Rhonda Kaui teamed with two heelers to headline her announcement of All-Around Cowgirl at the recent Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu. Sandra Akita, teaming with KAGRA Secretary Kim Medeiros in the Dally
Rhonda Kaui teamed with two heelers to headline her announcement of All-Around Cowgirl at the recent Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
Sandra Akita, teaming with KAGRA Secretary Kim Medeiros in the Dally Team Roping, finished in fifth place en route to nailing the Reserve All Around Cowgirl honor.
Kaui, a longtime header, and recovering from a spill on her opening rope during the last KAGRA rodeo, teamed with Joyce Miranda to nail top honors in the Dally Team event with a 27.58 average over two gos.
She also teamed with Karen Akita, Sandra’s mother, to nail fourth place with a 10.16/1.
But her list of honors didn’t stop there as Kaui finished second in the Steer Undecorating with a 5.4 go, edged out of the top of that event by Kristyn Vasconcelles who posted a 5.23 go.
She also nailed a second place in the Breakaway Roping event at an 11.04 go, topping Tara Fernandez’s 11.72 go.
A fifth place in the Goat Tying event at 27.937 rounded out her accomplishments.
Sandra Akita started out with a second-place finish in the 1st D of the 3D Barrel Racing event, stopping the clock on a 17.687 go below Alexis Vasconcelles (17.151), and less than 0.1 seconds ahead of Britni Ludington-Braun (17.71), the Reserve All-Around Cowgirl from the last rodeo.
Sandra also posted a third finish in the 2nd D of Barrels on a 19.012 go, below the tight 1-2 finish of Kim Medeiros (18.96) and Cheyanne Tannery (18.967) who were separated by 0.007 second.
In the 1st D of the 3D Pole Bending event, Sandra finished with third place on a 23.023 go, edging out Cheyanne Tannery (23.13) and Taylor Ludington (23.534).
Sandra stopped the clocks at 8.84 for fifth place in the Steer Undecorating event, and aced another fifth with a 13.71/1 go in the Dally Team Roping event, partnering with Kim Medeiros for that event.
Following the Kaui/Miranda team in the Dally Team event, Tara Fernandez and Tierra Rapoza earned second place with a 41.9 average followed by Taylor Ludington and Alexis Vasconcelles getting third with the Fast Time in that event at 9.44, but copping a ‘No Time’ in the second go.
The Kaui/Karen Akita team and the Sandra Akita/Kim Medeiros team rounded out the leaders for that event.
Alexis Vasconcelles topped the 1st D of the 3D Barrels on a 17.151 go, followed by Sandra Akita (17.687), Britni Ludington-Braun (17.71), Taylor Ludington (17.842), and Janine Hashitate (17.87).
Second D leaders in Barrels included Kim Medeiros (18.96), Cheyanne Tannery (18.967), Sandra Akita (19.012), Shan Mundon (19.18) and Cora Murayama (19.19).
Third D leaders in Barrels included Kim Medeiros (20.343), Nancy McMahon (20.382), Summer Malina (20.393), Courtney Medeiros (20.536) and McMahon (20.844).
Leaders in the 1st D of the 3D Pole Bending event included Wendy Tannery (21.569), Tara Fernandez (22.97), Sandra Akita (23.023), Cheyanne Tannery (23.13), Taylor Ludington (23.534).
Second D leaders in Poles included Cora Murayama (23.857), Tierra Rapozo (24.212), Rosanne Shimogawa (24.363), Shan Mundon (24.389) and Kiara Ruiz (24.965).
McMahon filled in the top two spots of the 3rd D in Poles with gos of 25.96 and 26.019, respectively. She was followed by Tammy Pu‘u (26.921), Eliza Vierra (25.157) and Shelcee Ludington (27.413).
Kim Medeiros topped the Goat Tying, nailing Fast Time honors en route to her 22.354. She was followed by Kristyn Vasconcelles (22.865), Britni Ludington-Braun (26.781), Alexis Vasconcelles (26.909) and Kaui (27.937).
Kristyn Vasconcelles topped the Steer Undecorating event on a 5.23 go, followed by Kaui (5.4), Kim Medeiros, nailing Fast Time in this event at 1.79 en route to her 5.68 for third place. Cora Murayama (7.12) and Sandra Akita (8.84) rounded out the leaders.
Britni Ludington-Braun topped the Breakaway Roping event on a 10-second average, followed by Kaui (11.04), Tara Fernandez (11.72), Summer Malina (12.04) and Karen Akita (12.07). Kristyn Vasconcelles touted the Fast Time in this event at 2.96.
The public is invited to view the next KAGRA rodeo scheduled for April 17 starting with the Grand Entry at 10 a.m. at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
There is no admission to view the competition among Kaua‘i’s cowgirls and there is a lunch wagon to satisfy appetites, as well as quench thirsts with an assortment of soft beverages.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
