POIPU — Wyatt Rita topped the Poo Wai U, a unique paniolo roping technique used to secure cattle onto trees, and teamed with Levi Rita to capture two events en route to being named the All Around Champion for the 20th annual Paniolo Heritage Koloa Plantation Days Rodeo that wrapped up Sunday in the midst of the islandwide power blackout at the CJM Country Stables.
“We finished the rodeo after Jim Miranda hooked up a generator and we could continue,” said Nancy McMahon, one of the rodeo participants. “We were lucky someone just happened to have a generator in their car.”
Wyatt Rita, partnering with Robert Rita, the rodeo’s Reserve All Around Champion, topped the Double Mugging on a 5.71-second go. Wyatt also partnered with Jerikah Valencia to take the Mixed Double Roping on a 22.049-second go to accumulate 92.5 points over the three days of rodeo action, and earn the champion buckle.
Robert Rita teamed with Randy Brun to capture the 80’s Team Roping event on a 6.72-second go toward his accumulation of 76.5 points that gave him the Reserve All Around Champion buckle.
Koloa Plantation Days Rodeo Results
• All Around Champion: Wyatt Rita – 92.5 points
• Reserve All Around Champion: Robert Rita – 76.5 points
• Bull Riding: Sheldon Souza – 73 points
• Ranch Bronc Riding: Ty Whitcher – 74 points
• No. 4 Team Roping: Makena Murayama/Justin Teves – 10.74 seconds
• 80’s Team Roping: Robert Rita/Randy Brun – 6.72 seconds
• Double Mugging: Wyatt Rita/Levi Rita – 26.94 seconds
• Jr. Barrel Racing: Kilieo Alquiza – 43.40 seconds on two go’s
• Open Team Roping: Wyatt Rita/Levi Rita – 5.71 seconds
• Wahine Barrel Racing: Casera Silva – 18.012 seconds
• Mixed Team Roping: Zailea White/Bronson Mendes – 8.125 seconds
• High Dollar Team Roping: Ross Farias/Chaz Rita – 22.09 seconds on three go’s
• Poo Wai U: Wyatt Rita – 22.64 seconds
• Wild Cow Milking: Greg and Manny Jr. Gonzales, and Albert Soares – 42.99 seconds
• Mixed Double Mugging: Wyatt Rita/Jerikah Valencia – 22.049 seconds
