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While the 2016 NAILE continues through November 17, providing ample opportunity to visit the Giant Country Store, see livestock including cattle, goats, sheep, and swine, tonight marks your last chance to experience the thunder of the North American Championship Rodeo in the circuit finals of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Top cowboys and cowgirls from Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin are competing for over $80,000 in prizes as well as the title of Regional Champion.
The circuit finals include a variety of events including the bucking of bareback and saddled bronco riding, the action of roping and wrestling calves and steer, the speed of barrel racing. The night culminates with the thunder of bull riding as cowboys seek to hang on for a full ride of eight seconds as a bucking bull weighing up to a ton or more tries his best to shake the cowboy from his back.
The rodeo starts at 7:30PM tonight with tickets starting at $32 for adults and $10 for children. Be sure to show up early to experience everything else that the North American International Livestock Expo has to offer, including more animal excitement like the Draft Horse show and Cowboy Mounted Shooting events, in which Cowboys and Cowgirls race through the arena at full speed atop their horse while attempting to hit all of the targets with real firearms (shooting specialized blanks, of course) in less time than their opponents. Continue reading
The Sale of Champions celebrates accomplished young exhibitors who have raised award-winning market animals and serves as the capstone event of the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). This year’s Sale of Champions will take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in East Hall.
A total of six animals will hit the auction block, as the winning Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion hogs, lambs and steers are sold. Last year’s auction sales totaled a record-breaking $110,000. Ten percent of sales are donated to charitable organizations. The remaining 90 percent of the proceeds are split, with 10 percent going to promote the expo and 80 percent being divided amongst the young exhibitors. More than $1.75 million has been raised through the auction to promote youth involvement in agribusiness and fund charitable endeavors.
The involvement of young people remains a central focus at NAILE — from its 10 youth judging contests to its agriculture curriculum for school groups to the 4-H/FFA members who show livestock at its event. The Sale of Champions is one more example of NAILE’s commitment to the youth who will serve as future leaders of the agriculture industry.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
The North American Championship Rodeo comes to Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center November 10-12 for the Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo finals.
Held during the North American International Livestock Expo, rodeo contestants vie for over $80,000 in prizes and the title of Regional Champion. Winners will go on to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida, for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
During the North American Championship Rodeo, top cowboys and cowgirls from Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota. Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin will compete in a number of events, including:
- Bareback riding
- Bull riding
- Saddle bronc riding
- Steer wrestling
- Team roping
- Women’s barrel racing
- Rodeo clowns
The rodeo will feature special promotions on Friday and Saturday:
- Friday, November 11: Tough Enough to Wear Pink, fans and contestants are encouraged to wear pink and show their support for the fight against breast cancer, a portion of proceeds will be donated to Horses for Hope.
- Saturday, November 12: Kid’s Cowboy Hat Night, the first 500 children in the lobby after 6 p.m. will receive a free straw cowboy hat.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission ticket prices vary:
- Thursday, November 10 $25, adults $5, children (ages 2-12)
- Friday, November 11 $30, adults $10, children (ages 2-12)
- Saturday, November 12 $32, adults $10, children (ages 2-12)
Tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
While the North American International Livestock Exposition is packed with competitions, sales and contests, visitors in the know schedule time for the Giant Country Store. The store is located in the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center and open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 5-17. The exception is Nov. 11-12, which offers extended hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Giant Country Store features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 200 vendors offering almost anything you can imagine associated with livestock gear and western wear. All the latest products related to showing livestock are available, including specialized vehicle trailers for transporting animals and livestock gear, such as bridles and saddles. Shoppers will also find clothing, belt buckles, cowboy hats, arts and crafts, musical instruments, handcrafted furniture and jewelry. “Cowgirl chic” boutiques with the latest trends in western-style clothing and accessories round out the shopping experience.
When it’s time to take a break from shopping, visitors head to the expansive food court located nearby. From pizza to pork chops – there are tempting treats to fit everyone’s taste buds.
Another popular stop in the North Wing is the Art of Wool showcase, featuring displays and demonstrations by crafters of how wool goes from sheep to shawl. Children can visit the Children’s Barnyard, where they have the opportunity to interact with rabbits, mini horses, lambs, newly-hatched ducklings and other baby animals.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), the largest all-breed, purebred livestock expo in the world, returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center November 1-17. The event draws nearly 30,000 entries across 10 livestock divisions, all under one roof. Representing the 48 contiguous states, NAILE exhibitors show cattle, mules and donkeys, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas, sheep and horses, as they compete for nearly $750,000 in premiums and awards. The expo also attracts livestock breeders and agriculture professionals from around the world, contributing an estimated $8 million to the area’s economy.
NAILE strives to prepare the next generation for tomorrow’s breeding challenges, hosting the National Collegiate and 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contests. The exposition’s premier event, the Sale of Champions, benefits young exhibitors who often go on to pursue careers in agriculture. In 2015, the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion auction of steers, hogs and lambs brought in a record-breaking $110,000. Through the years, more than $1.75 million has been raised to promote youth involvement in agribusiness and fund charitable endeavors.
The expo kicks off with the North American Quarter Horse Show in Broadbent Arena November 1-9. Consistently ranked as a top five show by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), this competition features events such as halter, reining, cutting and team penning. The North American Championship Rodeo is also held in conjunction with NAILE, November 10-12 in Freedom Hall. Top cowboys and cowgirls compete for $80,000 in prize money and the title of Regional Champion in events ranging from bull riding to steer wrestling and women’s barrel racing to team roping. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night and tickets range from $25-$32 for adults and $5-$10 for children, depending on the evening.
The Giant Country Store draws shoppers interested in browsing the latest in western wear, livestock gear, musical instruments, handcrafted furniture, art, jewelry and more. The Farm City Luncheon is also a NAILE tradition. Produced by Louisville’s Agribusiness Industry Network, the program includes the presentation of the “Agribusiness of the Year” award and “Wing Tip Rodeo.” Ticket order forms are available at www.agribusinesslouisville.com/farm-city-luncheon.html.
Prices for NAILE admission and parking are:
- Children (ages 2-12) $3
- Adults $6 Seniors (age 55 and older) $3
- Parking (per day) $8 Admission passes and parking passes valid throughout the expo can be purchased for $25 each.
For more information about NAILE, the North American Quarter Horse Show and the North American Championship Rodeo, visit www.livestockexpo.org.
