The Drover
OCTOBER
THE IT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW & CONVENTION
OCTOBER 7-11 2026
THE HEART OF OKLAHOMA EXPO CENTER
SHAWNEE OKLAHOMA
The Cowboy’s Life
Charles A Johnson
The cowboy's life is such a life that most can't understand.
Whether riding bik ld i k k hing calves to brand.
The thought o t some might hate.
They've just neve gard or George Strait.
Songs of r n a smokey bar.
They tell of love, reams from the guitar.
The man wh g and empty sky, Where he he eagle's cry.
Flying alon he wants to be,
It's times like eels like to be free.
But, wi oy is alone, and has wberry roan.
He'll dally ore he is done, and h moving on.
Yet in the end he'll be alone coffee in his hand squattin' by the campfire, in that chilly lonely land.
BRAD WESTMORELAND PRESIDENT www gangof5longhorns com 214 287-2303
REGION 3 tomeyfarms@yahoo com 812-583-4622
joel d@texaslonghorn com 240-446-9950
AT LARGE #2 gary@searleranch.com 719-314-8294 DIRECTOR AT LARGE #1 larrypsmith2@yahoo.com 254-396-9185
REGION 5 victoryranchlonghorns@gmail.com 208-428-2484 SHADOW
REGION 6 ckroeker5536@gmail com 620-285-5536
REGION 4 tcasey357@gmail com 719-650-5234
com 254-396-9185 MICHA HAMERSKY REGION 1 contact@texaslonghorn.at
JEREMY JOHNSON REGION 8 dosninosranch@gmail com 210-413-2105
The ITLA
A B R E I F H I S T O RY
To conceive and maintain an organized group is no small feat in any situation; to create one that can survive for years and not only survive but still be growing and thriving is even more of an achievement to be proud of. The ITLA is celebrating its thirtyfifth year this year; in honor of this let us take a look at where it all began. After all, even as we move forward and continue to grow, we should always remember where we came from and how it all began.
In early January of 1990 an organizational meeting was held in Dallas/Fort Worth. Later in the year, on March 9 , 1990 to be exact, a workshop was held in Austin, Texas and it was there that the ITLA was officially formed. Jerry Williams, Bill Anthony, Happy Shahan, Stan Searle and Pat Holt made up the Steering committee. Committees were formed and each of these members took on th a leadership role within the newly formed association. Pat Holt was put in charge of by-laws, Stan Searle took on the role of promotion and advertising while Jerry Williams took on membership. Bill Anthony took care of registrations and transfers and last, but not least, Carroll Shores was in charge of show systems.
Jerry Williams’ office in Austin became the first headquarters and Jerry was the first President, Executive Director, Registrar and wore whatever other hat was handed to him when it came to this job. He did all this at no cost to the association.
Today, the ITLA calls Glen Rose, Texas home. The ITLA membership headquarters sits on land which was graciously donated by longtime Longhorn breeder and ITLA member Larry P. Smith. ITLA has grown from its very humble beginnings into a successful and productive Texas Longhorn Breed registry.
The success of the association is in great part due to the fact that the leadership remained focused on the principles that were put in place when the association was founded. The ITLA was set to be member focused and member driven as an association. The members elect their President and Vice President by mail in voting. When it comes to the direction that the association takes as it moves forward the members have a major say.
On October 25 , 1990, the first show and convention was held in Austin, Texas. The first elected President was Bill Anthony; Vice President, Jerry Williams and Stan Searle, treasurer. At the time of this convention the ITLA had amassed 413 members, 99 of which were lifetime members. By the end of that year membership had reached 500. th
In 2023 the ITLA’s membership had grown to over 3000 plus members and includes many international members in several countries. The Annual Show and Convention still takes place every October and draws in anywhere from 500 to 800 entries from across the country. Exhibitors bring their best cattle to compete for the title of ITLA International Champion.
ITLA continues to provide quality services and support to the members. The annual show now includes a Youth Show, Halter Open Show, Non-Haltered Show and Futurity. Educational seminars are held for adults and fun activities are planned for the kids. The annual ITLA Queen, ITLA Princess and ITLA Little Miss contest takes place during the Championship Show and these talented young ladies represent the ITLA at various events throughout the year. The event is capped off with the awards banquet, dinner and live auction.
The ITLA Judges Clinic, which is a requirement for all ITLA approved Judges, is still being held but now has a modern twist. In keeping up with the times, the clinic is now held online annually. Members who are interested in learning more about our Longhorn Cattle breed can sign up to attend this class from anywhere. The class has attendees from all across the United States and around the world. The ITLA has set the standard for qualified Texas Longhorn Cattle Judges.
-ITLA PAST PRESIDE
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!
MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP/EVENTS COMMITTEE
Chair: Gary Lake – (719) 314-8294
Jason & Barb Pshigoda - (806) 228-3100
Matt Marti - (806) 420-3779
FUTURITY COMMITTEE
Chair: John Oliver - (832)768-0430
Russ Thompson - (940)245-1411
COMPUTER COMMITTEE
Chair: Craig Perez - (979) 906-0043
Brad Westmoreleand
Micha Hamersky
Kirk Dickinson
JUDGES APPROVAL/SELECTION COMMITTEE
Chair: Mike Tomey - (812) 583-4622
Joel Dickinson - (740) 359-0663
Lizz Huntzberry Fosheim - (240) 291-1958
AFFILIATES COMMITTEE
Chair: Joel Dickinson - (740) 359-0663
Shadow Seaman - (208) 420-2484
BEEF COMMITTEE
Chair: Travis J. Casey - (719) 650-5234
Craig Kroeker - (620) 285-5536
BY-LAWS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Chair: Brett Kot - (306) 861-1526
Brad Westmoreland - (214) 287-2303
YOUTH COMMITTEE
Chair: Meagan Minchew - (817) 946-6800
Bonnie & Shadow Seaman - (208) 420-2484
Anne Westmoreland - (214) 287-2303
SHOW RULES COMMITTEE
Co-Chair: John Oliver - ( 972) 268-0083
Co-Chair: Larry Smith - (254) 396-9185
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS COMMITTEE
Chair: Justin Sabio - (940) 902-3244
Pam Kinsel Hughes - (254) 485-4269
Brad Westmoreland - (214) 287-2303
The Untold Early History of the Famous Fort Worth Herd
By: Darol Dickinson
In 1948 or thereabouts, my dad, Frank Dickinson, took me to the Fort Worth Stockyards. I was a little bare-footed kid walking the bricks of a world-class stockyard where millions of cattle had trod. It seemed big, like the whole world was filled with cattle and tall wooden corrals To the east were two processing plants, Swift and Armor, also world-class Large ranches shipped train car loads of cattle to Fort Worth to sell for either processing or breeding stock. Thousands of cattle moved through these yards weekly. The stockyards were a beehive of activity.
Dad worked as a salesman for the Nord-Hutchins Commission Company. Ranchers sent herds of cattle, consigning them to their most trusted commission company Over 100 of these companies handled the private-treaty sales of millions of cattle. Dad would sort out a load, some of which would be sold to the packing plants and go up the big east ramp to their final service to humanity.
Bred cows had different values, so Dad would "bump" them to determine pregnancy Those would sell for breeding stock if they were useful He would "mouth" them to determine age, then decide what they were worth and who of his clients might want this inventory. The sorting for values was Dad's job. Getting the sort right was a very important service for the cattle owners and something Nord-Hutchins Commission Company was known for doing well.
As a little kid, my memory is stretching I recall a red-rock office building on the north side of the yards where we entered I liked to run the overhead walkways overlooking the waiting herds. There were no large pot semis or gooseneck trailers -- that was before their time.
Things changed. Just a few miles south at Burleson, a state-of-the-art livestock auction facility was built on the west side of old Highway 81. Competing livestock auctions sprouted up in ranching areas everywhere until the volume for Swift, Armor, and the Fort Worth Stockyards dwindled down to a few hundred acres of splinter-filled wooden corrals aging in the hot Texas sun. The fame and fortune that cattle brought to north Texas seemed to be a thing of the distant past, gone forever.
Famous saddle makers located on North Main Street--Leddys, L. White, and Ryans-dribbled from a stampede of cowhands buying gear to more of a tourist attraction for people who liked the smell of new leather
Many tried to resurrect the Stockyards area, but even then, crime was rampant every night. The excitement and western romance were gone. The cattle were gone. The adrenaline was gone.
Originally settled in 1849 as an Army outpost along the Trinity River, Fort Worth was one of eight forts assigned to protect settlers from Indian attacks in the surrounding area
The cattle industry was king for a generation of people working the Fort Worth leg of the historic Chisholm Trail, which ran from the 1860s to the 1870s.
Fort Worth became the heart of the State's ranching commerce when the Texas & Pacific Railway arrived in 1876. The railroad made the area a very important livestock center. In the years that followed, a city grew where an Army camp once stood In 1887, the Union Stockyards were chartered in Fort Worth, which had earned the nickname "Cowtown" for its volume handling of livestock.
Fort Worth Union Stockyards opened for business on January 19, 1890, covering 206 acres. The Fort Worth Stockyards Company was created in 1893.
The first five decades of the 20th century were the most successful for the company. During World War I, foreign governments purchased draft animals, making Fort Worth the largest horse-and-mule market in the world In 1944, sales exceeded 5 million head of livestock. Mules were shipped by boat across the oceans, standing tied for weeks--they can do that.
Fast forward a half-century to 1998 to the International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA), with headquarters back then on the west side of Fort Worth. It was searching for creative ways to promote Texas Longhorns with public events, field days, and educational programs Spurred by ITLA’s past-president Joe Valentine and then-current president Darol Dickinson, a downtown Drovers Cattle Drive right through Fort Worth was organized.
City fathers were not so confident about this new crazy idea. Valentine assured them the Texas Longhorns would be handled professionally and do no damage to the city. Still, they had visions of wild-eyed steers flying through storefront windows with death and destruction rampant in every direction. With more of Valentine’s persistent persuasion, however, they agreed--but ITLA had to purchase a major insurance policy to cover all anticipated damages.
The ITLA Board of Directors was solidly behind this high-risk promotion. On Memorial Day weekend 1998, after months of planning, loads of steers and saddle horses came in from several states. The herd gathered just north of the Fort Worth skyscrapers and west of the Trinity River Railroad Trestle Bridge Ron Marquess of Ben Wheeler, TX, had loaded and delivered trailers of big-horned steers before dawn Ron and his crew slept in their trucks awaiti and R. D. Ba n the "stam
Ron Marquess organized his crew to haul in 47 steers, plus horses to do the ITLA first Drovers Cattle Drive through Fort Worth on Memorial Day, 1998.
To say this was exciting would be an understatement. Two of the city councilmen watched from a safe distance, including Steve Murrin, the unofficial mayor of the Fort Worth Stockyards. I went ahead of the herd to photograph this historical event -- the first trail drive like this through Fort Worth since the 1880s
As the steer herd settled and pointed east, some horses were a little jumpy, not totally ready for this up-town event. The first obstacle was moving the herd under the Trestle Bridge, when all of a sudden, chugging down the track came the regularly scheduled train, banging, clanking, and whistling along. Everyone expected the worst, but the calm steers quietly moseyed along parallel to the Trinity River.
The first-only ITLA Drovers Cattle Drive lasted over an hour. It went without a hitch, winding around the Trinity Valley and on to the Stockyards corrals. People came from everywhere, rubber-necking and taking photos along Exchange Avenue. It was stunning. The crowd had never seen anything like this.
After the steers were corralled and munching on some new green hay, an 1880s costume event took place with food and fixings for all. The councilmen, including Murring, attended. Valentine and I proposed to the city leaders that a daily Texas Longhorn drive down Exchange Avenue would be the greatest tourism event of all times. Fort Worth--"cow town"--had lost its steam. The cattle were gone and the yards were rotting. This drive would be the resurrection Fort Worth needed. We thought this was a no-brainer, but the Council had reservations about financing, liability, and numerous other concerns.
The following day, the Fort Worth Star Telegram and local TV stations sent out positive news covering this first trail drive organized by ITLA. There was national recognition. With no broken windows, all was well.
Over a year passed It appeared all was forgotten--and then it happened On June 12, 1999, the Fort Worth Herd made its debut ITLA had been working behind the scenes for members to donate big steers to the project From the downtown Fort Worth Convention Center, 15 donated steers were driven to the Stockyards Thousands of enthusiastic spectators watched these historic beasts saunter through the center of town, cheering excitedly and taking photos at every corner
The big steers quietly prissed along the brick drover route down Exchange Avenue to the Stock Yards corrals No broken glass, no horses bucked anyone off, all went well
Today and every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on East Exchange Avenue, the Old West comes to life before your very eyes during the world's only twice-daily cattle drive Real cowhands in period dress move Texas Longhorns down East Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards National Historic District.
This tourism experience offers an unforgettable glimpse deep into the past. You'll hear the jingle of spurs, the cattle bawling, and the rhythm of the hooves. As the steers pass, a bygone era again comes to life
Now, 23 years after the inaugural ITLA Texas Longhorn Drover event, the Fort Worth Herd is the second-most-popular tourism attraction in the state of Texas Big-eyed afficionados of the West come from all over the world to watch real, live Texas Longhorns
1880s
Heatherly and past ITLA President Larry P Smith II, donated Valentino to the Fort Worth Herd in 2011, and now Boots is their twice daily star, and younger replacement donated steer.
The
dress 'after the drive dinner' L to R - Dr Gene Hightower, Lana Hightower, Anne and Gary Henry and Darol Dickinson
ITLA Beef Committee Sign Up Form
Ranch Name: ITLA# : Address:
Phone:
Email: Website:
1.) Is your ranch-raised beef 50 or 100% Longhorn Beef?
2.) If your beef processed through a USDA inspected processor & labeled with USDA inspected labels?
*Any other information that beef consumers need can be obtained by the customer by contacting the beef producer. The ITLA is simply an avenue for beef consumers to help locate Longhorn Beef Producers in their area and for Longhorn Beef Producers to help find new customers.
Happy ITLA Queen people. Because family of part of their love of the stop loving down; but to accelerate and expand in the ways that we reach and touch other people’s lives by these animals. for entrusting me with being a leader and example as Queen this year. I hope that I made you all proud. been such an honor and blessing.
Directors, you you are serving the ITLA and doing my best to lead my herds in the best way possible. this year. I am very proud of you two. looking forward to seeing you shine!
Evelyn Miner
2025 ITLA Little Miss
Hi, this last month was our last ‘local’ show before the end of year convention in Texas. I was able to see Larry and Heatherly Smith and Alyssa Butler who came all the way to Maryland to judge at the Maryland State Fair. The next weekend we traveled to Culpeper, Va for the G&G Fall Classic where the NETLA youth did the food stand and it was a great success with generous donations. It was a nice wrap-up to our showing season.
This is going to be my last letter and it has been an honor to represent ITLA as 2025 Miss ITLA Lil Miss. I’ve grown a lot in the past year and learned it is okay to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. Ev every minute of it.
I am so excited for the ITLA Conven for all ages like team judging, corn ho there!
-ITLA Executive Board OATH-
M E A T P
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
307 Meats
Laramie, WY
Country Market
Jerome, MI.
Duhon Processing
Leesville, LA.
Powell Meat Co. Clinton, MO.
Olpe Locker
Olpe, KS.
Huse’s Malone, TX. U SDA
Edes Meats
Amarillo, TX.
USDA
McLean Beef York, NE
Voiron’s Abattoir Greensburg, LA.
Special D Macon, MO.
Yoder Meats Yoder, KS.
USDA
LISTOFAFFILIATES
BEST OF TRAILS TLA
President: John Dvorak
CANADIAN TLA
President: Brett Kot
CHISHOLM TRAIL TLA
President/Vice President/
Secretary/Treasurer
Danielle Mershon
GREAT LAKES TEXAS TLA
President: Johnny Hicks
INDIAN TERRITORY TLA
President: Josh Dinwiddie
GREAT LAKES TLA
President: Josh Shaw
MIDWEST TLA
President: Phil Dickey
MOUNTAIN STATES TLA
President: Gary Lake
NORTHEAST TLA
President: John Moxley
OHIO RIVER VALLEY TLA
President: Doug Burris
TLA OF ONTARIO
President: Clarence Deekens
TOP OF THE WEST TLA
President: Amber Sluder
ALBERTA TLA
President: Cody Bailey
BRAZILIAN TLA
Email: johndvorak25@gmail.com
Cell: 620-382-7103
Email: office@ctlalonghorns.com
Cell: 306-861-1526
Email: danielle@whistlingtxlonghorns com
Cell: 254-630-0053
Email: hicksamericanbulldogs@yahoo.com
Cell: 269-721-3473
Email: plaindirtfarms@gmail.com
Cell: 580-812-2436
Email: gltexaslonghorns@gmail.com
Cell: 616-212-8226
Email: Phil.Dickey@yahoo.com
Cell: 765-481-9113
Email: gary@searleranch.com
Cell: 719-314-8294
Email: crosswrenchranch@msn.com
Cell: 240-446-9950
Email: dougburris45@gmail.com
Cell: 740-680-5973
Email: cdeekens@tcc.on.ca
Cell: 519-524-0042
Email: McMurdoCVT@aol.com
Cell: 208-720-5732
Email: codybailey1122@outlook.com
Cell: 780-352-6144
Email: paulo@zdalimento.com.br
President: Mr. Paulo S Z Dedemo paulo@grupozda.com.br
Pres Herd Book: Humberto Nombre, DVM MS (English)
Email: humbanobre@hotmail.com
Cell & WhatApp +55(62)98118-2332
*Bulk advertising must be paid in full at the start of term
REGISTRATION APPLICATION
I (we) the owner(s) of this animal, or authorized agent of owner(s), hereby warrant the information contained herin to be true and correct and apply for transfer of ITLA Certificate of Registration, and will legally defend ownership as represented.
TRANSFER BY LEASE
I, , (Owner - Lessor) (Address) ITLA Member # do hereby lease this , named (Cow or Bull) (Animal Name)
Identification Number ITLA Number (Brand #) (Registration Number) to , (Name of Lessee) (Address of Lessee) ITLA Member # for the following period: from (Date) to (Date)
Lease/Loan of Sire: The signature of the Lessee may be used in lieu of the owner of the sire when submitting a registration application providing this form is completed and filed with ITLA by the owner within 30 days after delivery of sire to Lessee.
Lease/Loan of Dam: The signature and address of the Lessee may be used and shown as breeder on registration applications in lieu of the signature and address of the registered owner of the dam for the purpose of registering of recording progeny born during the period specified on this form, provided this form is completed and filed with the ITLA, by the owner, within 30 days after delivery of the dam to the Lessee.
Signature of Owner/Lessor
Date
Signature of Lessee
*PO Box 2610 * Glen Rose, Texas, 76043 * 254-898-0157 * Fax 254-898-0165 *
Artificial Insemination Sire Enrollment Form
Bull’s Registered Name:
Brand / ID Number:
Registration Number:
Owner:
ITLA Member #:
Ranch Name:
Street Address:
Enclose copy of front and back of registration certificate
City: State: Zip:
Phone Number:
Signature:
Application must include the Following:
1. Fee of $100.00
2. DNA type on applicable bull (may be used for progeny verification).
3 Health certification in effect at time of all semen collection, including negative tests for Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, 5 Leptospirosis, Vibriosis, and Trichomoniasis
4 Copy of Bull’s Registration Certificate
5 Photo of Bull
Failure to comply with procedures set forth in the ITLE Artificial Insemination Enrollment regulations will be cause for cancellation of enrollment You may contact the lab of your choice for DNA kits and procedures. ITLA recommends Neogen for DNA results. Neogen Genomics 4131 N 48th St Lincoln, NE 68504. Email for Neogen; geneseekinfo@neogen.com and phone number 402-435-0665.
A.I. or Embryo Transfer Certification Form
Name of Animal Being Registered:
AI Breeding Certificate
I hereby certify the following information to be true And correct concerning the Artificial Insemination of the following cow:
Registered Name of Cow
Registered Number Brand/ ID #
Location of Brand/ ID # Holding Brand and Location
Name of Certified Sire
Registration # Brand ID A I #
Name of Inseminator Date of Insemination
Address of Inseminator
City, State, Zip
Signature of Inseminator
Embryo Transfer Certificate
I hereby certify the following information to be true and correct concerning the Embryo Transfer of the following cow:
Registered Number
Registered Name of Cow Holding Brand and Location
Brand/ ID #
Location of Brand/ ID #
Name of Owner of Cow
Membership Number
Address
Name of Certified Sire
Registration # Brand/ ID # A.I. #
Name of Transfer Technician Date on Transfer
Address of Transfer Technician
Signature of Transfer Technician
ITLA SHOW RULEBOOK
INTERNATIONAL TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS &
QUALIFYING REGIONAL AFFILIATE SHOWS
Revised January 2023
INTERNATIONAL TEXAS LONGHORN ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 2610, GLEN ROSE, TEXAS 76043
PHONE: (254) 898-0157
FAX: (254) 898-0165
www ITLA com
2024
ITLA RULE BOOK
Exhibitor attendance and participation is greatly appreciated throughout the show!! This Standardized Rule Book is the governing document to be used when producing the International Championship Show, the International Youth Show and any regional affiliate shows where ITLA Qualifying Points are to be awarded. Deviations from the rules set forth in this book may result in the show being classified as a Non-Qualifying Show (with no qualifying points or High Point Legacy points recorded) unless the show chairman receives specific permission from the ITLA Board of Directors prior to the show.
Periodically, the rules and regulations contained in this book are reviewed and revised by the ITLA Changes are presented to the ITLA Board of Directors for approval before inclusion Every attempt will be made to inform members of any rule changes through updates in the ITLA Drover or posted on the official ITLA website For a copy of this publication, or to verify that this booklet contains the most up-to-date regulations, you can visit our website for the most current version of this governing rule book at www ITLA com
