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The E-Drover
International Texas Longhorn Association Newsletter |
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| Official News from your ITLA |
Issue 1 - 2015
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Longhorn Sighting: National Western Stock Show, Denver CO
Texas Longhorns, belonging to past president and ITLA member Stan Searle, of Monument, Colorado, are the main attraction during the National Western Stock Show Parade. They made their way along 17th street in Denver, CO on January 9, 2014. The National Western Stock Show Kick-Off Parade featured Longhorn cattle herded through the streets of downtown Denver, along with bands, horses, floats, cowboys and rodeo queens.
Send us your favorite unique Longhorn photos!
We would love to share some of them here in the
ITLA's E-Drover.
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Wounded Warriors Love Longhorns
SEARLE RANCH, CO - Searle Ranch recently held their annual calf-working (branding and vaccination) and gathered ranch friends and neighbors, which has become a tradition.
This year's event featured the tremendous honor and treat of hosting a group from the Marine Wounded Warriors Regiment/Semper Fi fund, using horses provided by Billy Jack Barrett and the U.S. Air Force Academy Equestrian Center. The day began with the roundup and cattle drive from the ranch's north pasture to the working pens, where some 50 Texas Longhorn calves were branded and vaccinated (as a number of concerned moms monitored the situation from just outside the corral).
 The work session was followed by lunch featuring Searle Ranch grass-fed Texas Longhorn brisket and entertainment by the ever-revolving musical door known as Ashtōnz (Charlie Searle and Nathan Gillis along with guest musicians Marlene Reynolds, Gary Lake and Jeremiah Smith).
Kudos went to event organizer John Mayer, Mo Smith, Casey Fisher, the assembled Warriors from around the country (representing the states of New York, North Carolina, California, Missouri, Texas and Colorado, among others) and everyone involved for a very special day.
Pictured to the right are host Stand Searle, and VIP guests from the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment are Mo Smith, and organizer Col. John Mayer of Willow City, Texas. source: Searle Ranch Facebook
Editor: What a great way to honor our wounded warriors. Maybe you could host a similar event at your ranch this year! SEMPER FI! |
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G&
G & G Strong. It Will Continue
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Gary Lake Elected President of Mountain States Affiliate
By Randy Witte
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Gary Lake
President, MSTLA
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 Gary Lake was elected president of Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association at the MSTLA Christmas party and meeting in Palmer Lake, Colo., December 13. Gary has worked in the Longhorn industry for more than 35 years, beginning with the Dickinson Cattle Co. prior to the company's move to Ohio in 1997.
He is the man who trained the famous bull Zhivago to ride. Today he is a partner with Silverado Ranch / Searle Ranch, with Stan and Lorna Searle of Monument, Colorado. Gary is also well known throughout Longhorn circles for his expertise in livestock photography and for his entertaining and informative talks on "Predictable Genetics."
He continues to ram-rod crowd-pleasing Longhorn cattle drives through busy cities, and is respected as a cowboy who can always get the job done. He and his wife, Donna, live at Ellicott, Colo., east of Colorado Springs.
Other MSTLA officers and directors include Vice Pres. John Nelson of Wellington, Colo., Treasurer Darlene Nelson of Wellington, Secretary Katie Belle Miller of Peyton, Colo., plus directors, all Coloradans, Clyde Peek of Franktown, Art Caldwell of Canon City, Ron Jones of Salida, Josh Miller of Peyton, and J.R. Matott of Castle Rock.
The MSTLA is closely associated with Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association, the TLBAA affiliate. In fact most members belong to both affiliates. For that reason, both MSTLA and MPTLA presented a plaque of recognition and thanks to Gary Cole of Penrose, Colo., who is stepping back after a life-time of commitment to the Longhorn industry.
 Gary recently sold his riding steers-familiar at Longhorn shows and parades for many years-and he and his wife, Kay, are in "retirement mode." The plaque was presented to Gary at the opening of the MSTLA meeting by out-going MSTLA Pres. Clyde Peek and current MPTLA Pres. Kenny Richardson of Greeley, Colorado.
Topics discussed at the meeting included the National Western Texas Longhorn Show in Denver, Jan. 23-24, and the High Plains Texas Longhorn Sale in Fort Collins, Colo., April 18.
Consignments for registered cattle in the sale are due February 15. Forms and more information are available on the website:www.highplainslonghornsale.com. Contact persons are John and Darlene Nelson, Cloverbloom Ranch, 51361 Weld Co. Rd. 17, Wellington, CO 80549; or Darlene @jdncos.com; ph. 970-897-2444.
As incoming president, Gary Lake spoke to the gathering and outlined his agenda for the year.
"I see my job as encouraging vision and cooperation throughout the membership toward providing opportunities that relate to Texas Longhorn cattle," he said. "We as an association need to encourage the expansion of the Longhorn market in our local areas, provide support for individual breeders to improve the quality and success of their operations, and to make/keep the MSTLA an organization that considers the historic values of the American West, faith, family, fairness and honesty in business, plus the care and proliferation of the Longhorn breed."
The expansion of the Longhorn market depends on several things, he said.
"First, we need the help of all Longhorn breeders new and old in the Rocky Mountain area, which will require each of us to promote membership in our association. Second, we must continue to promote the value of the Longhorn both as a valuable commodity in the beef industry and as the ultimate western heritage in the pasture," he continued.
"Breeder support should be the motto of any breed association.... MSTLA must provide opportunities for new breeders to grow in knowledge and appreciation for the Longhorn, and encourage long-time operations to continue doing what they do best. Co-op marketing, showcase events and quality meetings with valuable seminars are just a few things that can help.
"Certainly the most important aspect of MSTLA has been and always should be the value that it places on family, friendships and helping each other be successful," he concluded.
Gary's future plans, while directed at those attending the meeting, might deserve consideration in other affiliates. He intends to institute a Top Herd award at the end of the year. Anyone in the region who wishes to host one of six affiliate meetings-and provide six of their top animals for members to judge during the meeting-will be in the running for the award. The highest composite score over the year will win the Top Herd award.
"The result should be an encouragement to all breeders to be a part of the MSTLA," he said. "It will encourage individuals to be correct judges of cattle, theirs and others, which will result in herd improvement across the board."
Gary Lake (left) posed with those who attended the December MSTLA meeting and Christmas party. Back row, from left, are Josh Miller, Jeff Widdows, Jordan Widdows, John Nelson, Clyde Peek, Kenny Richardson, Stan Searle, J.R. Matott and Norm Fillmore. Middle row, from left, are Katie Belle Miller, Barb Fillmore, Darlene Nelson, Karen Richardson, Kay Cole and Gary Cole. Seated, from left, are Donna Lake, Lana Pearson, Ginny Peek, Marsha Witte and Randy Witte. |
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Gary Don & Joanna Taylor 9314 220th St NE Okarche, OK 73762 405-919-5210
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At the December Mountain States Texas Longhorn Association meeting, a plaque of appreciation was presented to Gary Cole and his wife, Kay, by both MSTLA and the Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association, the TLBAA affiliate.
Gary has been active in both associations for many years, and is well known for his big riding steers and colorful opening ceremonies at Texas Longhorn shows and other events. He's retiring, now, and he and Kay plan to do some traveling. Making the presentation is out-going MSTLA Pres. Clyde Peek (left) and current MPTLA Pres. Kenny Richardson (right).
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Dodge City Days: They Got Their Cowboy and Longhorn Cattle Fix
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The Longhorns traveled from an Oklahoma ranch for the Dodge City cattle drive.. CASSANDRA FISHER DODGE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Tourists perching on folding camp chairs and locals standing on tailgates have staked out front-row seats for a spectacle: the first cattle drive down city streets in more than a century.
"I think the reason they are here is the same reason why a lot of people go to car races. I suspect everybody showed up to see a crash, but these boys out of Oklahoma know what they're doing. This isn't their first cattle drive," says Harris, whose stagecoach is leading the 2-mile cattle procession. Still, you never know exactly how livestock will react in an unfamiliar setting. "A Wal-Mart bag can blow across the road and you've got a rodeo," Harris says, admitting to feeling a little extra alert as he climbs onto the bench atop the stagecoach. When the 1,600-pound red-and-white-speckled steers spill out through the parking lot arch and onto the boulevard, they are moving faster than you would expect. You've got to jog a little to keep up with their walking pace. The Longhorns seem curious but unbothered as tourists lean in with camera phones in outstretched arms. Now and again the steers turn toward the curb and pause, as if posing for Instagrammers looking for the money shot of their horns, which span up to 7 feet tip-to-tip.  | |
CINDY HOEDEL
THE KANSAS CITY STAR
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One woman springs out of her chair when a Longhorn strides towards her. The steer takes a long slurp of water from a foam cup in the chair's cup holder, then rejoins the parade. Welcome to Dodge City Days.  | |
Kansas City Star video: Dodge City Days
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The cattle drive is a new addition to the 54-year-old event, which combines two earlier celebrations: the Boot Hill Fiesta and the Dodge City Roundup rodeo. Dodge City Days is already the second largest community festival in Kansas (after Wichita's Riverfest), drawing 100,000 visitors to more than 75 events over 10 days and generating $3 million for city businesses and organizations. But Boot Hill Casino, which opened in 2009, is placing a bet that bringing Longhorns back into Dodge could boost those numbers significantly. The casino shelled out a cool $100,000 to put on the cattle drive, which included appearances by three Hollywood actors: Buck Taylor, 76, who played Newly O'Brien on "Gunsmoke"; Johnny Crawford, 68, who played Mark McCain on "The Rifleman"; and Overland Park native and Shawnee Mission West grad John Lehr, 46, who stars in "Quick Draw," a Hulu original series set in Dodge City, now in its second season. Lehr had been on horses as a kid when visiting relatives in El Dorado, Kan., but he had a lot to learn when filming started for "Quick Draw," like how to gallop with one hand on the reins while shooting a pistol. Still, Lehr doesn't confuse his new riding abilities with real cattle work. At one point during the drive, as the Longhorns approach the 14th Avenue bridge over the Arkansas River bed (the river has been dry for years), several steers veer down a bank when they spy a stand of lush green grass.  | |
MICHAEL C. SNELL DODGE CITY CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU
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"That was where everybody could see very clearly the fake cowboys like me staying back and watching while the real cowboys got down to business," Lehr recalled later. "The kids were really surprised to see cattle on the street, so close up. They couldn't believe how huge the horns were," she says. A spokesman for the Boot Hill Casino, Ryan Deutsch, says 25,000 people watched the cattle drive, which the casino plans to make an annual event. "Dodge City is all about the cowboy. Paul Harvey used to say about cowboys that nobody ever lived that either wasn't one or didn't want to be one. And by cowboy, I include women. Kansas had a lot of famous women who rode and worked cattle."
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More Cattle Drives From Around the Country
Heavy traffic downtown: Cattle drive through downtown Marysville draws a large crowd - and keeps riders on their toes
by Andrew Creasey acreasey@appealdemocrat.com
A clang of metal pierced the air, and the heads of a dozen cattle drivers whipped towards the sound.
 | | Andrew Creasey/Appeal-Democrat |
About 2,000 pounds of a Texas longhorn cattle had trampled over a chain link fence and was stampeding through an open field near Riverfront Park.
For the cattle drivers, it was exactly what they did not want to see - the herd was fractured, and perhaps the biggest Longhorn in the bunch was running free.
In a flash, two riders kicked their horses into a gallop and shot after the stray cattle, lassos churning.
With shouts and calls, the cowboys cornered the steer and drove it back to the herd.
In less than a minute, the Longhorn was back in line.
"He's young. This weekend is his first cattle drive," Cindy Rosser explained later. "I guess he saw a spot to go and took off."
In that moment, it was clear why the cattle drive has been attracting onlookers for more than 40 years. But it also showed why cattle drives, as a practice, are slowly dying away.
The cattle drive on Saturday morning saw about 40 cattle, including longhorn cattle, driven through downtown Marysville and into pens at Cotton Rosser Pavilion in Riverfront Park. The event was part of the 81st annual Marysville Stampede.
The Texas Longhorns were a rare sight in California, Cindy said.
"They call them prehistoric cattle," Cindy said, pointing to the two long, slightly curved horns that project vertically from the cattle's skull.
As for driving the cattle, the basic theory is that the riders form a moving fence with their horses to keep the cattle on track and in line, Cindy said.
But as modern society churns forward and farming and ranching becomes more mechanized, the skills required for a successful cattle drive are becoming rare, Cindy said.
"You have to know how to rope and how to ride - it's a big undertaking," Cindy said.
Cindy's father, Cotton Rosser, remembered the days when the cattle drive was a four-day ordeal where the cattle were driven from Beale Air Force Base to downtown Marysville.
And while the drive isn't what it used to be, Cotton said he's going to continue to do it.
"We're trying to put Marysville and Yuba City on the map," Cotton said. "This town has so much history, and we need to keep it alive."
That would be good news to Pat Worth, who has watched the cattle drive for more than 10 years.
"It used to be a lot bigger, but it's still wonderful," Worth said. "I would love to see it continue. Where else are you going to see something like this?"
CONTACT reporter Andrew Creasey at 749-4780 and on Twitter @andrew_creasey. READ THE ARTICLE HERE
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Ranch Rodeo Kicks Off With Longhorns
Longhorns Mosey Through Downtown (Amarillo)
By Laura Ness laura.ness@amarillo.com
 | | Sean Steffen/Amarillo-Globe-News |
The Coors Cowboy Club wrangled 30 Texas Longhorn cattle up and down the streets of downtown Amarillo and to the Tri-State Fairgrounds on Thursday evening to kick off its Ranch Rodeo.
"Not many people have seen a cattle drive that live in this area," said Ed Montana, an original club member. "This is what Amarillo is!"
The cowboys guided the Longhorns past historic downtown sites as photographers took their best shots of the cattle drive for a chance to win a $1,000 prize.
Many children expressed excitement as the bovines made their way down city streets, while people walked out of downtown restaurants and shops to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.
"I thought it was a cool thing to be able to bring the kids out and let them actually see the longhorns up close," Sean Braselton said.
"It's kind of a glimpse into our past here in the Texas Panhandle."
The cowboys had to keep their eyes close to the wandering cattle. Some of the Longhorns got a little impatient, while other strayed from the herd to try to chomp a few plants. When the procession finally finished, the cattle were "talking" up a storm.
After getting some water, the Longhorns stuck around for a few more photos.
Montana said he thought the cattle drive offered a new experience for residents.
"There's a lot of people that live in Amarillo, Texas, that go to Palo Duro Canyon and say 'Wow I've never been here before,'" he said. "They've never seen a cattle drive, either!"
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
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Have you missed an e-Drover issue?
If you missed an article or needed to find the ad for sellers of high quality Longhorns, you can always check the archives of the e-Drover.
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Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale
makes history again!
 Last year, the Legacy Sale featured the first 90" Texas Longhorn ever sold
This year, the Legacy XI is proud to announce the youngest 90" Texas Longhorn ever sold!
WS Jamakism x TCC Snapshot
Consigned by Bill & Judy Meridith
Make sure you are at the 2015 Legacy Sale XI to see TCC Shutterbug and many others of the breed's finest Longhorn cattle when they are sold in the grand ballroom of the Embassy Suites Outdoor World in Grapevine, Texas.
March 13 - 14, 2015
For banquet tickets and other information regarding
contact the Legacy staff at:
thelegacysale@gmail.com 512-556-0300
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Chewing the Cud
For a couple of years I've been blaming it on lack of sleep and too much pressure from my job, but now I found out the real reason: I'm tired because I'm overworked.
The population of this country is around 237 million. 104 million are retired. That leaves 133 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school, which leaves 48 million to do the work. Of this there are 29 million employed by the federal government, leaving 19 million to do the work. 2.8 million are in the Armed Forces, which leaves 16.2 million to do the work.
Take from the total the 14,800,000 people who work for State and City Governments and that leaves 1.4 million to do the work. At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work. You and me. And you're sitting at your computer reading jokes!
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Click here to see the list of Events coming up this year!
Don't see your ITLA event listed?
Just drop us an email with all the details! Staff@itla.com
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 Thank you for your continued support of the International Texas Longhorn Association's E-Drover. The E-Drover remains one of the most cost effective ways to reach Registered Texas Longhorn cattle owners and enthusiasts.
Be sure to advertise your ranch, cattle and other special events.
For the Love of Longhorns,
Kevin Trigueiro
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