OTLA History
The OTLA was incorporated on January 29, 1981 in Oklahoma City. The organizing and incorporating directors were Roy "BO" Phillips,Kenneth Archer, Bill R. Anthony, Elvin Blevins, Dub Richardson, Jack Klutts and president Joe Mueggenborg.
The first OTLA Breeders Sale was held on October 8, 1981, which coincided with the NATIONAL TLBAA Convention, hosted by the OTLA in Oklahoma City. The OTLA held Annual Breeders Sales through 1985.
During that year, OTLA through the efforts of O'Tar Norwood and Dr. Jerry Gillespie convinced the TLBAA to assist in underwriting the research and with Dr. Gillespie monitoring the project, the first research began at Texas A&M. Don King was the OTLA president at this time.
In 1986 OTLA started the beginning of the TEXAS LONGHORN SHOW CIRCUIT as we know it today. With Don King as president and Rob Simpson as Show Chairman, the first National Open Texas Longhorn Show and Exhibition was founded. There were 199 entries from 35 ranches and cattle from five states.
Past OTLA presidents are
OTLA has continued to promote Texas Longhorns with shows, displays at state and county fairs and the "BEEF EXPO" as well as through monthly advertising in the Oklahoma Cowman magazine. It is a strong TLBAA affiliate and has numerous members serving on TLBAA committees.
CLAIM TO FAME
National Spring Show, Held the 3rd weekend in March at Stillwater, Ok.(formerly in Shawnee Ok.) One of the best organized shows on the show circuit with some of the toughest competition.
Tulsa State Fair Show, Tulsa,Ok. held during the fair at the end of September. This show has one of the best parties of any TLBAA affiliate with excellent dinner and live band.
Host at the annual WR Sale at Lawton Ok. in September. OTLBT association. The youth president is Gretchen Kinder. Chattanooga Ok. OTLA / OTLBT advertising with display booth and literature at Oklahoma Cattlemens Convention in Oklahoma City.
Although not direct OTLA functions, Oklahoma members have sales such as the Wichita Wildlife Refuge(WR Sale), Dr. Baker's Safari B Sale at Elk City Ok., Chuck Dickens "Heritage Sale" at Meers Ok., "Top of the Crop" production Sale at Tulsa and the "Trail Dust" sale held by Will Miltmore at Stillwater Ok.
The first TLBAA "COW COLLEGE" was held at OSU in Stillwater, Ok.
Although OTLA is not actually responsible, Dr. Bob Kropp, Chairman of the TLBAA "BREED ADVISORY COUNCIL" lives in Perry Ok. and Col. EDDIE WOOD, The legendary TEXAS LONGHORN auctioneer lives in Wynnewood Ok.
OTLA is unique because we have strong
leadership. Among our numbers are two past TLBAA presidents:
Bill Anthony and Dr.L.V. BAKER.
Current (1998) TLBAA Executive Director "Don L King", is from Bartlesville.
We are unique because many fo the TLBAA WORLD SHOW judges, Judged their
first TEXAS LONGHORNS at OTLA Shows.
We are also unique in that we are a diversified organization.
We have members with varying objectives. Some only "SHOW" cattle; others
produce and market lean beef; others market roping and recreational cattle,
and all of us realize how wonderful and unique our TEXAS LONGHONRS
really are.
We invite you to join the OTLA. We have approximately 85 paid members.
They are mainly from Oklahoma, but we also have members from Arkansas,
Colorado,Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Texas.
Regular annual membershops are $30; Associate members are $20; Junior members
$15; and lifetime members are $300.
Memberships can be obtained from any of the OTLA Board of Directors.
Written by Diana Miltmore circa Aug. 1994.
OTLA Favorite Links
Longhorn information/FACTS
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WhoWhere? - The Best Communications Guide on the Web
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