By LINDA McGURK
Indiana Correspondent VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Texas Longhorn shows are few and far between in Indiana, but on Aug. 1, what is popularly branded as “America’s genuine cattle breed” is coming back to the Veedersburg Sale Barn.
The Ohio River Valley Texas Longhorn Assoc. (ORVTLA) is hoping to repeat the success of last year’s show at the same location and is encouraging the public to come and learn more about the stately and sometimes misunderstood animals.
“The whole purpose of the association is to educate the public about the history and the romance about longhorns. That’s why we were so excited we had so many outside people at last year’s show,” said Steve Paloncy of Perrysville, show chair and vice president of ORVTLA. “So many of these shows end up being a private affair, but we encourage the public to come and ask questions.”
The show runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT and is free to the public. It features both haltered and unhaltered classes, as well as youth classes. What sets the event apart from shows for English breeds are the unhaltered classes, where the cattle are roaming in the ring by themselves, without a handler, and are judged on their natural stance.
“The unhaltered classes are really the true way of showing, because you’re judging the animal, not the handler,” said Jim Small, who breeds Texas Longhorns at his farm Arch Acres near Portland Arch, Ind. “The cow is judged on its own merits and not on what you can do to it. It lets the cows be cows.”
Aside from the prize competition, the show includes a calf auction, a skull raffle and a silent auction featuring Western and rural items. Some of the animals shown in the competition are also for sale.
Last year’s Longhorn show, which was ORVTLA’s first ever in Indiana, had 63 entries. The organizers expect at least that many, if not more, this year and Paloncy pointed out that this could be the last chance to see a longhorn show in the area for some time. “We wanted to do it here again to take advantage of the crowds, but this might be the last show in Indiana for ORVTLA for a while,” he said. Most of the organization’s members come from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, and the shows are generally held in Ohio.
Small said the interest in Texas Longhorns is on the rise in Indiana, and some breeders are in the process of forming a state organization dedicated to the breed. The popularity of the once near-extinct cattle breed has also been boosted by recent consumer trends that emphasize buying local and healthy food.
“The very reason (Longhorn meat) fell out of favor years ago is the same reason it’s coming back in favor today. Longhorn beef is lean and lower in cholesterol than chicken,” Small said and added, “We do use medicines if the animals get sick, but we don’t use any steroids.”
Small, who’s bringing 15 cows to the show, said the herd of Longhorns grazing in front of his home always triggers interest from passers-by. “I’m amazed at how many people stop by and say they want to look at my cows. They ask all kinds of questions about them.” Many of those questions concern the horns – an unusual sight in a state that’s completely dominated by Angus and other English breeds. “There’s something very nostalgic and fascinating about the (Texas Longhorn). It’s very Americana,” said Paloncy’s wife, Judi.
Small said many people have pre-conceived notions about the Texas Longhorn breed that aren’t accurate, and fear them unnecessarily because of the horns. The show is an opportunity for the Texas Longhorn community to counter some of those misconceptions and answer the public’s questions about the breed.
“This is a nice event,” said Judi Paloncy, who’s taking two animals to the show this year. “The kids are really fascinated by the horns and the size and majesticness of the animals. You don’t have to come with the intent of showing or buying.”
For more information about the show, go to http://orvtla.tripod.com |
