Starlight Named Texas Longhorn With Longest Horn Span at Longhorn World Championship

Measuring 81-9/16 Inches, Starlight Wins Competition Against Hundreds

Starlight, a 15-year-old cow from the Clear Creek Pecan Plantation in Forestburg, Texas, was named the Texas Longhorn with the widest horn span on October 3 at the Longhorn World Championship held at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Starlight's horns measure 81-9/16 inches tip to tip earning her the top spot in a competition against a field of 300 Texas Longhorns. Starlight took home a bronze trophy and owner Dr. Zech Dameron earned bragging rights. Dameron was also presented with the Longhorn World Championship Lifetime Achievement Award for Starlight's accomplishment of producing many valuable offspring. Starlight is the grandmother of SDR Candy Cane, the highest selling Texas Longhorn in history.

"Texas Longhorn cattle typically have horn spreads of 55 to 65 inches and anything over 70 inches on a mature cow is impressive," said Wes Chancey, CEO of The Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance (TLMA). "Starlight is clearly in a class all her own."

Hosted by TLMA, the first-ever Longhorn World Championship celebrated the accomplishments of a broad range of breeding programs, recognized outstanding individual achievements and gave attendees the opportunity to acquire some of the best Longhorn cattle in the country.

Texas Longhorn cattle with the longest tip-to-tip length are highly regarded by breeders and collectors. While some Texas Longhorns sell for under $1,000, registered animals with the widest horn spans -- those approaching 70 to 80 inches or more -- can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, and a few have sold for over $100,000. For example, at the Texas Longhorn Legacy Sale in March 2008, three-year-old SDR Candy Cane sold for $170,000 to become the highest selling Longhorn cow in modern history.

About TLMA

The Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance was established in 2007 to promote the dignity and integrity of Texas Longhorn cattle breed and to serve as voluntary stewards of the Longhorn legacy. Headquartered in Lampasas, Texas, TLMA's growing membership is comprised of thousands of dedicated Texas Longhorn breeders. The organization sponsors several sales events each year. More information about TLMA is located at www.thelonghornalliance.com.