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Welcome to Texas-Best.com.

Texas-Best is the online version of our book published in 1996. The book lists all the best people, places and things in Texas.

Start reading about Texas Cowboys below or any of the people, places and things in the index to your left.

"The Best is Always in Demand"

Evolution of the Cowboy

Cowboys appeared in Texas as a result of the colonization encouraged by Mexico. In 1822 there were 150 settlers in Texas. By 1836 there were 36,000 settlers. The cattle and horses introduced by the Spanish explorers had multiplied and were available in great numbers to anyone who could catch them. The Mexican vaquero, anglo and black cowboy had fully evolved by the end of the Civil War.

The combination of land, freedom, horses, and cattle had become the state of mind called Texas.

Rodeo Cowboys

Texas Best Bulldogger Hall of Fame

• Bill Picket
  National Cowboy Hall of Fame
  Invented bulldogging, now called steer wrestling. Bill was with the Buffalo Bill Show for 26 years. He died from a kick in the head from a horse in 1932.

Texas Best Bull Rider Hall of Fame

• Don Gay
  Mesquite Texas
  First cowboy in history to win eight bull riding titles.

Texas Best Calf Roper Hall of Fame

• Toots Mansfield
  Seven World Champion Calf Roping Championships.

Texas Best Bull Rider, 1996

• Ronnie Kitchens
  Kemp Texas
  Won the 1996 PBR World Finals in October against the sports 45 top contenders.

Texas Best All Around Cowboy, 1996 World Champion

• Joe Beaver
  Huntsville, Texas
  Born 10-13-1965.

Texas Best Calf Roper, 1996 World Champion

• Fred Whitfield
  Hockley, Texas
  Born 8-5-1967.

Texas Best Team Roper - Header, 1996 World Champion

• Steve Purcella
  Hereford, Texas
  11-12-1966.

Texas Best Team Roper - Heeling, 1996 World Champion

• Steve Northcutt Odessa, Texas
  11-13-1969.

Rodeo Events

• Saddle Bronc Riding
  The cowboy must remain on a horse with a regulation saddle for eight seconds. During the ride, the cowboy must spur the animal as much as possible to get a good ride. He must also keep one hand free from touching the bronc or his equipment. Points are awarded for riders who stay on the bronc for the full count.
• Bareback Bronc Riding
  This event is similar to saddle bronc riding except there are no saddle, stirrups or reins. The cowboy holds on to a cinch with one hand.
  
• Bull Riding
  Also similar to bronc riding, a bull rider attempts to stay on a 2,000 pound plus bucking bull for eight seconds.
• Calf Roping
  Calf roping is an event patterned after the cattle round-up. During the spring and fall, calves are roped to be branded and worked. A rope called a lariat is used by a cowboy who rides a specially trained horse. The cowboy ropes the calf; and while the horse tugs on the calf, the cowboy dismounts and throws the calf down and ties three legs together with a string called a piggin string. The cowboy competes against the clock for the best time.
• Steer Wrestling
  Steer wrestling was invented by Bill Picket in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. A cowboy chases down a steer on horseback , jumps on top of the steer, grabs his horns, and with a twist throws him to the ground. The event is scored by the best time.
• Team Roping
  This event is a realistic demonstration of the cowboys' skills. Two Cowboys chase down a 400 pound Longhorn steer. The cowboy called the header ropes the horns, then the Cowboy called the heeler ropes the hind legs. The ropes are wrapped around the saddle horn and drawn tight with the calf between the ropers. This is a timed event. >LI>Barrel Racing
  This event is reserved for cowgirls. The cowgirl mounted on her horse races against the clock around three barrels set in the arena in a triangle pattern.

Texas Rodeo Schedule

Texas has 108 PRCA sanctioned rodeos.

• Sandhills Hereford and Quarterhorse Show and Rodeo
  January
  Ector County Coliseum
  Odessa, Texas
  915-366-3541
• Southwestern International Livestock Show and Rodeo
  February
  El Paso County Coliseum
  El Paso, Texas
  915-532-1401
• San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
  February
  Joe Freeman Coliseum
  San Antonio, Texas
  210-225-5851
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  February 14 to March 4
  Kirby at S. Loop
  Houston, Texas
• CRA Finals
  Spring
  1200 Houston
  Sulphur Springs, Texas
  903-885-6515
• Austin - Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo
  3rd week March
  
• San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo
  March
  Coliseum Fairgrounds
  San Angelo, Texas
  915-653-7785
• Mesquite Championship Rodo
  April - September, Saturday and Sunday
  118 Rodeo Dr.
  Mesquite, Texas
  214-285-8777
• Western Heritage Classic and Ranch Rodeo
  2nd week May
  Taylor County Expo Center
  Abilene, Texas
  915-677-4376
• Western Days
  3rd weekend May
  Grand Prairie Rodeo Club
  Grand Prairie, Texas
  214-264-1558
• International Rodeo Association Championship Rodeo
  June
  Greenhill Rd FM 2152
  Mount Pleasant, Texas
  903-572-1170
• Llano County Rodeo
  1st weekend June
  RR 152
  Llano, Texas
  915-247-4655
• George Strait Team Roping and Concert
  June
  J. K. Northway Exposition Center
  Dick Kleberg Park
  Kingsville, Texas
  512-592-8516
• Red River Rodeo
  June
  Mounted Patrol Arena
  Wichita Falls, Texas
  817-322-4411
• Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo
  June
  Fairgrounds, FM 700
  Big Spring, Texas
  915-263-7641
• PRCA Rodeo and July 4th Celebration
  July 4
  Bell County Expo Center
  South Loop 121
  Belton, Texas
  817-939-3551
• American Junior Rodeo Association Rodeo
  July
  Mitchell County Fairgrounds
  Colorado City, Texas
  915-728-3403
• Kuecklehan Rodeo
  Last week July
  TX 78
  Bonham, Texas
  903-583-5337
• Texoma Quarter Horse Association Rodeo
  3rd week July
  TQHA Arena, US 75
  Denison/Sherman,Texas
  903-465-1551
• Parker County Sheriff's Posse
  Last week July
  Frontier Days and rodeo
  US 180 W.
  Weatherford, Texas
  817-594-3801
• XIT Rodeo and Reunion
  First weekend August
  Rita Blanca Park
  Dalhart, Texas
  806-249-5646
• All Girl Rodeo
  Second weekend August
  Riders Club Arena
  Hereford, Texas
  806-364-3333
• American Junior Rodeo Association National Finals
  August
  Scurry County Coliseum
  Snider, Texas
  915-573-3558
• Sutton County Days PRCA Rodeo
  August
  Sutton County Park
  Sonora, Texas
  915-387-2880
• West Texas Fair and Rodeo
  Labor Day - Friday
  Taylor County Expo Center
  Abilene, Texas
  915-677-4376
• Washington Country Fair
  September
  Horton St. E. FM 577
  Brenham, Texas
  836-6128
• Four States Fair and Rodeo
  First week in October
  Loop 245 E.
  Fairgrounds
  Texarkana, Texas
  501-773-2941
• National Old-Timers Rodeo
  November
  Civic Center
  Amarillo, Texas
  806-359-4777
• Texas Tech Intercollegiage Rodeo
  November
  Fair Park
  Lubbock, Texas
  806-742-3341
• Cowboy Roping Fiesta
  November
  Coliseum Fairgrounds
  San Angelo, Texas
  915-653-7785
• Texas Exposition and Heritage Center
  7311 Decker Ln.
  Austin, Texas
  928-3710
• Kow Bell Rodeo
  Every Saturday and Sunday
  157 and Mansfield Hwy
  Mansfield, Texas
  477-3092
• Charro Association Rodeos
  Sundays
  Lienzo Charro Lopez Mateos Arena
  El Paso, Texas
  915-532-7273

Food

An important part of every cowboy's life is food. Cowboy foods, including beans, barbecue, chicken fried steak, chili, beef steak, fried catfish, Pace Picante Sauce, Hopkins County stew, and a lot more, are covered in the food chapter.

Texas Made Jeans

Jeans were invented by Levi Strauss (not a Texan). They were adopted by cowboys with a couple of modifications. Original jeans had rivets at all the stress points. The rivets in the back pockets were removed to prevent damage to the saddle. Those same rivets are hell on the hood of your pick-up too. It's a good idea to inspect cowgirls' jeans before you let them sit on your hood. The crotch rivet was removed as a result of discomfort while squatting near a campfire.
Wranglers are not made in Texas, but are the choice of most rodeo cowboys.
Chaps or leggings are worn to protect the cowboys' legs from brush, rain and cold. Chaps are still used for their intended purpose by rodeo cowboys and in heavy brush on the range.
Texas Made Western Jeans for Ladies

• Panhandle Slim
  P.O. Box 162749
  Fort Worth, Texas 76161
  800-433-2888
• Circle T Western Wear
  2632 Freewood Drive
  Dallas, Texas 75220
  214-351-5553

Texas Made Cowboy Hats

Cowboy or Western hats are one of the unique trademarks of the cowboy. Hats of felt are worn in cold weather and straw hats are worn in hot weather. The important parts of a cowboy hat are the brim, crown, and crease.
Felt is the material of choice for a cowboy hat for good reason. Felt is matted fur. Because it is matted, and the hairs run in all directions interlocking with each other, felt is stronger and lighter than woven materials. A water resistant fur / felt is desirable to help the hat hold its shape and shed water. Beaver, neutra or muskrat are the best and most expensive fur / felts. Rabbit, or a combination of rabbit with one of the other felts, is most common. Wool felt will not hold its shape. Nothing looks worse than a droopy cowboy hat.
Felt hats are made of rabbit and beaver hair. A 5X hat is all rabbit, a 10X hat is 50% rabbit and 50% beaver, and a 100X hat is 100% beaver.
A working cowboy would typically purchase a 10X hat for $165 to $240. A 5X hat would retail for $100 to $150, and a 100X hat starts at $750.

Texas Best Custom Cowboy Hats

• Limpia Creek Hat Company
  Buster Mills
  Fort Davis, Texas
  Specializes in hats for working cowboys, but sells part of his 600 hat production to celebrities making films in the Texas mountain area. Martha Stewart, the famous east coast blueblood homemaker, bought 16 hats for her camera crew and herself. The hat can be seen on the September, 1996 issue of her magazine.

Texas Made Cowboy Hats

• American Hat Co., Inc.
  P.O. Box 2808
  Conroe, Texas 77305
  800-392-4197
• Bailey Hat Co.
  3201 N.E. Loop 820 #275
  Ft. Worth, Texas 76137
  800-999-6399
• Catalena Hatters
  203 N. Main St.
  Bryan, Texas 77803
  409-822-4423
• Charlie Horse Hat Co.
  601 Marion Dr.
  Garland, Texas 75042
  214-494-0511
• Fort Worth Hatters
  Rt. 1 Box 72-3
  Newark, Texas 76071
  800-643-8327
• Manny Gammage's Mad Hatters
  Austin, Texas
  512-441-4287
• Dean Leonard Hat Shop
  3215 34th St.
  Lubbock, Texas
  806-791-0550
  
• Resistol Hats (Hat Brands, Inc.)
  601 Marion Dr.
  Garland, Texas 75042
  214-494-0511
• Curtis Watson Hatters Supply Co., Inc.
  P.O. Box 860576
  Plano, Texas 75086
  214-423-3611
  Hat care products.

Texas Made Cowboy Hats, Discount

• Resistol Hats Outlet Store
  721 Marion Drive
  Garland, Texas 75042
  214-494-0337

Texas Made Cowboy Boots

The modern day cowboy boot evolved from the utility boot designed to fit the stirrup of a saddle. As a result, there are boots made for riding, rodeoing, and walking. You should base your selection on the intended use. Two inch riding heels don't make good walking boots.
All boots should have a steel shank with wooden pegs for arch support. You should also look for leather lining and good overall workmanship. Riding boots should have an underslung heel tall enough to grip the saddle stirrup. Riding boots also come with a narrow toe to guide the boot easily into the stirrup without effort.
Boots are one of the most comfortable shoes you can wear if they fit right. You shouldn't have to break in boots, they should be comfortable the first time you put them on. The heel should slip slightly when you walk. A long narrow fit is better than a too short wide fit. Get a custom made pair if you can afford them.
The stitching on the boot top originally served to hold the multi layers of leather together without sagging. The more rows of stitching the more expensive the boot. A work boot might have four rows of stitching and a dress boot will have six to eight rows of stitching. Inlays and overlays of leather shapes are found on a Hollywood type boot. My personal leather preference for daily wear is shark because of its durability. I have a pair of sharkskin boots that have been resoled four times and don't have a single nick in the leather tops.
A custom boot fitting will run $200.00 and the boots are an additional $4,500.00 and up. Decisions to be made include toe shape, earpulls, heel size, and shape and type of leather. Expect six weeks or more for delivery.

Texas Made Custom Cowboy Boots

• Lucchese ?
  1226 E. Houston
  San Antonio, Texas 78205
• Charlie Dunn
  Austin, Texas
• Raymondville
  210-889-3171.
  Worn by Texas Rangers to Royalty
• M.L. Leddy's Boot and Saddlery
  2455 N. Main
  Fort Worth, Texas 76106
  817-624-3149
  Founded in 1922 and moved to Fort Worth in 1941. Handmade boots from $475. to $1,275.
• Little's Boots
  San Antonio, Texas
• Rusty Franklin Boot Co.
  San Angelo, Texas
• Anderson Bean Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 36
  Mercedes, Texas 78570
  210-565-2618
• Don Atkinson Custom Boot and Saddle
  P.O. Box 1419
  Ingram, Texas 78025
  210-367-5400
• Austin Hall Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 220990-H
  El Paso, Texas 79913
  915-771-6113
• Champion Boot Co.
  505 S. Cotton
  El Paso, Texas 79901
  915-534-7783
• Double Eagle Custom Boots
  5320 Cameron Rd.
  Austin, Texas 78723
  800-742-8372
• L. M. Easterling Boot Co.
  509 S. Cotton St.
  El Paso, Texas 79901
  915-532-8145
• Frontier Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 2796
  McAllen, Texas 78502
  800-835-1183
• Hondo Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 10028
  El Paso, Texas 79991
  800-444-6636
• Justin Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 548
  Fort Worth, Texas 76101
  800-3-JUSTIN
• Tony Lama Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 9518
  El Paso, Texas 79985
• Mercedes Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 2525
  Ft. Worth, Texas 76113
  800-552-BOOT
• Nocona Boot Co.
  P.O. Box 599
  E. Hwy 82
  Nocona, Texas 76225
• Tex Robin ?
  Coleman, Texas
• Rocketbuster Boots USA
  115 S. Anthony
  El Paso, Texas 79903
  915-541-1300
• Stallion Boot and Belt Co.
  100 N. Cotton St.
  El Paso, Texas 79901
  915-532-6268

Texas Made Western Boots, Discount

• Lone Star Boot Outlet
  3209 Carpenter Freeway
  Irving, Texas 75062
  214-445-0277
• Justin Discount Boots
  P.O. Box 67
  Justin, Texas 76247
  800-677-BOOT
  Western boots and clothing.

Texas Made Custom Saddles

A saddle should be selected for its intended use, pleasure riding, roping, show, bronc riding or barrel racing. Unless you are an expert, the best approach is to deal with a reputable saddle dealer or saddle maker. A saddle should be selected to fit your seat and, just as important, the horse. Take your horse saddle shopping with you if you can. A saddle should never touch the horse's spine or put undue pressure on the withers. The bars of the saddle tree should lay flat on the horses back, just behind the shoulder blades. The gullet should clear the horses back by one inch when the rider is mounted.

• Big Bend Saddlery
  P.O. Box 38
  Alpine, Texas 79831
  800-814-4502
• Bobbie Jo's Saddlery
  Rt. 1 Box 417
  San Antonio, Texas 78257
  800-814-0379
• Liebman's
  San Antonio, Texas
• Bruce Cheaney Bits, Spurs and Saddles
  3200 Hwy 82 E.
  P.O. Box 1425
  Gainesville, Texas 76241
  817-668-8607
• Jack Cheaney's Saddle Shop
  211 W Elm
  Gainesville, Texas
  903-665-3361.
  Roping and cutting horse saddles.
• Circle Y of Yoakum, Inc.
  P.O. Box 797
  Yoakum, Texas 77995
  512-293-3501
• Coats Saddlery, Inc.
  P.O. Box 62931
  San Angelo, Texas 76906
  915-658-8964
• Courts Saddlery Co.
  403 N. Main
  Bryan, Texas 77803
  409-822-0161
  Sharon Camarillo (Barrel) by Courts.
• R.E. Donaho Concho Saddles
  Rector Story
  8 E. Concho Street
  P.O. Box 2321
  San Angelo, TX
  905-655-3270, 800-809-3270
  The best hand made saddles anywhere made by Rector Story since 1938.
• Ed Galemba Saddle Shop
  Rt. 2 Box 318E
  Stephenville, Texas 76401
  800-972-5347
• J.M. Saddler Co., Inc.
  12100 Crown Point #115
  San Antonio, Texas 78233
  800-627-2807
• Joey Jemison Saddles
  1700 Sandy Lane
  Weatherford, Texas 76088
  800-658-6575
• Laster Saddle Shop
  P.O. Box 641
  Manohaca, Texas 78652
  512-282-9798
• Leon's Saddle Tree Co.
  103 Ave. E
  Hereford, Texas 75045
  806-364-0102
• Bob Marrs Saddle Shop
  101 Rancho Trail
  Amarillo, Texas 79108
  806-383-7711
• Price McLaughlin Saddle Shop
  P.O. Box 199
  Boyo, Texas 76023
  817-433-5174
• Nettles Stirrups Etc.
  Rt. 1 Box 224
  Madisonville, Texas 77864
  800-729-2234
• Preston Custom Saddlery
  P.O. Drawer 507
  Utopia, Texas 78884
  210-966-3388
• Art Reed Custom Saddles
  904 Amber
  Abilene, Texas
  915-677-4572
  Saddles for working cowboys. Start about $1500.
• Ritter Saddle Tree Co., Inc.
  H.C. 12 Box 100
  Anthony, Texas 70821
  800451-3191
• Running W Saddle Shop
  Kingsville, Texas.
  BOB KLEBERG SPECIAL
• Saddle Shop
  943 N. Expressway #15-64
  Brownsville, Texas 78520
  210-542-1129
• Specialty Saddles
  15635 Ave. C
  Channelview, Texas 77530
  713-452-5533
• West Brothers Saddlery
  Rt. 4 Box 510
  Center, Texas 75935
  409-598-2627
• Western Suppliers Wholesale Saddlery
  P.O. Box 428
  Aubrey, Texas 76227
  800-656-3133

Texas Made Ropes and Tack

Texas Best Rope Maker

• Dennis Willard
  Willard Rope Co.
  Makes and ships 40,000 ropes a year from Roanoke, Texas.

Texas Made Rope and Tack Suppliers

• Classic Rope Mfg. Inc.
  P.O. Box 2003
  Grandbury, Texas 76048
  800-654-7864
• Cowboy Tack Inc.
  406 Palo Pinto St.
  Weatherford, Texas 76086
  800-809-6131
• Greg Darnell Bits
  Rt.2 Box 78-A-3
  Lone Oak, Texas 75453
  800-809-6131
• Hibbert's Handmade Halters
  Rt. 2 Box 44
  Breckenridge, Texas 76424
  800-952-5785
• Hollis Hackamore and Bit Co.
  Rt. 1 Box 1
  Skidmore, Texas 78389
  512-287-3261
• National Ropers Supply
  1410 Hwy 51 S
  Decatur, Texas 76234
  800-60-ROPIN
• R. T. Bit and Spur
  RR 6 Box 620
  Gainesville, Texas 76240
  817-665-8874
• Rain Tree Peruvian Tack
  30169 Twin Ridge Dr.
  Bulvede, Texas 78163
  800-725-4119
• Roy Bits and Spurs, Inc.
  P.O. Box 2956
  Bryan, Texas 77805
  409-822-6589
• Sims Spur Co.
  P.O. Box 876
  Bandera, Texas 78003
  800-441-0804
• Smith Brothers Roping Supplies
  I-35 and Ganzer Ropers Road
  Denton, Texas 76207
  800-433-5558
• Travel Lite Bridles and Tack
  8825 Roaring Creek Road
  Joshua, Texas 76058
  817-558-7468
• Wigwam Halter Co.
  Rt. 2 Box 2199
  Athens, Texas 75751
  800-557-2554

Texas Best Ranches

• King Ranch
  Founded in 1852 in Nueces County, 825,000 acres. This is the ranch that developed the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle. They maintain a herd of 60,000 cattle and 1,000 Quarter horses.
• XIT Ranch
  Created in 1885. Investors received 3,050,000 acres in exchange for building a new State Capitol. The last of the XIT was sold in 1929.
• Waggoner Ranch
  Vernon, Texas
  The largest single piece of privately owned land in Texas.
• Boys' Ranch
  Boys' Ranch, Texas.
  Population 550. Established 1939. Over 400 boys and girls benefit from guidance and affectionate discipline in a ranch setting.

Texas Best Dude Ranch

• YO Ranch
  Kerrville, Texas
  Founded in 1880. 50,000 acre working ranch. Features domestic and exotic wildlife and a 200 room Hilton Hotel on the ranch.
• Mayan Ranch
  Medina River
  Bandera, Texas
  796-3312
  60 rooms.
• Flying L Guest Ranch
  Bandera, Texas
  800-290-5134
  38 suites and golf courses.
• Dixie Dude Ranch
  Bandera, Texas
  800-375-9255
  Working ranch.
• Twin Elm Ranch
  Medina River
  Bandera, Texas
  796-3628
• Lazyhills Guest Ranch
  Texas Hwy 27 & Henderson Rd.
  Ingram, Texas
  210-367-5600
  26 unit ranch with family style meals.

Horses

Texas Best Horse Breed

• Quarter Horse
  American Quarterhorse Headquarters, Amarillo, Texas 806-376-5181
  World's largest equine registry. America's first horse breed. Quarter horses are famous for their quarter-mile sprints. They are now competing in horse shows around the world and are in demand for racing, ranch work, rodeo, recreational riding, and many other activities.
• American Paint Horse
  American Paint Horse Association is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas
  817-439-3400
  This Western-rooted breed is a favorite Texas horse and is growing in popularity around the world. In 1991, the APHA became the third largest equine registry. Decendants of Spanish Conquistadors' horses, Paints were once wild horses that roamed the Western deserts and plains. The Indians were the first to capture and use them.
• Appaloosa
  Decending from Spanish explorers' horses that passed through Texas, these horses were bred and refined by the Nez Perce and Palouse Indians of the Northwest. They are a favorite horse of Texas breeders and riders.

Texas Best Race Horse

• Assault
  Assault was a Thoroughbred bred at the King Ranch, Kingsville, Texas. His sire was Bold Venture, the 1936 Kentucky Derby winner, but his dam was never raced. He injured a hoof as a colt and always favored it, which gave him the appearance of being crippled. Even his trainer lacked confidence in him in the beginning. He won only two races as a two year old, then went on to surprise everyone and become the Triple Crown Winner in 1946.
• Pan Zarata
  Sweetwater, Texas, 1910
  The winningest Thoroughbred mare in American history. She was known as the Queen of the turf.

Texas Best Quarterhorse, Hall of Fame

• Dash For Cash
  Born on the Phillips Ranch in Frisco, Texas, April 17, 1973.
  From 1975 thru 1977 the sorrel stallion raced 25 times for 21 wins. He won the Los Alamitos Champion of Champions in 1976 and 1977. He was world champion running horse both years.

Texas Best Appaloosa, Hall of Fame

• Dynamite Day
  Bred by William S. Day of Dallas and foaled in Texas in 1984. Sired by Day Lite by Bull Hunneley, out of the Quarter Horse mare Miss Velvet Hammer. His great grandsire was the legendary Thoroughbred Three Bars.
  Dynamite Day was a top calf roping and barrell racing horse in the early 1990s. He is the only horse to win the World's Best Appaloosa more than once. He won it in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.

Texas Best Team Roping Horse (Heeling), 1996

• Flits Smoking Dream
  13 year old AQHA, owned by Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas.

Texas Best Team Roping Horse (Heading), 1996

• Mark My Dream
  10 year old AQHA gelding ridden by Steve Purcella of Hereford, Texas.
  1996 AQHA/PRCA Heading Horse of the Year.

Texas Best Steer Wrestling Horse, 1996

• Mama's JR
  Ridden by Byron Walker and owned by George Strait and Byron Walker.

Texas Best Steer Roping Horse, 1996

• Gray Baldy
  Owned and ridden by Arnold Felts.

Texas Best Calf Roping Horse, 1996

• Merry Two Bar
  Owned and ridden by Trent Walls.

Texas Made Horse and Stock Trailers

• Brenderup Real Trailers
  25 Keiw Road
  Midland, Texas 79706
  800-745-1306
• Burkhalter Trailers Inc.
  4200 Hwy 190 W.
  Livingston, Texas 77351
  800-522-5976
• Easley Trailer Mfg. Inc.
  HCR 3 Box 1
  Canadian, Texas 79104
• Pierce Sales
  Rt. 1 Box 3A
  Henrietta, Texas 76365
  817-538-5646

Texas Made Professional Rodeo Equipment

• Barstow Pro Rodeo Equipment
  P.O. Box 1516
  Corsicana, Texas 75151
  903-874-3995
• Bob Blackwood Manufacturing Spurs and Rodeo Equipment
  P.O. Box 351
  Farmersville, Texas 75442
  800-454-2292
• Top Hand Rodeo Equipment
  510 S. Main
  Farmersville, Texas 75442
  800-959-1245

Texas Made Rodeo Riding Equipment

• Barstow Pro Rodeo Equipment
  Corsicana, Texas 75151
  903-874-3995

Texas Made Branding Irons

• Bolander's Cowboy Ironcraft
  1236 N. Bell
  San Angelo, Texas 76903
  915-653-5015
• Longhorn Branding Irons
  P.O. Box 8
  Hochheim, Texas 77967
  512-293-7711

Cows

Texas Best Steer, Longhorn

• Bevo
  The original Longhorn mascot for the University of Texas at Austin. This steer got his name as a result of being branded by Texas A and M students after a football game in 1916. The 13-0 score branded on the animal was altered by TU students to spell BEVO.
  
• Old Blue, 1878. Owned by Charles Goodnight and led a thousand steers 250 miles to Dodge City with a brass bell around his neck. Blue prefered men to his own kind and accompanied the cowboys home to the ranch in Texas.

Texas Best Cattle Breed

• Texas Longhorn
  Glover Cattle Company
  These cattle were the first in the New World. They are decendants of cattle lost by early Spanish explorers. The hardy, long lived Longhorns we see today are the result of survival of the fittest over almost 500 years. Longhorns almost became extinct early in the century with the introduction of the European breeds. Many people are afraid of Longhorns, but they are gentle, curious animals. They will take on any predator that they feel is threatening their babies. We 've seen ours chase coyotes and wild pigs off our place.
• Santa Gertrudis
  Produced about 1919 on the King Ranch. The first new breed developed in the western hemisphere. Santa Gertrudis cattle are a cross between Shorthorn and Brahman. The name of the Santa Gertrudis breed comes from the name of the original land grant given to Captain Richard King by the Crown of Spain. This land grant is where the first headquarters of the King Ranch was established.
• Salorn
  International Salorn Association
  A cross between Texas Longhorn and smooth-coated, fast gaining Salers. By combining these two hardy breeds, a tropically adapted animal that also works well in the cooler climates of western America has been produced. One of the original Salers sires selected for the Salorn project has a 21 year-old granddam that has raised 20 natural calves and holds the all-time milk production record in France.

Ranch Supplies

Texas Best Farm and Ranch Store

• D and D Farm and Ranch
  516I-10 East
  Seguine, Texas
  379-7340
  Biggest store of this kind in the southwest.

   
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