PUHI — Horns honked, but the girls were silent Sunday. The respectful silence was part of a flag-holding vigil held by 10 cowgirls from the Kaua’i All Girl Rodeo Association in observation of the fourth anniversary of the World Trade
PUHI — Horns honked, but the girls were silent Sunday.
The respectful silence was part of a flag-holding vigil held by 10 cowgirls from the Kaua’i All Girl Rodeo Association in observation of the fourth anniversary of the World Trade Center disaster.
Garbed in blue jeans, their red uniform KAGRA shirts, and a white hat, the contingent received honks of approval from the steady stream of cars that passed the colorful contingent fronting Chiefess Kamakahelei School.
There were also waves from behind closed windows, and an occasional thumbs-up of approval accompanied by smiles. At one point, cars stopped so occupants could get a photo of the group across the highway.
The Kilohana Estates’ burros brayed, their interest sparked by the appearance of the horses and riders.
“They’ve come this far, so I might as well help,” Joey Lorenzo said after finishing his task of handing out the American flags to the cowgirls.
“My wife is here, my daughter is here, this is all good,” he said. “It’s the least I can do.”
Nancy McMahon, KAGRA President, said that one of the association’s goals this year was to become more visible in the community, and this is one of the ways they could do it.
Saturday, the KAGRA girls donned their white shirts as they took part in the Aloha Festivals parade coordinated by Kaua’i island coordinator Wallis Punua.
In July, the group earned Top Equestrian honors in the Koloa Plantation Days parade.
McMahon said they started out their year by helping at the St. Theresa’s Carnival, and have other events planned before the year is out.
Tami Yamamoto, who earned the Best Dressed award at the Plantation Days Rodeo, was part of the 10-rider contingent with her saddle liner touting an American flag motif, and along the lineup of cowgirls were the familiar names and faces of the competitive rodeo riders.
Wendy Tannery, Cheyanne Tannery, Trish Lorenzo, Tracy Pimental, Kuuipo Lorenzo, Nancy McMahon, Shan Mundon, Tami Yamamoto, Loreen Naumu-Balocan, and Kelli Carveiro were the KAGRA members who took part in the vigil.
McMahon said their next event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18, when they host their next-to-last rodeo at the CJM Country Stables.
There is no admission to watch the cowgirls compete in sanctioned events, and a lunchwagon as well as logowear will be available.
As Joey Lorenzo watched the cattle egrets hover about the cowgirls, he said, “We won’t forget. It’s like the hurricane. Those of us who lived through it, we’ll never forget.”
