Seymour's Bob Moorhouse will be recognized for his achievements during the 31st annual National Golden Spur Award Dinner on Oct. 4 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

This award, the only one of its kind, honors individuals who have contributed to the ranching and livestock industry, spotlights the humanistic and scientific contributions of the industry to society, and recognizes the accomplishments of the nation's top ranchers.

Recipients have included individuals from across the United States who represent almost every aspect of the agribusiness and livestock industry.

"I am very honored to be in such a group," Moorhouse said.

The American Quarter Horse Association nominated Moorhouse for the honor, and Buster Welch of Rotan will present the award to him for his lifelong contributions in the ranching field.

Moorhouse, who served as the sixth vice president and general manager of Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co. in Guthrie, is widely known for his efforts in preserving the traditions of ranching through his photography and horsemanship.

"I'm from a ranching family. It's a profession that doesn't pay very well, but I want to preserve my heritage," he said. "We should be stewards of our land."

Moorhouse's photographs have revealed the face of the American West and have been printed in "The Cattleman," "Western Horseman," "The American Quarter Horse Journal," "American Cowboy" and more. Also among his works is the book "Pitchfork Country: The Photography of Bob Moorhouse," authored by Jim Pfluger and published by the National Ranching Heritage Center.

Moorhouse's passion for photography may be rivaled only by his heart for horses. He has won a Reserve Championship and two National Ranch Working Horse Championships in Abilene with his horse "Tex."

"Cowboys have pride," he said in a Texas Tech news release. "It's a tough life. It's got to be in your blood."

He also was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth in January 2002 and is a Distinguished Alumnus of the Texas Tech College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, from which he graduated in 1972.

Moorhouse is the director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, Working Ranch Cowboys Association, Ranching Heritage Association's National Advisory Board, American Quarter Horse Association and the Ranch Horse of America Association.