LIHU‘E — The American West Kaua‘i Rodeo Association celebrated its fourth full season by holding its awards presentation Sunday at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu. Awards were given to riders based on total points accumulated over the seven-event season.
LIHU‘E — The American West Kaua‘i Rodeo Association celebrated its fourth full season by holding its awards presentation Sunday at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu. Awards were given to riders based on total points accumulated over the seven-event season.
Jimmy Miranda was named 2009 Champion, holding off some strong competition to complete the season with the highest point total. Miranda was given a Champion Trophy Saddle for his accomplishment.
Coming in second place, a mere 12 points behind Miranda, was Janine Hashitate. Carol Sue Ayala, who was competing for just the third season on her barrel horse “Shy Girl,” was very happy with her third-place finish.
Coming in fourth was Nancy McMahon, who also placed in this year’s American West 4D National Finals competition in Winnemucca, Nev.
Taylor Ludington was fifth overall, followed by the winner of Kaua‘i’s High School Rodeo Queen, Kelli Carveiro in sixth place. Robin Medeiros rounded out the top seven.
Trophy buckles were presented to top season finishers in each of the four D classifications. These recipients were Taylor Ludington in the Open Barrel 1st D, Miranda for the 2nd D, Ayala in the 3rd D and Cheyanne Tannery for the 4th D class.
Keani Palama won a buckle for taking top honors in the Youth Barrel class (15 and under), while Miranda was the winner for the Senior Barrel class (50 and over).
Kash Akita showed his impressive riding atop “Spirit” as he took home the awards for 2009 Pee Wee Barrel Champion. Kasey Carveiro, Hunter Akita, Chandi Cabral, Kylee Rapozo and Nicole Medeiros completed the top six in the Pee Wee division, all earning ribbons for their performances.
Along with her second-place overall standing, Hashitate took home the 2009 Champion Gymkhana Trophy Buckle, while Palama won the same title in the Youth Gymkhana division.
With the completion of the 2009 season, attention now moves to the upcoming 2010 season, which will begin at 3 p.m. on Jan. 30 at CJM Country Stables. Admission for the public is free.
Anyone interested in participating in the 2010 series, or learning more about the AWKRA, contact Janine Hashitate at 651-5951 or visit www.aw4d.com.
