Worrell is a former stuntman, actor and consummate cowboy, having appeared in such movies as "The Alamo" and "The Poseidon Adventure" and the TV series "Have Gun Will Travel" and "General Hospital." He had his own stunt show during HemisFair and can be seen in a new film, "Jericho," being released this year. Sundance is no slouch himself when it comes to acting credits, having appeared in a national Pace Picante Sauce TV commercial, a Charlie Daniels music video and on the Disney Channel in "Across America."

When Worrell asks his bovine "ham" to hold up his head if he's proud to be a Texan, Sundance proudly raises his massive head, sporting horns 9 feet across and still growing. When asked to shake hands, the affable longhorn offers Worrell one of his hooves. He can count and spell, too -- honest! Worrell's ultimate act of faith in his just-under-one-ton pet comes when Worrell lies down on stage and lets Sundance stroll over him length-wise. (In the old days, longhorns were known to avoid trampling cowpokes during a stampede, if possible. They were also known as the one animal to turn on the "enemy," if one of their own was attacked, and could spear and toss a horse with cowboy astride with one of their mighty horns.)

Also on the entertainment bill are the Diamond W Straight Shooters (specializing in good, old-time cowboy music, bad jokes and old-fashioned melodrama) and Kevin Fitzpatrick, master of trick and fancy roping. Volunteers from the audience are called upon to participate in all of the action, from shoot-outs to accompanying the cowboy band with spoon and washboard type musical instruments. (Warning: Volunteering to assist the trick roper will have you "tied up" for awhile. The ability to remain "flinchless" around a cracking bullwhip is also a prerequisite.)

Worrell himself is handy with a six-shooter and holds the crowd spellbound with his demonstrations of the "Road Agents Spin" and the "Curly Bill," both deadly methods of appearing to surrender a gun in the Old West. If you want to try your hand as a shootist, target-shooting a six-shooter with wax bullets is available prior to the supper show. Other attractions on this scenic Hill Country ranch include a humorous Boot Hill and guest participation in a cow chip toss (plastic facsimiles of the real thing), bull-head roping, horseshoe pitching, washer toss and rope making on a 100-year-old, rope-making machine. There is also an authentic General Store where Texas souvenirs can be purchased.

Supper, announced the old-fashioned way with a dinner bell, consists of barbecue brisket, smoked sausage or smoked turkey breast with pinto beans, potato salad, drop biscuits, iced tea and brownies, and is dished out in a room chock-full of western antiques and memorabilia, including vintage cowboy movie posters and photographs. Roy Rogers, Lash LaRue, William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and other famous cowboy and girl faces of yesteryear smile down on you as friendly ranch hands heap vittles on your plate. You can belly up to the bar at the nearby Long Branch Saloon for some Texas-brewed beer or soft drinks.

The Diamond W presents shows for groups of 40 or more, and once a show is scheduled, it is available for reservations by anyone who's interested. So call to find out when the next show is scheduled and head on down Bandera Road for some old-fashioned cowboy fun on the range.

Diamond W Longhorn Ranch, 18725 Bandera Road, Helotes, Texas; 210-695-4888; reservations required.