Exciting News for Outdoor Rodeo in Billings Starting This Summer

There's some exciting news for outdoor rodeo in Billings, Montana...but first- a little background.

When David Allen was announced as the new general manager of the NILE in Billings, Montana, I knew he was gonna start to deliver on some big ideas. He worked very closely with NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, ran marketing for Wrangler Jeans, and is the former CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. So when David Allen says he has some big plans for the NILE, you know he means business.

The big news is that they're bringing outdoor radio back to Billings for MontanaFair this August. Wait, will they have an outdoor arena up and running this summer at the Metra? That's the plan. In a press conference launching Rodeo Billings earlier this week, Allen said "The new outdoor arena is a game changer for NILE." Rodeo Billings also announced the lineup for the contract personnel for the the inaugural Rodeo Billings:

Announcers:

Bob Tallman

Garrison Allen

Bullfighters:

Beau Schueth

Koby Ruff

Rodeo Clown:

Tate Rhoads

Stock Contractors:

J Bar J

Pickett Pro Rodeo

MontanaFair also posted this update on Facebook: "Rodeo Billings will host a three-day rodeo, August 14-16, in a brand-new outdoor arena near the old grandstands."

What about some of the stock? Here's more details from what Rodeo Billings shared later in the week:

Pickett Pro Rodeo: Horses from Pickett are known for their high quality and have earned respect from riders in their ability to help them earn high scores in competition. In the last five years, two of their horses have been named PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year - “Night Crawler” in 2023 and 2024, and “Top Flight” in 2020. “Top Notch” was voted the best horse at the NFR in 2018.

J Bar J: Owned by Sparky Dreesen of Circle, Montana, J Bar J has solidified its place in ProRodeo history with its consistently exceptional bucking stock. Sparky, a former PRCA bareback rider, and his wife Marlene, purchased J Bar J in 2008. Most recently at the 2024 NFR, 12 horses were from J Bar J, including two horses who earned Rank Horse of the Night honors - “Drunk Bunny” twice, and “Shady Jacket” once. J Bar J is a 3X winner of the PRCA Remuda Award, given annually to the stock contractor that provides the best, most consistent pen of bucking horses. Dreesen was recently inducted into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

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