The N.I.L.E

 

The NILE, Northern Internation Livestock Exposition is a week long event that takes place in Billings, Montana. It celebrates the rich history of the western tradition with a stock show, pro rodeo and horse extravaganza. Our family went up to participate. It was a lot of work, but we all had fun in the process and are making plans to do it again next year.

 

The trip started off 9:00 pm Monday night when we pulled out of the drive-way. The kids were all in their pajamas and ready to sleep in the trupick! Clay was really excited about sleeping in the truck, that is all he talked about for the first hour and a half keeping the girls awake, until he finally fell asleep. It was a perfect night to travel as the weather was very accomodating. We made it to around Island Park when Clay woke up and decided sleeping in the trupick was no longer fun. He wanted to get out! We let him cry it out and after about 50 minutes he stopped. We pulled into Bozeman, MT around 2:00 am and decided it would be best if we took a little snooze. We slept 3 hours (they were the hortest 3 hours of my life) then hit the road for our final destination...MetraPark in Billings. We made pretty good time and got there about 8:30 after eating a McDonalds breakfast. We all got busy and went to work setting up stalls, and getting the animals in tip-top shape to be on display. This was the longest day of them all, luckilyit ended with a swim and a soak at the hotel. We all slept well this night.

 

The next morning was show day for all the cattle. The day started early!

 

 

 

Jeslyn competed first. She was in class 2 showing Spud in Quality. At this show, they categorized them by hip height so she was showing with animals that were a lot heavier than Spud. He weighed in at 1190 after an 8 hour haul. Dirk figured he probably lost 150 - 200 lbs. during the trip, but he still looked fresh.

 

 

Jeslyn did very well, but the judge completely overlooked her steer commenting that he wasn't finished. Well, he wasn't 1600 lbs. like some of the others...but who want to eat that heavier of a steer?

 

Next she competed in the Junior Showmanship. Once again she did very well. She took first in Class and came back to compete for the grand champion. I think She finished 5th overall.

 

 

 

Jeslyn was a little disappointed but she shouldn't have been. Jes did very well for her 3rd time ever showing. I was very proud of her and it was a great experience.

 

Next up was the pen of 3 heifers. Luckily Dirk had a friend up there who a a couple daughters who were well versed and willing to help out. I think they each traded services for one another.

 

 

 

 

 

The heifers all competed individually. We took a 3rd, 4th and a 5th. Then Dirk competed as a breeder with the 3 individuals as a "Pen of Three".

 

It was fun to watch him. It is no doubt that he is a professional!

 

 

 

Dirk ended up the Reserve Champion!

 

 

After the show, we got the cattle settled and took a trip out to Haweye West. Which is were Genex houses a lot of there sires. We were able to walk through the grounds and see all the bulls housed there. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

 

We all had to wear these plastic boots, Clay was not happy about them at all!

 

 

And this is were my camera died! I wish I would have been able to take some pictures of some of the million dollar bulls housed there...WOW! Everyone who AI's should make a point at some time to check out the bulls they are using...they might be surprised!

 

The next day was sale day! I wish I would have had my camera. It was fun to watch Jeslyn lead her heifer Oakley around the sale ring.

Only 2 of the 3 heifers were able to sell, due to the number of entries. We did very well though averaging $2,200.00 a heifer.

 

All in all it was a very fun and eventful trip!

We all can't wait until next year!