Texas Longhorn breeders vie for top honors at 2024 Wyoming State Fair

On Aug. 16, Texas Longhorn breeders from across the West convened in Douglas for the Wyoming State Fair (WSF) to show off their cattle and vie for top honors.  

The annual WSF Texas Longhorn Show is sanctioned by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA), in which breeders compete for an invitation to the TLBAA World Show, held in June 2025 in Abilene, Texas. 

Additionally, youth competitors earn points toward year-end awards, as well as an invitation to the National Junior Show, held in conjunction with the TLBAA World Show. 

Youth division 

According to TLBAA Member and Show Superintendent Tammy Delyea of Belle Longhorns in Douglas, the 2024 WSF Texas Longhorn Show featured 80 head of cattle exhibited by 13 breeders, including 20 youth showmen. 

Delyea noted the youth show offered winners $1,400 in cash, among other prizes, and was sponsored by the LetʼEr Buck Car Wash of Casper, Gillette and Sheridan; Jan McDaniel and Connie Zelinski of Casper and Shane Cluesy of Otto. 

The Danley family of Seminole, Texas swept the youth division, and at the end of the show, Sara Danley was recognized as the Premier Youth Breeder.

Sara exhibited the Grand Champion Female, Ct 344738 TJD Honey Bun, and the Grand Champion Bull, Bi108017 TJD Macho Man.

TJ Danley also made the leaderboard with the Reserve Champion Female, C349554 TJD Lady Liberty, and the Grand Champion Trophy Steer, S70986 TJD Dirty Deeds. 

The Reserve Champion Trophy Steer, Si70323 Belle Salty Carl, was shown by Mick Velazquez of Douglas. 

In Pee Wee Showmanship, four first-place winners were chosen including Sutton Johnson of Big Horn, Paxton Zuniga of Sheridan and Maci and Jaxon Dewey of Otto. 

In the junior showmanship division, which includes seven- to nine-year-olds, Paisley Widdows of Johnstown, Colo. was the grand champion showman, followed by Brinley Dewey of Otto in second, Ryker Zuniga of Sheridan in third, Ty Dewey of Otto in fourth and Brodie Swanz of Lost Springs in fifth.

Velazquez made the podium again, earning first-place honors in Intermediate Showmanship, followed by Weldon Widdows of Johnston, Colo. as the reserve champion. 

The top three individuals in Teen Showmanship, ages 13 to 15, were TJ Danley in first, Emma Grace Velazquez of Douglas in second and Wyatte Pitsch of Parkman in third. 

To round out youth showmanship, Sara Danley took home first-place honors in Senior Showmanship, followed by Hannah Mathey of Bowie, Texas as reserve. 

Haltered division

A slightly different feature of the Longhorn Show compared to other WSF cattle shows is breeders are able to show off their cattle in both a haltered and non-haltered division. 

Danley Cattle Company of Seminole, Texas made an impressive showing in the haltered division, and ultimately earned the Premier Breeder Halter Division Award.

The West Texas operation had both the Grand and Reserve Champion Senior Haltered Females – CT336871 TJD Lady Liberty Bell and C336529 LR Miss Maggie, respectively – as well as the Grand Champion Bull, BI 107386 TJD Big Papa, and the Reserve Champion Bull, Bi 106432 OCC Cany Man.

Emma Grace Velazquez of Belle Longhorns also made the leaderboard in the division with the Grand Champion Haltered Mature Female, known as CI 321930 Belle Jewel 94.

Ci 301527 Windy Point Anna Jammin, shown by Windy Point Longhorns of Fowler Colo., was the Reserve Champion Haltered Mature Female.

Non-haltered division

Belle Longhorns kept their winning streak rolling in the non-haltered division, earning Grand Champion Female honors with Ci 343187 OCC Carmilita.

IM Bar Longhorns of Big Horn had the Reserve Champion Female, Ci349389 Snowbird 41, as well as the Grand Champion Mature Female, Ci319734 Heart O’ Dixie Charger, while Jesse and Amber Dewey of Otto had the Reserve Champion Mature Female, known as Ci321930 RNL Grande Gretta.

Jesse and Amber also took home honors with the Grand Champion Trophy Steer, Si 166749 Astro1018, while S169715 Sameri Side Kick, shown by Hannah Mathey of Southern Vibes Ranch in Bowie, Texas, was the reserve champion.

Windy Point Longhorns were awarded the Premier Breeder Non-Halter Division Award.

Representing Southern Vibes Ranch, Teagan Mathey exhibited the Grand Champion Miniature Steer in the non-haltered division to round out the WSF Longhorn Show, and Southern Vibes Ranch was recognized as the Premier Miniature Breeder.

Belle Longhorns ultimately took home the Premier Breeder Overall banner.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.