Fort Worth has buckled down a new sheriff in town for its legendary twice-daily cattle drive, and her name is Georgia Cartwright. Not a sheriff, of course, but as the newly appointed trail boss of the Fort Worth Herd, Cartwright takes the reins of the world's only such spectacle, deemed one of Texas's must-see attractions. Cartwright is no greenhorn; she ropes in an extensive background in the cattle business and a passion for cowboy culture.
Raised in the saddle, Cartwright confesses to an interview, per the City of Fort Worth's official site, that "an honest day's work for an honest day's pay" has been her lifelong creed. Having been steeped in the horse and cattle industry since childhood, she carries forward the same work ethic that has always been the backbone of her family's way of life. In the same breath, "Always ride for the brand," she cites as integral to her philosophy.
The role of the trail boss lassoed Cartwright with its commitment to preserving Fort Worth's western heritage. "I want our visitors and guests of the Fort Worth Stockyards and the City of Fort Worth to get a feeling of where we came from," Cartwright told the Fort Worth City website. Through carting guests back to the roots of the city, she aims to keep alive the stories of the settlers and ranchers who forged Fort Worth's path.
For the uninitiated, the Fort Worth cattle drive is no mere tourist gimmick; it's a nod to living history, an authentic re-enactment of the city's origins. When asked to sketch a portrait of the drive, Cartwright's description was straightforward: a tribute to the city's western legacy that allows spectators to dip their toes into a storied Texan past, complete with hospitality that's as much a part of the state as a solid steak.
