An estimated 9,000 Big Island residents and visitors turned out over Presidents’ Day weekend for the 25th Annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Panaewa Stampede Rodeo from Feb. 18 to 20, 2017, at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center in Hilo.
Over the three-day weekend, 185 cowboys and cowgirls competed in the rodeo.
Each year the rodeo includes a rodeo clown, a professional announcer, a wide variety of food booths, craft booths and leather and saddle making exhibits, as well as, cultural and historical displays.
This year’s event saluted National Rodeo Finalist Cody Cabral, a Hilo native. Cabral was just two years old when the very first Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo was held and carried the Hawai‘i flag at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) where he competed in steer wrestling.
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A barrelman for the NFR in his 9th year as the Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo Clown, JJ Harrison is a highlight of the rodeo activities. From serious athlete, comedian and award-winning rodeo clown, Harrison kept the crowd engaged, laughing and coming back for more.
This year’s novelty events included Chute Dogging, Knockerball Bulls and Ranch Mugging (no horses).
“We are one of the only rodeo I know of that always has an event or two that allows for the spectators to come and sign up and ‘play with real live bulls’ in the arena,” explained Nancy Cabral, rodeo secretary and mother of Cody Cabral.
“We always feature our ‘Hawai‘i’s Own’ events of Po‘o Wai U and Double Mugging,” explained Nancy. “They were developed in Hawai‘i as roping techniques to help the paniolo cowboy rope and control the wild steers that they had to catch in the thick jungles of Hawai‘i. These unique events are done nowhere else in the world. “
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Hawai‘i’s paniolo heritage is a cowboy culture over two centuries old. Paniolo traditions continue and are seen at the rodeo when cowboys and cowgirls compete in unique Hawai‘i events like Wahine Calf Mugging, Po‘o Wai U and Double Mugging.
During Po‘o Wai U, wild cattle are lassoed and tied to an aumana, a Y shaped tree. In the rodeo competitors must quickly rope the horns of a steer and tie it to the aumana with a non-choke knot.
In Double Mugging, two cowboys/cowgirls work together to rope a steer, take it down and tie its legs. The team with the fastest time wins.
Keiki competed in Mutton Busting (sheep riding), roping, barrel racing and junior bull riding.
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In Mutton Busting, keiki are placed atop a sheep inside a chute. Once the child is on, the chute opens, releasing the sheep. As the sheep runs, the child holds on, attempting to ride to the buzzer.
Colt Mandaloniz was a crowd favorite, riding after the buzzer sounded. He scored a 63.
The Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo is held each year over President’s Day weekend.
The 26th Annual Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo will be held Feb. 17 to 19, 2018.
AWARDS
Caithlynn Rae Cabral-AhSing was crowned the 2017 Rodeo Queen.
All-Round Cowboy: Kalai Nobriga
Reserve All-Round Cowboy: Bronson Branco
All-Round Cowgirl: Macey Loando
Reserve All-Round Cowgirl: Nahe Nobriga.
RESULTS
Youth Team Roping 1st Go Short Average
Eli Higa & Levi Higa: 10.93 8.5 19.45
Westin Joseph & Trisyn Kalawaia: 11.5 13.72 25.22
Trystin Hooper & Daniel Miranda: 12.47 12.78 25.25
Billy Benevides & Trisyn Kalawaia: 6.15 8.22 14.37
Lyons DeGuair & Chad Serion: 7.47 7.00 14.47
Century Team Roping 1st Go Final Time Average
Clifford Lorenzo & Ken Miranda: 15.63 8.720 24.35
John Fitzgerald & Clayton Low: 16.31 17.090 33.40
Kane-wahine ribbon mugging during the 2017 Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 20. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center packed with 185 competitors and thousands of spectators on day three of the 25th Annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Over Presidents’ Day weekend, approximately 9,000 Big Island residents and visitors turned out for the 25th Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
A crowd favorite was Sheep Rider Colt Mandaloniz who scored a 63 and threw up double shakas after a long ride and rough stock rescue at the 25th Annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Bareback bronc rider during the 2017 Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 20, 2017, at the Pana‘ewa Rodeo Grounds. Photo: Crystal Richard.
NFR rodeo clown JJ Harrison entertaining the crowd and tossing the football with onlookers during the 25th Annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Open team roping during the 2017 Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo in Hilo, Feb 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Chute dogging during the 25th Annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Sheep rider Colt Mandaloniz holding on tight and listening for the buzzer during the 2017 Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb 20. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Bareback bronc rider during the 25th Annual Hawaii Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Youth barrel racer Anela Stewart at the 25th Annual Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo in Hilo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Bareback bronc rider during the 2017 Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb 20 at the Pana‘ewa Rodeo Grounds. Photo: Crystal Richard.
Youth barrel racer at the 25th Annual Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo in Hilo on Feb. 20, 2017. Photo: Crystal Richard.
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