LIHU`E—When Keoni Aviguetero, Kona Wong, and Jessica Morris qualified to participate in the 52nd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Ill., along with the honor of representing the state of Hawai’i came the financial obligation that faces rodeo
LIHU`E—When Keoni Aviguetero, Kona Wong, and Jessica Morris qualified to
participate in the 52nd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo in
Springfield, Ill., along with the honor of representing the state of Hawai’i
came the financial obligation that faces rodeo competitors from
Hawai’i.
Aviguetero, a recent graduate of Kaua’i High School, is no
stranger to national rodeo competition having been to the national competition
in Wyoming once.
In addition to the travel and accomodations that need to
be addressed, the cowboys and cowgirl need to rent horses to compete
with.
“They can go for as much as $1,000 a day,” Keoni’s mom
explained.
Add to that, the short amount of time the cowboys and cowgirl
have to become acquainted with their new mounts. Aviguetero pointed out that
Hawai’i cowboys always have this extra measure of competition they need to
overcome because they cannot bring their own steeds.
He also noted that
Wong’s phase of competition is going to cost more because Wong is involved in
“the more rough(neck) sports like bronco busting, bull riding, and that costs
more.”
Keoni’s mom added that Wong will be riding the rough stock ridden by
professional rodeo competitors as part of the national competition.
Now 18,
Aviguetero says he has been involved with the rodeo since he was 8 years
old.
Wong, a recent graduate of Kapa’a High School, has risen to top
overall cowboy in the state competition in the four years he’s been involved in
the high school rodeo competition.
Wong also returned from the Big Island
HHSAA competition with a saddle as part of his state award.
“I’m still
learning,” he says modestly.
Fund-raising efforts to help these aspiring
rodeo cowboys and cowgirl are underway with a golf tournament scheduled for
July 16 at the Kiahuna Golf Course, and a “Cowboy Up!” benefit rodeo to be held
at Kelekoma’s Waipa Arena on July 9 featuring Open and Dally Team
Roping.
Additional information and entry blanks area available from Marshal
Aviguetero at 332-7710.
