The biggest team roping competition in the state rode its way to the best rodeo arena in the state, Po‘ipu’s CJM Country Stables. “It was worst than a marathon with three days of some of the most intense roping you’ll
The biggest team roping competition in the state rode its way to the best rodeo arena in the state, Po‘ipu’s CJM Country Stables.
“It was worst than a marathon with three days of some of the most intense roping you’ll ever see,” CJM Country Stables spokesperson Joyce “Juice” Miranda said.
Roper from as far as Australia converged on the southside of Kaua‘i for the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) qualifier.
Over 600 teams fought for the $49,360 purse and the fans, well, they were also treated to a spread as diverse as the field.
“Visitors were really surprised with all of the different kinds of foods. I mean we had pasteles, lau lau, poke, smoked meat, and more,” Miranda mentioned.
The top money winners walked away with thousands of dollars. Top money leaders included Fern White ($4,063), O‘ahu’s Melvin Joseph ($3,515), Hawai‘i’s Shawn Aguiar ($2,672), Randy Brun ($2,002), Marcus Laymon ($1,471), and Ross Farias ($1,067).
In addition to the greens, the teams were also given shiny buckles and authentic saddle pads.
Top teams were also granted a spot in the USTRC shootout for regional and national competition, where the bucks get bigger.
Winners included Ken Miranda/Zanga Schutte (Open average), Ken Miranda/Zanga Schutte (Incentives), Randy Brun/Bradda Kelekoma (#15 average), Ross Farias/Melvin Joseph (#13 average), Arthur Lindsey/Melvin Joseph (#13 incentives), Pat Brun/Riley Pedro (#12 average), Audwin Aiwohi/Kiwini Lindsey (#12 incentives), Arthur Lindsey/Melvin Joseph (#12 GP average), Lelan Nishek/Fern White (#12 GP incentives), Alvin Kawamoto/Fern White (#11 average), Alvin Kawamoto/Fern White (#11 incentives), Gabe Kuhlmann/Melvin Miranda (#10 average), Laurie Diego/Melvin Miranda (#10 incentives), Ty Prettyman/Travis Gomes (#9 average), Kahea White/Aletha Lindsey (#9 incentives), and Randy Aiwohi/Chaz Rita (#8 average).
Complete results of the contest can be found in the scoreboard section on page B2.
In addition to the USTRC event, Kaua‘i top roper Ross Farias held a high money jackpot event at CJM Country Stables on Saturday.
Top winners included Ross Farias/Kiwini Lindsey (1st in 1st go), Pat Brun/Marcus Laymon (2nd in 1st go), Brun/Laymon (1st in short go), Brun/Laymon: $5,000 (1st in average), Farias/Lindsey: $3,700 (2nd in average), Arthur Lindsey/Melvin Joseph: $2,500 (3rd in average), Kainoah Wong/Marcus Laymon: $1,300 (4th in average).
The big winner was high schooler Marcus Laymon, who won the first and fourth in average spots, which totaled $6,300.
