A Timeless Tradition by Summer Dean He is a true cowboy. With his hand-made spurs and high-top boots, his intensely sharp eyes and raw, worn face, his bushy mustache that almost hides his smile — there is nothing that dates Bob Moorhouse. Moorhouse is a man of many names. He is a distinguished and renowned rancher, cattleman, horseman and photographer. His successes have led him to a state of stardom that his polite, humble, and genuine personality deem him to be uncomfortable with. Moorhouse is known mainly as the manager of the Pitchfork Ranch of west Texas and as a celebrated photographer. Although ranching is his life, photography has become his addiction. "It’s actually something I put off for about 15 years," Moorhouse said. He and his life-long friend Wyman Meinzer, a notorious wildlife photographer, began taking pictures together while Meinzer was doing his graduate research at Texas Tech University on coyotes. "I was using a little 35mm camera one day, and Wyman just told me I need a bigger lens," Moorhouse chuckled. That was many lenses ago for Moorhouse. "And it all started with a picture of some wild turkeys." Although he has been taking pictures for years, Moorhouse became even more recognized because of his book, "Pitchfork Country." The book is a collection of scenes found around the ranch from the cowboys to the wildlife. "People were telling me I ought to do a book," Moorhouse said. So with help of friends, a book was published and has become a hot seller. "When we got the book back, it looked good and then I got excited." He did not realize the success and response the book would receive. Moorhouse has established quite a reputation as his pictures become more recognizable and prevalent. His photographs have been published in several publications such as Western Horseman Magazine, the Texas Farmer Stockman, and the Cattleman — just to name a few. Moorhouse carries his camera with him on his saddle, "I don’t always have it with me. It depends on the weather and what we’re doing," Moorhouse said. "I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it." Photography has become a lucrative hobby for Moorhouse. "I don’t want it to be like I have to do it," Moorhouse said. But he does not complain. "I like it when I can look through the lens and see dollar signs." People always ask him how he gets so many good pictures. "You ought to see how much I throw away," Moorhouse laughed. He gives credit of his photography to the access he has every day to the cowboys, horses, and cattle on the ranch. Moorhouse’s photography "access" parallels with his style of ranching. "I like the tradition of the ranch. If I didn’t I would be here." Moorhouse said. Tradition is a strong word around the Pitchfork Ranch. It has been a working ranch for 117 years, and Moorhouse has been the manager since 1986. He came to the Pitchfork in 1972 as assistant manager. He has been there for 28 years and is only the sixth manager of the ranch since its beginning in 1883. Moorhouse comes from the ranching family of the Moorhouse Ranch Company. He and his three older brothers, Tom, Ed, and John, were known as the "Moorhouse boys" growing up on the Moorhouse ranch which is still in operation today. Moorhouse began college at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, but earned his animal business degree at Texas Tech University. "I was a Red Raider before that was a political term," Moorhouse said. From Tech, he moved to the ranch. "I never considered doing anything else." All his life he knew he would be in the ranching business. Moorhouse is a huge part of a prestigious ranching tradition. The Pitchfork Ranch is known for producing prize horses and top cattle all over the world. "I can’t take credit for that," Moorhouse said. "The Pitchfork Ranch is the Pitchfork Ranch. It’s not me." With 117 years as a working ranch, the Pitchfork has made a name for itself. Its traditional way of ranching and authentic cowboys make the ranch a spectacle. People from all over travel to see the ranch and take tours to see how it actually works. "Around here you won’t see boys on four-wheelers in ball caps and tennis shoes like other ranches; you see men with cowboy hats, riding horses," Moorhouse said. "Some people call me a traditionalist," he said. But just like he keeps up with the latest equipment for his photography, Moorhouse deals with the newest trends of the cattle industry. Moorhouse markets the cattle and operates the ranch with the perfect combination of tradition and trends. He uses the latest and best technology to market and raise the ideal herd of Hereford cattle. With his heart in the past and his eyes in the future, Moorhouse has a firm grasp of the theories of ranching. For the future of the Pitchfork Ranch, he believes "the strong will get stronger and the weak will drop out." Moorhouse trusts that the smart and energetic ranchers and the education of the public will further the growth of the industry. "There ‘s going to be dimples in the road but as long as there’s a McDonalds and Burger King, somebody has to make the meat," Moorhouse said. The people that know Bob Moorhouse capture the true essence of his demeanor. Stella Cater has worked as the secretary of the ranch for 12 years. "I have the best job in about a 500 mile radius. Where else could you look outside your window and see wild turkeys grazing in the pasture?" Cater said. She describes Moorhouse as a fair man. "His wife describes him as a man of few words," Carter said. "And I agree." Moorhouse lives at the ranch with his wife, Linda, and his two daughters, Amy and Keri. Moorhouse said his girls have grown to love the ranch and are very proud of their ranching heritage. Moorhouse has truly mastered his way of life and made it into a fine art. He is admired by his peers and others in the agriculture industry. Aside from all his many names, Bob Moorhouse is a husband, father, and a steward of the land his creator provided. He is a living legend. He is a true cowboy.