomy teaching graphics.

More information will be available soon as technical procedures and programs are purchased. This is the first worldwide judging Webinar of it's kind in the cattle industry. ITLA continues to improve the show system, to improve consistency, professionalism and concise procedures.

Registration deadline is February 8

Call the Office for More information or to Register @ 254-898-0157

Visit www.ITLA.com

... If you missed it...or just wanted to see it again, here's the intro to the Breakfast of Champions, along with a reel of candids, taken from ITLA members around the country. Enjoy!

ITLA Breakfast of Champions_Intro America the Beautiful

 

ITLA Breakfast of Champions - Ranch Candids from ITLA Member websites