PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita finished as the All Around Cowgirl and her mom, Karen, was perfect in the Dally Team Roping event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu on Jan. 23. The rodeo was the start of the Kaua‘i
PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita finished as the All Around Cowgirl and her mom, Karen, was perfect in the Dally Team Roping event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu on Jan. 23.
The rodeo was the start of the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association calendar and featured a field of almost 40 riders in the 3D Barrel Racing event, including first-time rodeo rider Karen Akita.
Sandra, en route to her All Around Cowgirl honor, topped the First D of the Barrels on a 17.977 go, edging out Britni Ludington-Braun (18.048), Alexis Vasconcelles (18.070), Taylor Ludington (18.207), the reigning Miss Hawai‘i High School Rodeo Queen, and Robin Medeiros (18.35).
Sandra, finishing the 2010 year as KAGRA All Around Cowgirl, also topped the First D of the 3D Pole Bending event on a 22.518 go, nudging out Ludington-Braun (22.925) and Coralyn Murayama (23.024) who ended the rodeo as the Reserve All Around Cowgirl.
Sandra also topped the Breakaway Roping on a 12.44 go for her third first-place event, and finished second in the Steer Undecorating with a 6.26 go.
Teaming with her mother Karen in the Dally Team Roping, the mother-daughter pair finished third on a 34.06 average.
Murayama finished second in the Breakaway event on a 14.56 below Sandra, followed by Tara Fernandez (15.52), Alexis Vasconcelles (20.33), and Robin Medeiros (23.57).
She also teamed with Ludington-Braun in the Dally Team event for a fifth finish with a 13.11 on one go.
Karen, the first-time rider, was perfect in the Dally Team, getting heeler honors in second place with Alexis Vasconcelles as the header on a 33.22 average. Teaming with Rhonda Kaui, a top heeler who sustained a tumble on her opening go, the Kaui-Karen duo finished fourth with a 36.10 average.
Taylor Ludington teamed with Ludington-Braun on a fast 30.04 average to take the Dally Team event.
Karen also pocketed a fourth finish in the Third D of the 3D Barrels with a 22.257 go.
Cristina de la Fuente topped the Third D of Poles with a 21.176 go, followed by Nancy McMahon (21.519). Tammy Pu‘u and Dena Souza finished tied for third at 21.983 go followed by Karen.
Shan Mundon topped the Second D of Barrels on a 19.871 go, followed by Kim Medeiros (19.930), Debbie Bail (20.048), this year’s KAGRA president, Laureen Naumu-Balocan (20.208), and Summer Malina (20.266).
Cristina de la Fuente topped the Third D of the 3D Poles on a 26.581 go, followed by Tammy Pu‘u (27.307), Rosanne Shimogawa (27.762), Bail (29.573), and Joyce Miranda (30.178).
Second D honors in Poles went to Kaui taking a 25.444 go, followed by Naumu Balocan 25.602), Cheyanne Tannery (25.893), and Malina (25.456).
Alexis Vasconcelles topped the Goat Tying event on a 24.94 go, followed by Murayama (25.92), Hallie Cristobal (26.98), rebounding from scrapes during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation soccer matches, Kim Medeiros (27.18), and Wendy Tannery (27.39).
Kim Medeiros topped the Steer Undecorating on a 12.44 go, almost two seconds ahead of Sanda (6.26). Third place went to Malina (6.55) followed by Kaui (7.38), and Tierra Rapozo (10.84).
Following Sandra and Murayama in the Breakaway Roping event, Tara Fernandez picked up third place on a 15.52 go followed by Alexis Vasconcelles (20.33), and Robin Medeiros (23.57).
The next KAGRA rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 20 at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu. The public is invited to view the cowgirl competition through six events at no charge. A lunchwagon will be available to satisfy the midday cravings as well as offer a variety of cold soft drinks.
