NILE

NILE in Billings is built around a stated mission to preserve and embrace the western way of life, split across horse events, a stock show, ranch rodeo, and youth programs. Horse days cover barrel races, the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge, a versatility ranch horse competition, NILE Ranch Rodeo, and the NILE Gold Buckle Select Horse Sale. The stock show offers 14 open and junior breed shows, four junior fed market shows, a pen show, and multiple breed sales. Ranch rodeo runs two nights of working-cowboy events, with a preliminary round and finals. Youth pieces include a 4th grade agricultural education program, the NILE Merit Heifer program, the NILE Colt Classic, and Radiant Rodeo. A trade show and Stetsons and Stilettos are also on the event list.

Our take: Ranch-rodeo fans should plan on both nights, since the working-cowboy events run a preliminary round and then the finals.