May 21, 2003 12:00 PM

More than 140 livestock shows, a huge country market with more than 200 vendors, and a championship rodeo — all are part of the 30th annual North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) to be held November 8 through 21 at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, KY.

Known as the largest all-breed, purebred livestock show in the world, NAILE features competition for dairy cattle, beef cattle, dairy goats, llamas and alpacas, draft horses, quarter horses, swine, sheep and boer goats.

The exposition also holds seven major youth judging contests, including the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest and the National Collegiate Contest.

Country Store. Showgoers buy the latest in western wear and livestock gear at the exposition’s expansive Country Store. Shoppers walking the aisles of the indoor market also find handcrafted furniture, pottery, and jewelry, as well as livestock trailers and equipment.

In the Art of Wool Showcase, visitors learn how wool goes from sheep to shawl. Skilled craftswomen demonstrate how wool is spun and then woven into fabrics.

Rodeo. Courageous, athletic cowboys and cowgirls vie for the title of Regional Champion at the North American Championship Rodeo. These Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo finals of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association feature some of the top competitors in “America’s original sport.” The rodeo’s total purse — more than $70,000 — is the second largest purse for a circuit finals.

This year’s rodeo will be held November 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets go on sale August 25 through all Ticketmaster outlets (or www.ticketmaster.com) or the Fairgrounds Box Office (800/231-8085).

Horse shows. The NAILE Quarter Horse Show consistently ranks as one of the top five American Quarter Horse Association shows in the nation. The show draws more than 5,200 entries in competition that includes reining, cutting, showmanship, hunter under saddle, pole bending, barrel racing, western pleasure, calf and steer roping, and team roping.

NAILE’s popular Draft Horse Show features Belgian, Percheron, and Clydesdale breeds in halter and hitch classes.

School tours. Students are treated to the exposition’s educational tours, which include a walk through the barns, show rings, and exhibits, and visits with the baby animals in the Children’s Barnyard. Students see a variety of animal breeds and learn about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.

Find out more. For more information about this premier, 14-day livestock exposition, visit www.livestockexpo.org.

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