PO‘IPU — Apryl Soares was named All Around Cowgirl and Kelli Carveiro earned All Around Reserve honors, but the stars were the many newcomers who took part at the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association season-opener. Playing against a backdrop of
PO‘IPU — Apryl Soares was named All Around Cowgirl and Kelli Carveiro earned All Around Reserve honors, but the stars were the many newcomers who took part at the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association season-opener.
Playing against a backdrop of numerous whale sightings at the CJM Country Stables, a good-sized audience took advantage of sunny skies and the free admission to watch some of Kaua‘i’s top cowgirls compete for points in six events.
Linda Antipala, KAGRA secretary and member for many years, broke away from her souvenir table to jump on a horse for the 3D Barrels event, sending cheers up and down the bleachers as she lopped through the course.
With only one go, there was no room for error as a dropped barrel meant a no-time. Antipala finished the course in 28.75 — not the fastest time, but enough to get the crowd going.
“I thought I would do it while I was still able to,” Antipala said following her ride. “After all these years, I never thought I would be riding, but I needed to do it while I still can.”
Another newcomer, Summer Malina, topped the Steer Undecorating event on a 4.79/2 average.
Carveiro, who showed strong in the Keiki and High School rodeo the week before, was joined by fellow KHSR competitor Kristyn Vasconcelles to bring the young blood into the arena.
Full results of the Keiki and High School as well as the KAGRA rodeos can be found in the scoreboard section on page B2.
