FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

McCall Linke, Communications Director

Northern International Livestock Exposition

(406) 256-2495

mccall@thenile.org

Cowboy Protection at the NILE ProRodeo

Billings, MT- Bull riders wear layers of protective clothing and gear to keep themselves safe, but the most important piece of protection is not a helmet or a vest, it's the bullfighter.

The NILE ProRodeo is proud to have Al Sandvold, a 20 year PRCA bullfighter, on cowboy protection duty for the eighth year. Alongside him in the arena will be one of Sandvold's friends and former students, Nate Jestes, who has been in the business almost ten years.

Sandvold did not grow up in a rodeo family, but the few rodeos that he did attend as a child were enough to shape what he knew he wanted to do. His heart was never set on bull riding, but on saving cowboys and fighting bulls.

Sandvold's love of bull riding and desire to help cowboys led him to attend a 3-day bullfighting training school from Loyd Ketchum in 1992. He quickly realized it didn't matter if you were fast; the key was to have a calm mind, an understanding of how animals move and the ability to anticipate what they were going to do. He was immediately hooked.

Rodeo, like most other sport atmospheres, has a certain element of community that develops. Sandvold enthused, "The rodeo lifestyle is great. Everyone is your friend and they are supportive and want to see you do well. One rider is going to come out and be cheering for the next one when they're done; rodeo is just that way."

While most people wouldn't dare dream of being in an arena with a wild bull, let alone taunting and distracting the 1,800 pound creatures, it's all in a day's work for these protectors. "We aren't adrenaline junkies though," remarked Sandvold. "We're just passionate."

"There are always the bulls and the cowboys, but the dynamics of every rodeo are different," mentioned Sandvold, who is excited to be a part of this year's NILE PRCA rodeo for a few specific reasons. "The NILE is special to me because it's close to home. I've known the committee for years, and they have become close friends of mine. It's like a big family reunion when we get to come to Billings for the NILE."

Another reason this year's NILE is special to Sandvold is that it is his retirement year. "I'm pushing mid 40s," said Sandvold. "My main goal as I went through my career was to go out somewhere on top. There's a fine line between going too long and quitting too soon. It doesn't do anyone any good to go too long. When you can't do your job well, you'll end up hurting yourself or someone else, which isn't fair to anyone. My goal was to make it 20 years in the PRCA, and this year is that year."

"Other than that, the bumps and bruises just don't heal like they used to," laughed Sandvold.

The NILE ProRodeo, in its 48th year, is the largest Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in Montana. This year's NILE event kicks off the 2016 PRCA rodeo season. The NILE Rodeo provides a launching pad for contestants to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, in December of next year.

Rodeo action starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the NILE ProRodeo can be purchased by visiting the MetraPark box office, online at metrapark.com or by calling the Metra ticket office at (800) 366-8538. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.TheNile.org or call the NILE office at (406) 256-2495.

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 established in 1967 that is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education, and respect of the western tradition. For more information on the NILE call 406-256-2495 or visit www.thenile.org.

Northern International Livestock Exposition

(406) 256-2495 | info@thenile.org | thenile.org

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