The arena wasn't large, perhaps half the size of a track and field. The interior was soft dirt, and bordered by steel rails. On the north end were a row of bleachers, enough to seat about 300 people easily.
We arrived just as the rodeo got started. Infantrymen held the flags and a young, male soldier sang the national anthem a capella and right on key. No one sang along with the national anthem, but everyone in the audience seemed to know the Hawai'i state anthem and sang along with that. Granted, the national anthem is a challenge to sing. A prayer was said, and then the rodeo began.
I watched as various competitions unfolded. The first was where the cowboy had to catch the bulls horns, bring him up against a steel Y shaped pole and then jump off his horse, run to the bull with a rope and tie the bull's neck to the pole. Cowboy with the fastest time wins. Then there was keiki sheep riding. It was just too cute watch little 4-6 year old kids trying to hang on to a running sheep. They had wahine barrel racing to see how quickly the gals could run their horses around 3 barrels. They also had a contest where 2 riders would go out and try to rope a running bull. The first had to rope its neck and the second would have to rope it's back legs. One of the last competitions I saw were were one gal on a horse would rope the cattle's neck while another on the ground would wrestle it down. The one on the horse would have to jump off and tie the remaining 3 legs together.
I was really impressed at the skill of the horses and paniolos. It's hard enough riding a horse let alone roping the back legs of a running bull.
The atmosphere at the rodeo was congenial. The country music really matched the mood and it just seemed like these people were all part of a tightly-knit community of families who all knew each other and took care of each other. The other thing which struck me was how much they respected and cared about the next generation. They always made sure to include the kids in the rodeo and these children were give pretty big responsibilities, whether as competitors or volunteers! No doubt, the rodeo plays a big role in impressing children with the cowboy culture and values of their elders and their community.
I can't wait to attend the Parker Ranch rodeo.
