BILLINGS, MONT.- The eighth annual NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals were held Wednesday, October 15 in the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark. This year's rodeo featured twelve teams who qualified for the finals at NILE sanctioned rodeos throughout the year. 

Qualifying Teams:

Abel Ranch/Windancer Ranch, Custer, MT

Roedeske/Neshum Ranches, Sidney, MT

Pine Ridge Ranch, Hardin, MT

Bootheel 7 Livestock, Lusk, WY

Steffler Ranch, Firth, ID

Reid Ranch/Stensland Land & Livestock, Poplar, MT

Four Three Land and Cattle, Lusk, WY

Sargent Ranches Inc., Shawmut, MT

Korman Ranch, Hinsdale, MT

Reid Ranch, Idaho Falls, ID

Swenson Martin Horse & Cattle/Rieger Cattle, Beulah, ND and Ismay, MT

Sand Creek Cattle Co, Sand Springs, MT

The traditional ranch rodeo format closely resembles the daily activities that take place on any given cattle ranch and includes saddle bronc riding, team trailering, team branding, team doctoring, and wild cow milking.

1. Bootheel 7 Livestock, Lusk, WY. (Qualified through Wyoming Ranch Rodeo Finals). This team will represent the NILE at the Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) finals in Amarillo, TX in November. (awarded $300 Vitalix gift certificate, Montana Silversmiths buckles - sponsored by Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame)

2. Roesdeske/Neshum Ranches from Sydney, MT. (Qualified through Neil Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo)  

3. Swenson Martin Horse and Cattle/Rieger Cattle from Beulah, ND and Ismay, MT. (Qualified through Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo)  

TOP HORSE AWARD/AQHA TOP HORSE: 

Shining Bellboy ridden by DJ Martin of the Korman Ranch, Hinsdale, MT

DJ Martin received a pair of custom Montana Silversmiths spurs as well as $250 and a bronze trophy from AQHA.

In celebration of the American Quarter Horse's legacy on the ranches of the American West as the chosen mount for generations of cowboys, the AQHA Top Horse Award recognizes the top registered American Quarter Horse at each qualifying WRCA rodeo.

TOP HAND AWARD:

Robert Sperry of the Roesdeske/Neshum Ranches, Sydney, MT

Awarded a trophy saddle made by Corriente Saddle Company

HARD LUCK TEAM:

Reid Ranch, Idaho Falls, ID

Awarded custom made scarves from Wild Rags by Lois

For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit www.TheNile.org.