NILE Results: Wyoming exhibitors represent the state during Northern International Livestock Exposition
Billings, Mont. – The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) was held Oct. 14-22. The event hosted open and youth livestock shows, as well as livestock sales, rodeos and a trade show. Amongst the show results, Wyoming livestock exhibitors and ranch rodeo contestants topped the competition.
NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals
On Oct. 15, the teams comprised of Thompson Livestock of Lusk and South Pryor of Billings, Mont. won the champion and reserve champion titles, respectively, for the 2022 NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals. The champion team took home a paycheck of $2,500, trophy buckles sponsored by the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and qualification to the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association (WSRRA) World Finals. The reserve team took home a paycheck of $2,000, NILE jackets and a qualification to the WSRRA World Finals.
The Top Hand Award was given to Dusty Holland of the South Pryor team. He received a trophy saddle. This award is given to a contestant who is the handiest, best helper and the person one would want helping at the ranch.
New to the rodeo this year was an Open Ranch Bronc Ride. The standalone event had no impact on team scores.
Ten bronc riders vied for the top ride. Sam Phipps earned first place and a check for $1,000 and a Legend Tack and Silver Trophy Buckle sponsored by the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Taylor Merrill earned second, Kelly Holmquist placed third and Connor Dove placed fourth.
The Top Horse Award was given to Mischief, ridden by Jason Steffler of Steffler Ranch of Firth, Idaho. This award is given to the most athletic, cowy and best partner a cowboy could have. The top horse was given a bridle with rawhide romal and half-breed bit.
The fastest time team trailing went to Bootheel 7 & Hageman Ranches of Lusk. The fastest team branding went to Lazy J Hangin U Ranch of Dillon, Mont. The fastest team doctoring went to Thompson Livestock of Lusk, and fastest time in the wild cow milking went to the Steffler Ranch of Firth, Idaho.
The teams of four competed in wild cow milking, team branding, team doctoring and team trailering.
Club Calf Show results
Amanda Schnoor of Chowchilla, Calif. judged the 2022 NILE Club Calf Show held Oct. 17. The shows boosted big wins for youth from the Cowboy State.
In the Club Calf Show, Lane Rigdon of Mediapolis, Iowa took home the Grand Champion Club Calf Steer, and the Reserve Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Reese Wilkins of Torrington.
The Champion Pen of Three Steers was exhibited by Jhett West of Sheridan, and the reserve champion went to West Show Stock of Sheridan.
On the heifer side of the show, Young’s Show Cattle of Gillette won the Grand Champion Club Calf Heifer as well as the Reserve Champion Club Calf Heifer. Additionally, they won the Champion Pen of Three Heifers, and the Reserve Champion Pen of Three was awarded to B&K Livestock of Hobson, Mont.
The Champion Club Calf Futurity Heifer was exhibited by Regan Nansel of Billings, Mont., consigned by Bromenshenk Farms, and the Reserve Champion Club Calf Futurity Heifer was exhibited by Virginia Wing of Casper, consigned by Wing Show Stock.
For more information, visit thenile.org.
Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
