Nothing was going to knock Dusty Gorloff out of the competition, not even his sheep.
Gorloff, 4, participated and won in the sheep riding competition after holding onto the animal for dear life until his uncle had to peel him off.
“I don’t even know how I did it, I just held on with all my strength,” Gorloff said. “Next year, I’m going to try calf riding!”
This was one of many competitions keiki from age 4 to 18 competed in during the Hawaii Keiki Rodeo Association finals on Saturday.
“HKRA started with a handful of friends talking about how our island lacked keiki rodeo events and an avenue for children to begin their rodeo experience and gain the confidence to compete when they’re older,” said HKRA president Jeff Cabral. “We never imagined that our rodeos would draw this many contestants, plus the overwhelming support that our community has shown to us.”
Families and friends gathered at the Al Cabral Rodeo Arena in Hilo to enjoy the sunny day while about 130 keiki raced and competed on their beloved horses.
The children competed in dummy roping, goat tying, pole bending, barrels, breakaway roping, tie down roping, sheep riding, team roping, ribbon mugging and calf riding.
Longtime rider Sienna Miyahira, 14, joined the Hokus Legacy Riders and started doing rodeos just two years ago.
“It’s very fun, exciting, and you make a ton of memories and friends,” Miyahira said. “When you learn rodeo, you end up learning so much more about your horse and how to ride in general.”
Miyahira recently moved to the Big Island from Oahu and has enjoyed diving into the rodeo scene so much that she wants to compete through college.
“I want to do this through high school and ultimately join a rodeo team in college,” Miyahira said. “I think for people that want to start, it’s important to not be nervous and it never hurts to try.”
Many parents have noticed changes in their keiki after they start competing in rodeo competitions, including Miyahira’s mother, Napela Miyahira.
“She’s learned so much and has more control over her horse and has just flourished,” Napela Miyahira said. “There are so many lessons she’s taken home with her, and she’s excelling as an individual, so we’re very happy about being part of Hoku Legacy Riders.”
Chesni Aku, 11, has grown more confident with each rodeo she’s competed in.
“I used to be more worried about everything, but now I just have a good time when I’m out there,” Aku said.
Tinsley Cockroft, 4, competed in her first rodeo finals and was happy to just spend time on her horse.
“I’ve been a part of the rodeo scene almost my whole life, and since I had kids, I wanted to make sure they were involved,” said Tinsley’s mother, Summer Cockroft. “She absolutely loves it. Her favorite part is getting to ride her horse and making new friends.”
In her second year with HKR, Zerin Menino served as the emcee of the finals and narrated all the events for the crowd.
“I love the finals because it’s the culmination of late nights, hard work, tireless hours that goes into rodeo,” Menino said. “To come here and share in camaraderie and friendly competition is what it’s all about.”
Menino enjoys watching the seniors finish up their high school rodeo careers and celebrating all they’ve accomplished over the years.
“All these kids put so much time and effort into rodeo, and it’s amazing to see how they finish,” Menino said. “This is a very different sport, and it takes a lot of passion to do. It’s not just you — you also have an equine partner. You have to develop skills while taking care of them since they are taking care of you.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.