History

Ever since 1943, except for one year during World War II, Texas Longhorn enthusiasts attended the annual surplus Longhorn sale at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. They would gather to swap tales of the trail and buy a few head of Longhorns.

At the sale in 1963 Harry Pos, from Burns, OR, mentioned that he might start a Longhorn association. This sounded like a good idea to Charlie Schreiner, III, but he felt the association should be based in Texas.

On May 8, 1964, a Certificate of Incorporation was issued by the State of Texas, officially forming the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America with its first offices established in San Antonio, TX.

The first membership meeting of the new Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA) was held in September 1964 at Lawton, OK, in conjunction with the Refuge Sale. About 30 members gathered to elect officers and ratify the by-laws. Appropriately, Charles Schreiner, III, was elected the association’s first president, an office which he held for three years.

In order to determine what cattle were eligible for registration, the new association hired Claude “Heck” Shrader to visually inspect any animal offered for registration. Mr. Shrader was about to retire from the Refuge and was reputed to have the ability see a cow years after having seen it as a calf and be able to remember its pedigree without seeing a brand or other manmade marking to refresh his memory. The first Texas Longhorn registered was YO Carmela, a Longhorn owned by Schreiner.

Throughout the years that followed, the association grew in number of cattle registered and members and added many more facets to its services including a National Youth program, World Show Circuit, Texas Longhorn Trails Magazine, an A.I. Certification program and a Longhorn beef program.

Currently the TLBAA registry database maintains pedigree records on  more than 450,000 head of Texas Longhorns and serves more than 3,500 members across the nation and in countries around the world. From youth activities to Longhorn beef, and shows to sales and horn measuring contests today’s association has something to offer to all those interested in owning this magnificent breed of cattle.

Historical Timeline

  • 1870’s - Charlie Schreiner I introduced the Texas Longhorn to his famous YO Ranch in the Texas Hill Country.
  • 1943 - Texas Longhorn enthusiasts began meeting annually at the Longhorn surplus sale at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
  • 1963 - Oregon rancher Harry Pon initiated the idea of starting a Longhorn Association.
  • 1963 - Charlie Schreiner III began assembling cattle experts and filing paperwork for the Association.
  • 1964 May 8thThe certificate of incorporation was issued by the state of Texas and the TLBAA was formed.
  • 1964 - The TLBAA office was established in San Antonio, Texas
  • 1964 - September - TLBAA held their first meeting in Lawton, Oklahoma. There they elected officers, ratified the by-laws and elected Charlie Schreiner III as their first President.
  • 1964 - The TLBAA hired famed inspector Claud "Heck" Schrader to travel the U.S. determining the eligibility of cattle.
  • 1964 - The #1 Cow, #1 Bull and #1 Steer were inspected and registered from Schreiner’s herd, setting the high standards for the registry.
  • 1965 - Cartoonist Ace Reid suggested a trail drive reenactment from San Antonio to Dodge City commemorating the 100th year of the trail drive. One hundred steers and riders traveled to Dodge City for the event and introduced the nation to the Texas Longhorn.
  • 1967 - New TLBAA President Walter Riedel moved the TLBAA office from San Antonio to Karnes City. When he turned the organization over to Jack Phillips in 1969, the organization had grown to 4,300 cows and 150 members.
  • 1969 - Jack Phillips became President and organized the TLBAA finances. When he handed it off, the organization had money in the bank with very little debt.
  • 1973 - Jim Warren became President and the TLBAA celebrated its 10th anniversary at 350 members and 7,000 cattle.
  • 1975 - Manuel Gustamente was hired as Executive Secretary and the breed registry was closed. Gustamente died suddenly later that year.
  • 1975 - As of June 30th that year, only the progeny of registered Texas Longhorn were eligible for registration.
  • 1975 - J.W. Issacs was elected President and the first sanctioned sale was established.
  • 1975 - Intended as a parade, more than 100 Texas Longhorns were spooked en route causing damage to homes and running trucks off the highway. This incident became known as the Goliad Stampede.
  • 1980 - Bill Anthony became TLBAA’s first President from outside of Texas, recognizing the national expanse of the organization.
  • 1981 - A selection committee was formed to find a permanent home for the TLBAA. A temporary office and building fund was established and a site was purchased in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
  • 1982 - Dr. L.V. Baker of Oklahoma was elected President. Membership grew to 2,500.
  • 1983 - The Texas Longhorn Breeders of Tomorrow (TLBT) youth organization was formed.
  • 1984 - Dr. W.D. “Bill” Clark became President and breed research at Texas A&M continued. The Texas Goid Monument was dedicated.
  • 1987 - The Texas World Show Circuit began.
  • 1988 - The first Texas Longhorn Exposition was held in Fort Worth. The Breed Evaluation System and the Breed Advisory Council were created.
  • 1989 - TLBAA created an official publication, The Texas Longhorn Trails Magazine.

Today, be a part of history, promote awareness of Texas Longhorn cattle and join the TLBAA.