Keiki Rodeo Team

Hawaii Horsemanship Academy is sponsoring a team of SEVEN children brand new to rodeo for the 2026-2027 season! Follow our journey and help us continue this groundbreaking movement.

About rodeo

Youth Rodeo on O'ahu is brought to us by the HHSRA (Hawaii High School Rodeo Association) and Kualoa Ranch. Keiki from kindergarten through 12th grade can saddle up and compete in barrel racing, pole bending, roping, and more! The season runs October through April with a rodeo every month, so there's always another chance to ride, rope, and cheer. The top riders can even head to state and national finals! It's big fun for our keiki, and a way to keep Hawaiʻi's paniolo tradition alive and kicking.

Our vision

Paniolo life is a big part of Hawaiʻi's history, yet most keiki never get the chance to experience it. Rodeo can feel out of reach, with horses to ride, gear to buy, and fees to pay. We want to open the arena gate for local youth, so more of them can learn new skills, build confidence, and connect with the paniolo traditions that helped shape these islands. Rodeo carries our mission to create opportunities for youth into horsemanship. Be part of their ride. Help us get keiki riders to the arena!

See Ways to Help

The team

The HHA rodeo team consists of 4 Junior division and 3 Keiki division contestants, who began training for rodeo events in September.

Each week, anywhere from 1 to 3 team practices are scheduled to give the kids as much saddle time and experience as possible. The entirety of the team will be competing in poles and barrels, while a select few will also join goat tying and calf riding!

Our students learn horsemanship the way we teach everything here: safety first, patience with learning, and showing up even when it is hard. Rodeo is a next step in that work.

[September, 2026]

Rodeo Training Begins

[October 17, 2026]

First HHSRA Rodeo

[October - November, 2026]

Practice Resumes

[Youth team gets first glimpse at what rodeo events look like.]

[Thrown into the fire - youth team competes in first rodeo!]

[Toes dipped in - targeted practices for poles & barrels begin.]

[November 14, 2026]

Second HHSRA Rodeo

[Goal covers rodeo entry fees, equipment, and gear for 7 riders.]

[Youth team will put their practiced skills to the test!]

Team progress

Fundraising Goal

Order pastele stew

Order homemade pastele stew for $20 per container! Each container is one pound of pastele stew, frozen.

Place an order

Shop or ride

Visit our booth at the Keiki Construction Zone event in Whitmore Nov. 8th for pony rides, crafts, and baked goods!

Get event details

Sponsor a rider

Cover one student’s fees. Sponsors are thanked on this page, through newsletters, and at the rodeo. $1,630 value.

Sponsor a rider

Donate

Give any amount, one time, or as many times as you want! Let us know if you need a receipt.

Donate now

Ways to help

Every dollar goes towards rodeo costs for our students. Pick what works for you!

Local business? We would be glad to feature your sponsorship at events and on this page. Email us.

Youth Rodeo Calendar

All HHSRA O'ahu district rodeo events are held at Kualoa Ranch. Entry is free for spectators. No ticket required.

Call to action

We've got the manpower. We've got the space. We've got more keiki who want it. But we don't have enough horses.

If you would like to help grow our movement, consider helping us obtain more horses to get more kids involved. Mahalo.

100+

7+

How many can we get to rodeo?

Students in our academy

How can you help?

Our crew

The HHA rodeo team would not be possible without the invaluable support of our crew of instructors and volunteers. They show up consistently, mentor the youth team, care for the horses, donate snacks & drinks, and even trailer horses for rodeo days. TO OUR CREW - thank you.