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First Timers Guide to Denver

The chances of the National Western moving to a new facility seem to have gone away so there’s not the imperative to get up there and see the spectacle that there was a few years ago.  But you want to go.  If you’ve ever even considered it, you want to go.

It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t use any of the bulls that will be on display.

The forecast says it’s going to be 55 degrees which -speaking from experience- will be hot for the bulls that will be there.  The year it got to a big above 60 degrees a large portion of them had a ton of saliva stream from their mouths from panting.


But Jeff, if they can’t deal with even 60 degrees, how can they deal with the heat in my region in their working clothes?

I don’t think you understand what the National Western is.  Heat tolerance isn’t something that will be promoted on banners.  They’re haired bulls that have been in coolers to grow two inches of shag and they have gallons of product on them standing in the sun for several hours at a time.


What is the schedule?

Bulls are brought out throughout the day and for some of the bigger owners, certain stalls will have bulls rotated in several hour shifts.

Friday

The bulls will be about 95%.

In my opinion, Friday is the best day to go visit.  Bulls are their freshest and the crowds aren’t as big as Saturday.  I just know that we were asked more than a few times to wait until Saturday to shoot video because that was the day the bulls were going to look their best.

Saturday

If everything went by design, the bulls would never look better than they do on the Saturday of Denver weekend.

The biggest crowds will be around and on a good day you’ll have to shoulder in to get a look.

Sunday

There will be bulls on display that have barely even been fit.

Sunday is a relatively new part of the National Western experience.  Just a few years ago the entire herd bull alley was nothing but a pile of sawdust by noon on Sunday.  

Can I see them walk?

If you get there are the right time, yes.  The right time is when the animal is walking to and from the pens.

If I were a bull owner with a bunch of sound bulls, I’d put up a sign on my stall saying “we’re going to be at the exercise pens with our bulls at so-and-so time, please come by and see them move”.

Is semen available?  Should I bring my tank?

The answer is almost unanimously no.  The bulls on display are typically less than a year old and have been getting primed for Denver, not semen production.  Most of them will have weight taken off before they are collected.

If you are interested in a bull, there is typically a list that the owners keep where you put your name and contact information.  They’ll contact you after they have semen collected.

Can I video the bulls?

That’s a gray area at this point.  Technically I think you’re still supposed to get permission from the National Western and then Show Champions.  However, there’s no way they’re going to be able to stop social media posts.

Just don’t be a dick.  If you’re going to shoot a Vine of a bull, say “hey, mind if shoot a quick Vine of your bull?”

If they say no, move on, it’s their bull, not yours.

Should I ask questions?

Yes, it’s just like any other trade show, the guys with the bulls are there to sell you semen (well, maybe not entirely like any other trade show) and are more than happy to talk with you.

How do I go to the sales?

If you want a good seat, get there an hour or two in advance.  Otherwise, plan on standing.

Are there American bulls?

No, and it in most cases it would be an insult to ask if the owner thinks the bull has a sloppy enough sheath to produce Americans.

What does it cost?

Nothing but the cost of parking ($15-40) if you just go to the yards.  If you want to go up on the hill where they are showing cattle, you will have to pay for a badge or daily admission.

Josh commented 1/14/2015 8:46:48 AM
Not to mention a lot of these bulls are coming from the Midwest where 60 is considered a heatwave