The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is the world's largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition. Ten different species of livestock compete in the exposition, and the purebred beef and sheep events are the largest in the world. Accompanying the event, the North American Quarter Horse Show is among the top five shows in the nation and the North American Championship Rodeo features the invitational finals for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Throughout the show, visitors will also enjoy the Giant Country Store with its nearly 150 commercial vendors.

NAILE Events

The Livestock -- Within the realm of competition, NAILE offers 10 major divisions of livestock entries -- dairy cattle, dairy goats, llamas and alpacas, quarter horses, draft horses, market swine, beef cattle, boer goats, mules and donkeys and sheep. Particular interest is given to the industry's future as seven major youth judging contests take place during the show and assist in preparing the next generation for tomorrow's breeding challenges. All appearing under one roof, these competitions help make NAILE the premier livestock event in the world.

The Rodeo -- The NAILE livestock events are rightly complimented by the wild excitement of the North American Championship Rodeo -- the invitational finals for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo Finals brings the top cowboys and cowgirls together to compete for over $80,000 in prizes and the title of Regional Champion. The action is homegrown with the Great Lakes Circuit including participants from Kentucky and the neighboring states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The total purse ranks among the top 10 percent of all PRCA rodeo prize money and is the second largest purse for a circuit final.

NAILE Schedule

Beef Cattle -- Nov. 14-20

Boer and Junior Wether Goats -- Nov. 18-19

Championship Rodeo -- Nov. 12-14

Dairy Cattle -- Nov. 6-10

Dairy Goats -- Nov. 6-8

Draft Horses -- Nov. 13-14

Giant Country Store -- Nov. 7-20

Llamas and Alpacas -- Nov. 6-8

Mules and Donkeys -- Nov. 12-14

Quarter Horses -- Nov. 4-12

Sheep -- Nov. 13-20

Swine -- Nov. 8-9

2009 Rodeo Features

Rodeo Announcer Roger Mooney -- ProRodeo announcer Roger Mooney returns to the 30th annual North American Championship Rodeo in 2009. Known for announcing rodeos from the back of his horse, Mooney is a household name among rodeo fans across America. He has served as announcer twice at the Las Vegas National Finals Rodeo and multiple times at the Dodge National Circuit Finals. He is the featured announcer at more than 45 rodeos across the nation annually. When he's not traveling, Mooney makes his home in Ellijay, Ga.

Championship Rodeo Events

Bareback Riding -- As they burst from the chute, the cowboy must keep both spurs above the horse's shoulders until the horse's hooves hit the ground. Then, as the horse bucks, the rider drags his spurs up the bronc's shoulders, straightens his legs as he descends, and tries to stay on for eight seconds.

Saddle Bronc Riding -- The cowboy must keep his toes turned outward and continually spur the horse from its shoulders to the back of the saddle. Points are awarded based on the horse's bucking action, the rider's spurring action, his control of the horse, and if he stays on for a full eight seconds.

Team Roping -- After the steer bursts from the gate, the lead rider, or header, must get his lasso around both of the steer's horns, around one horn and the head, or around its neck. Then the second rider, or heeler, has to get his rope around both hind legs. If he only gets one leg, the team is penalized five seconds. The fastest time wins.

Women's Barrel Racing -- Racing down an entry ramp, the cowgirl and her horse burst into the arena and follow a set path around three large barrels arranged in a triangular pattern. The cowgirl receives a penalty if she or the horse touches a barrel. After turning around the last barrel in the back of the arena, the horse sprints back to the entrance to record the fastest time possible.

Steer Wrestling -- Ever try wrestling a steer or jumping from a running horse? Cowboys must do both in steer wrestling. The cowboy slides off his galloping horse, hooks his right arm around the steer's right horn, grasps the left horn with his left hand, and tries to muscle the animal to the dirt. The fastest time wins.

Tie Down -- As in team roping, the calf gets a running start, with the cowboy throwing his rope around the calf's head. His horse then stops and the cowboy jumps off, runs to the calf, picks it up and drops it to its side in a move called "flanking." He must tie any three legs together with a short rope, and the horse pulls back to eliminate slack in the rope. This is also a timed event.

Bull Riding -- Usually saved for last, bull riding is often the most popular rodeo event. With nothing between him and the 2,000 plus pound goliath, the rider must hold on to a braided rope wrapped around the bull's chest using only one hand. If he touches the bull or himself with his free hand, he doesn't receive a score. The score is determined by how much the beast bucks and turns, and if the cowboy can stay on for eight seconds.

Rodeo Clowns -- And don't forget about the wild antics of the clowns throughout the performance. While they entertain and delight the crowd, the clowns also serve a very important purpose -- protecting the cowboys. Once a rider jumps or is thrown from his animal, the clowns get in the face of the bucking beast to distract it and keep its mind off of going after the cowboy.

Championship Rodeo Schedule

Nov. 12 -- 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 -- 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 -- 7:30 p.m.

* Doors open at 6 p.m. each evening

Sale of Livestock

Saturday, Nov. 7 -- 4:30 p.m.

Pot-O-Gold Sale, Newmarket Hall

Sunday, Nov. 8 -- 5 p.m.

All American Jersey Sale, West Hall

Friday, Nov. 13 -- 7 p.m.

Stars of Louisville Market Lamb, Mamma East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 10 a.m.

Stars of Louisville Shropshire Sale, East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 12:30 p.m.

Stars of Louisville Southdown Sale, East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 2 p.m.

Stars of Louisville Hampshire Sale, East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 3:30 p.m.

North American International

Suffolk Sale, East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 4 p.m.

Feeder Calf Sale, Newmarket Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 6 p.m.

Stars of Louisville Montadale Sale, East Hall

Saturday, Nov. 14 -- 7:30 p.m.

Stars of Louisville Tunis Sale, East Hall

Sunday, Nov. 15 -- 1 p.m.

National Red Angus Sale, Newmarket Hall

Sunday, Nov. 15 -- 4:30 p.m.

North American Shorthorn Heifer Calf

Futurity Sale, Newmarket Hall

Monday, Nov. 16 -- 1 p.m.

Charolais Sale, Newmarket Hall

Monday, Nov. 16 -- 5 p.m.

Simmental Sale, Newmarket Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 17 -- 1 p.m.

Red Poll Sale, Newmarket Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 17 -- 3 p.m.

Chianina Sale, Newmarket Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 11 a.m.

Lowline Angus Sale, Newmarket Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 3 p.m.

Hereford Sale, Newmarket Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 4:30 p.m.

Miniature Hereford Sale, Newmarket Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 7 p.m.

Boer Goat Sale, East Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 7 p.m.

Belted Galloway Sale, Newmarket Hall

Thursday, Nov. 19 -- 6 p.m.

Sale of Champions, East Hall

Directions

The Kentucky Exposition Center is located at the junction of I-65 and I-264 in Louisville. Signs reading "Fair/Expo Center" on both interstates lead to the main gate. Visitors may want to beat the traffic by entering Gates 2 and 4 on Crittenden Drive or Gate 6 on Preston Highway.