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American Shorthorn Association honors Mary Hinton Bass, center, of Olton, Texas, as a 2023 Shorthorn Heritage Award Winner. (Photo courtesy of American Shorthorn Association)
The American Shorthorn Association Awards hosted their Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 22, 2023, at the Hilton Kansas City Airport in Kansas City, MO.
Mary Hinton Bass of Olton, Texas, was honored as a 2023 Heritage Award Winner. The Shorthorn Heritage Award recognizes Shorthorn members who have shown exceptional leadership for Shorthorn activities in a state or regional area. These honorees are persons that have shown exceptional passion in all areas of the breed. Award recipients have promoted the breed by taking leadership roles within their respective geographical areas. They are individuals that can be given credit to helping with the long-term success of the breed at any level. They have attended functions, been a mainstay, and have shown their passion and love for the breed and the people in the breed. A heritage Award winner is a true Shorthorn enthusiast who has positively impacted the breed to the benefit of all Shorthorn breeders.
Mary received her first Shorthorn heifer when her dad purchased a heifer for her to show in 4H. This began her ongoing passion of 62 years being involved in promoting the Shorthorn breed. She was a charter member of the Texas Junior Shorthorn Association and later served as secretary/ treasurer for three years. She served as a princess and the Texas Shorthorn Lassie and represented the state in the National Lassie Queen contest in 1969. While in college she met her husband, J.O. and they moved her herd to his farm in west Texas and call it MJ Shorthorns.
She served for many years as the Texas Shorthorn Association secretary/treasurer. As part of her duties, she traveled to a few events to promote the shorthorn breed. She served on the National Shorthorn Lassie board and was honored as National Lassie of Year in 1985. After her son James began showing, they traveled to shows across the state. She hopes to be around long enough to get her grandkids started in the Shorthorn business.
The American Shorthorn Association congratulates Mary Hinton Bass on the prestigious honor as being selected as a 2023 Heritage Award Winner. About ASA The American Shorthorn Association’s mission is to serve all members, protect the integrity of the herd-book and data base; enhance and communicate the value of the Shorthorn breed, and expand the use of Shorthorn genetics in the U.S. beef industry. Visit shorthorn.org to learn more.