Thousands of people filled the arena to watch teams and individuals compete for coveted belt buckles during the 31st annual Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo this weekend.
The two-day competition brings cowboys and cowgirls from around the state to Hilo for one of the first rodeo events every year.
As Chesni Aku and her father, Allen Aku, rode their horses into the arena for the Kane Wahine Team Roping competition, announcer Brent Jordan reminded the crowd how the rodeo is truly a family affair.
Several teams consist of families and long-time friends that have been competing for years and know how to work together in the ribbon mugging and roping events.
“I was about 10 when I got my first horse and I fell in love with rodeo immediately. This passion has only grown in my life and it naturally carried on to my kids,” Allen Aku said. “For (Chesni,) she’s been doing this her whole life.”
Growing up around horses, it was easy for Chesni Aku, 12, to embrace riding and the rodeo lifestyle. She has competed for as long as she can remember, with her favorite event being barrel racing.
Chesni Aku took home first place in Youth Barrels this year with a total time of 35.5 seconds.
With the final time of 12.53 seconds, Allen Aku was also able to place first this year in Open Team Roping with his partner, Kai Montibon.
After many years of support, Chesni Aku decided to run for Rodeo Queen with five other contestants.
“Being born and raised around horses has provided me with so much gratitude for the paniolo that have come before me. It takes so much time and responsibility to live this lifestyle,” Chesni Aku said in her queen biography. “I love this lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Peyten Kekaualua-Tavares, who is Aku’s friend and classmate from Waiakea Intermediate, ended up winning the title.
Rodeo queens require skills in western-style horse riding, rodeo knowledge, public speaking and a good public appearance and personality.
Since every contestant fits the requirements, the Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo Queen is awarded to the person who earns the most credits by selling tickets and obtaining sponsors.
“This opportunity has built-up my confidence,” Kekaualua-Tavares said in her queen biography. “It has also taught me better communication skills, organization and the ability to know that I can do anything if I set my mind to it. “
Kekaualua-Tavares, 12, has loved horses since she was 5 years old and began entering rodeos at the age of 10.
“My favorite part about rodeo is working with horses. I love everything about them,” Kekaualau-Tavares said on Saturday. “I love barrel racing, pole bending — it’s just so much fun. I’m going to be doing rodeo for as long as I can, my whole life.”
Keakaualau-Tavares won a new saddle with her title that she held proudly at the end of the day on Saturday. As the queen, she will represent the Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo for a year.
While several families on the Big Island are frequent competitors, many people come from around the state every year to show their skills and connect with Hawaii’s rodeo community.
Young siblings Dusty and Anela Gorloff travel from Honolulu with their family to compete in as many rodeos across the state as possible.
Anela Gorloff competed in Youth Barrels and placed eighth with a total time of 54.75 seconds.
Earning a total of 138 points, Dusty Gorloff was ecstatic to win the Sheep Riding event and take home another belt buckle from the Pana‘ewa arena. He previously won the event during last year’s Hawaii Keiki Rodeo Association finals.
“Most people are scared, but it’s not scary at all, it’s fun,” Dusty Gorloff said after the first day of sheep riding. “I’ve been doing it for two years and have won first place a couple times!”
“I like the rodeo, because you can win buckles and have a lot of fun with friends. It’s my favorite,” Dusty Gorloff added.
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First place winners for each event are listed below:
Dummy Roping: Kana‘i Pieper – 2.5 seconds
Po‘o Wai U: Westin Joseph – 23.81 seconds
Youth Barrel Racing: Chesni Aku – 35.5 seconds
Double Mugging: Richard Souza III and Ryan Sanborn – 42.2 seconds
Century Team Roping: Danny Joseph and Billy Boy Benevides – 20.03 seconds
Kane Wahine Ribbon Mugging: Shannon and Billy Boy Benevides — 22.1 seconds
Calf Riding: Kana‘i Pieper – 65 points
Open Team Roping: Allen Aku and Kai Montibon – 12.53 seconds
Sheep Riding: Dusty Gorloff – 138 points
Ranch Broncs: Kaeden “Bubba” Nobriga – 70 points
Wahine Barrel Racing: Addie Flores – 33.87 seconds
Tie Down Roping: Westin Joseph — 27.93 seconds
Wahine Breakaway: Sage Lindsey — 4.22 seconds
Kane Wahine Team Roping: Dusty Miranda and Lauren Cole — 23.4 seconds
Bull Riding: Wyatt Riddle — 64 points
More information from this year’s Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo can be found on its Instagram and Facebook pages, or on its website at panaewastampederodeo.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com