PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita headed for Kim Medeiros and Joyce Miranda to fill in second and third places of the Dally Team Roping en route to being named All Around Cowgirl during the recent Kaua‘i All Girls Rodeo Association event
PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita headed for Kim Medeiros and Joyce Miranda to fill in second and third places of the Dally Team Roping en route to being named All Around Cowgirl during the recent Kaua‘i All Girls Rodeo Association event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
On the Medeiros run, Akita and the secretary of KAGRA picked up the event’s Fast Time on a 9.31 go, the team finishing in second place with a 27.8 average on two gos.
Heading for Miranda, the pair finished third with a 30.5 average on two gos, the Dally Team Roping being taken by the duo of Alexis Vasconcelles and Britni Ludington-Braun on a 26.64 average.
But in the 3D Barrel Racing, Akita, the 2010 KAGRA All Around Cowgirl, had her hands full as Taylor Ludington, the reigning Miss Hawai‘i Rodeo Queen, edged her out of the top spot in the 1st D Barrels by a mere .010 seconds, Ludington stopping the clock at 18.116 to Akita’s 18.126 go.
That edge pushed Ludington to the Reserve All Around Cowgirl honor.
In addition to her top finish in the Barrels, Ludington edged Akita for second place in the 3D Pole Bending event, Ludington taking second with a 22.734 over Akita’s 22.85.
The tight competition was no fluke for the reigning rodeo queen as she picked up the Fast Time in Breakaway Roping with a 3.21 go en route to finishing fourth with a 16.21 average.
Top honors in Breakaway went to Alexis Vasconcelles with a 10.95, followed by Laureen Naumu-Balocan (11.88) and Rosanne Shimogawa (14.82). Wendy Tannery rounded out the leaders at 16.78 for fifth below Ludington.
Shimogawa topped the 2nd D Barrels on a 19.775 go, just .001 over Tara Fernandez (19.776), Shan Mundon (19.804), Summer Malina (19.85) and Hallie Cristobal (20.006).
Tammy Pu‘u topped the 3rd D Barrels on a 21.171, followed by Cora Murayama (21.635), Shelcee Ludington (21.786), Christine De La Fuente (21.841) and Dena Souza (22.06).
Wendy Tannery topped the 1st D Poles on a 21.85 go, followed by Ludington (22.734), Akita (22.85) and Fernandez (23.09).
Tierra Rapozo topped the 2nd D Poles on a 23.975 go, followed by De La Fuente (24.147), Shimogawa (24.244), Kiara Ruiz (24.511) and Gayle Thompson (25.456).
Cheyanne Tannery, Wendy’s daughter, topped the 3rd D Poles on a 25.946, the youngster getting cheered on enthusiastically by the audience during her run.
She was followed by Summer Malina taking second and third with gos of 26.151 and 26.513, respectively. Shelcee Lundington (26.534) and Rhonda Kaui (26.845) rounded out the leaderboard.
Medeiros demonstrated her supremacy in Goat Tying, picking up the Fast Time on a 9.847 go en route to topping the event with a 22.282 average. She was followed by Murayama (26.631), Kristyn Vasconcelles (29.09), Akita (29.117) and Cristobal (29.219).
Naumu-Balocan topped the Steer Undecorating event, picking up the Fast Time in the event at 2.08 en route to a 4.84 run. She was followed by Kaui (6.41), Malina (8.54), Rapozo (12.49) and Kristyn Vasconcelles (17.35).
The public is invited to the next KAGRA rodeo on May 15 with the Grand Entry starting at 10 a.m. at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
There is no admission to view Kaua‘i’s finest cowgirls and their horses compete in six events: 3D Barrel Racing, Dally Team Roping, Steer Undecorating, Goat Tying, 3D Pole Bending and Breakaway Roping.
There is a lunchwagon and lots of parking.
Visit www.kauaiallgirlsrodeo.com for more information.
