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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
McCall Linke, Communications Director
Northern International Livestock Exposition
(406) 256-2495
Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo in Sidney, Mont. June 10!
Billings, MT-- The first NILE sanctioned ranch rodeo of the season starts this Saturday, June 10 in Sidney, Montana. The Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo kicks off at 1 p.m. at the Richland County Fairgrounds. 

Ranch Rodeo events are derived from tasks required for working ranches:  wild cow milking, bronc riding, doctoring, branding, and trailering. The contestants do this for fun, unlike the traditional rodeo contests who compete professionally. Ranch Rodeos are unique events and worth attending for rookie and veteran spectators alike.

The Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo and Empty Saddle Memorial Foundation was started in memory of Neal "Earl" Hermanson. He was a young horseman that passed away at the age of 23 in 2008.   Neal's parents wanted to help other riders and their horses to have the special bond that their son and his horse experience, so they created the Empty Saddle Memorial Foundation.  THe Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo is the main fundraiser for the ESMF. The funds are designated to help with medical expenses and scholarships. Since it began over $46,000 has been awarded to community members. 

Eight teams are competing this year. Including some teams that have made it to the NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals in the past. 

Fork U Cattle Co.--Wayne DeWitt, LJ Smith, Jared Hatter, Derek Mott, and Lacey Mott

Farmersonly.com--Emmett Johnson, Rider Peterson, Wade McMillen, Seth Indergard, and Tom Voll
Sponsored by: H-Heart Contracting

Schriefer Red & Reich Black Angus Ranches--Cody Irons, Caleb Strecker, Adron Doerr, Riley Schriefer, and Marc Schriefer
Sponsored by: Schrieffer and Reich Ranches

Ingalls/Martin Ranches--Trent Martin, Ryan Smith, Destry Northrop, and Spence Ingalls

Earl's Boys--Ryan Forbes, Ian Pennington, Cory Foss, Sam Irwin and Bronc Pipert
Sponsored by: Pennington Fencing

Sorenson Ranch--Trevor Kronberg, Buck Mitchell, Jarvis Sorenson, Eric Sorenson, Solly Danks, and Chas Ophus

Leland Red Angus/High Plains Vet Clinic--JJ Hovde, Todd Leland, Gary Schieber, Jarvis Klempel and Carla Leland
Sponsored by: High Plains Vet Clinic and Leland Red Angus

Don Evans Ranch--Jack Switzer, Don Evans, Wyatt Handy, Beau Franzen

The winning team from Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo will compete at the Farstad Oil Ranch Rodeo Finals at the NILE Saturday, October 14 at 7 p.m. in Billings, Montana. The NILE is proud to have the Neal Hermanson Memorial Ranch Rodeo as one of sanctioning partners.

To contribute to the ESMF contact [email protected] or mail donations to:
ESMF (Empty Saddle Memorial Foundation)
PO Box 785
Watford City, ND 58854

For more information call Nikki Winter (701) 770-4813
Jack Switzer Rides a Ranch Bronc at the 2016 NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals.
The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is a non-profit organization 501(c)5 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 . The 2017 NILE is October 14-21 in Billings, Montana.