Tom Moorhouse
7th RHA Working Cowboy Award | Eastern Division Recipient
Benjamin, TX | Moorhouse Ranch
Photograph by Ross Hecox
A fifth-generation rancher and cowboy, Tom Moorhouse has dedicated his life to the land and livestock of West Texas. His long-standing commitment to stewardship, horsemanship, and traditional cowboy values makes him a fitting recipient of this prestigious award. Moorhouse’s career spans decades of work on historic ranches, including the famed Moorhouse Ranch, where he has played an instrumental role in preserving ranching practices that have shaped the region’s cultural and economic legacy.
“Because of Tom’s dedication and skill in his trade, he has unintentionally done more than almost anyone to preserve the ‘working cowboy’ way of life,” said John Welch, vice president of the Ranching Heritage Association and retired CEO of Spade Ranches. “He was pure cowboy when ‘cowboy’ wasn’t cool. Who has done more to preserve the working cowboy way of life than Tom Moorhouse just by living it?”
From a young age, Moorhouse was immersed in the cowboy lifestyle, developing exceptional skills in horsemanship and cattle management. His dedication to the craft led him to work on several prominent Texas ranches, including the Tongue River Ranch and the 6666 Ranch.
Photograph by Ross Hecox
Moorhouse's expertise in training and handling horses has earned him numerous accolades, notably being named All-Around Cowboy twice at the Texas Ranch Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 2005, Moorhouse was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, a testament to his significant contributions to the ranching industry.
Beyond his personal achievements, Moorhouse has played a pivotal role in preserving and advancing ranching practices. Alongside his family, he continues to operate the Moorhouse Ranch Company, maintaining cow/calf, farming, and stocker operations across West and Central Texas. His dedication to the land and livestock, coupled with his willingness to embrace progressive techniques, underscores his status as a respected leader in the ranching community.
Photograph by Ross Hecox
Photograph by Ross Hecox