A stroll through the history of the National Western Stock Show

These years would bring a really big high and a significant low to the National Western Stock Show.

In 2006 the National Western Stock Show celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Total livestock and horse entries were the largest ever. A 100th-anniversary book, Riding High, Colorado Ranchers and 100 Years of the National Western Stock, would be issued. Also issued in commemoration were three different limited edition rifles, a Henry lever action rifle (100) for $999, a Winchester Model 1892 (50) for $2,495, and a Winchester Model 1866 (50) for $2,695. Other items were issued in commemoration, belt buckles, key fobs, a commemorative sculpture, Justin Boots, clothing, jewelry, and a poster. Four Commemorative saddles were commissioned and auctioned in support of the National Western Scholarship Fund.

Every event was special. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride visited. A record 726,972 people would visit the Stock Show.

Then fifteen years later in January of 2021, the low would hit. A worldwide pandemic was in full swing, and mandatory restrictions on gatherings were in place. The National Western Stock Show would be canceled for only the second time in its 115-year history. While some events went online via videotelephony the bulk of the Stock Show was canceled. Able to go online in part were the Coors Art Show and Boots ‘n Business.
The National Western Stock Show was granted permission to hold the Catch-A-Calf show with participants, family members, judges and necessary staff being the only individuals allowed to be present.

The continual evolution of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) events continued in 1996. With their own arena for shows in the Events Center, the horse department now was able to hold more horse events. In 1996 two events whose popularity continues to grow began. Both the Invitational Freestyle Reining and Dancing Horses had their first year.

Other livestock would also make their first appearance at the National Western during these years.

Elk were shown for the first time in 1997. An Elk show was held every year in the Yards between 1997 and 2001. After 2001 the Elk show was discontinued due to chronic wasting disease being found in Colorado and becoming widespread.