Branco, Miranda earn All-Around honors at Makawao Stampede
2025 4th of July Makawao Stampede All-Around Cowgirl Elizabeth Miranda and All-Around Cowboy Bronson Branco pose with the saddles they won Sunday.
By MATTHEW THAYER
Big Island cowboy Bronson Branco and 2025 Seabury Hall graduate Elizabeth Miranda won the first two events in Sunday’s finale of the 2025 4th of July Makawao Stampede and never looked back on their way to winning the annual three-day rodeo's All-Around Cowboy and All-Around Cowgirl honors at Oskie Rice Arena in Olinda.
Bronson Branco guides a steer to the aumana on his way to posting an Oskie Rice Arena record time of 16.43 seconds in the Po'o Wai U event Sunday on the final day of the 2025 4th of July Makawao Stampede. The Big Island cowboy's win in the first event of the day helped him win the annual rodeo's All-Around Cowboy buckle and saddle.
For Branco, a working paniolo for Parker Ranch, it was his second All-Around title in a row at the Stampede after winning last year. He also won the honor in 2014. His 16.43-second go in the day's opening event, Po'o Wai U, set an arena record and had the public address announcers wondering aloud if it was an all-time record for the event unique to Hawaii. Each announcer said they did not remember witnessing a time that even came close. Branco also won Tie Down Roping with a time of 12.91, and teamed with Levi Rita to win Double Mugging with a time of 23.78.
Elizabeth Miranda rounds a barrel on her way to winning the Match Barrel Racing finale Sunday. The recent Seabury Hall graduate and Hawaii state high school All-Around champion, ran away with the Stampede's All-Around Cowgirl buckle.
Miranda's win continues a hot run this summer, one that she hopes has some magic left for next week's national high school finals in Wyoming. In June, Miranda won All-Around Cowgirl honors at the Hawaii High School Rodeo State Finals on Kauai where she won three events and placed in four others. She also took home a scholarship as the Hawaii State Student Officer of the Year.
2025 4th of July Makawao Stampede All-Around Cowgirl Elizabeth Miranda holds her champion buckle Sunday.
Next week, Miranda is set to compete in the NHSRA High School Finals in Rock Springs. After that, she is scheduled to start her college rodeo career at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo Poly. She joins her brother, Daniel Miranda, on the rodeo team.
Elizabeth Miranda said she would encourage others to follow in her rodeo hoofprints.
Freddie Rice hangs on tight in Sunday's Sheep Riding event.
Little paniolo Freddie Rice gets a lift from Dusty Gorloff after competing in Sheep Riding Sunday.
"You learn so many life lessons and make so many friends," she said. "It's nothing like I've ever learned before. Between the animal relationships and the human relationships that you make here, it's unbelievable."
In interviews after her win Sunday, Miranda made sure to give credit to her two horses, Sparky and Hollywood. She admitted there were family discussions about saving Sparky for Nationals, but she ended up riding the horse to victory.
"They deserve all the credit," she said. "I live and die by them."
Branco waves to the crowd while circling the arena after his win in Po'o Wai U.
Branco was also very humble at the end of the day.
"I'm just blessed and very fortunate, very lucky," Branco said of winning back-to-back All-Around saddles and buckles. "Things fell my way today."
Tyler Ferguson gives it his all Sunday on his way to score of 74 in Bareback Bronc Riding.
2025 4th of July Makawao Stampede Champions
Po'o Wai U - Bronson Branco
Wahine Barrel Racing - Elizabeth Miranda
Century Team Roping - Wes Goodrich and Kyle Lockett
Wahine Breakaway - Rachel Andrews-Cockett
Bareback Bronc Riding - Lucas Samaniego
Saddle Bronc Riding - Chance Frost
Junior Barrel Racing - Luana Fitch
Steer Wrestling - Ryan Wells
Match Barrel Racing - Elizabeth Miranda
Mixed Dally Team Roping - Elizabeth Miranda and Ethan Awa
Tie Down Roping - Bronson Branco
Dally Team Roping - Kaulike Rice and Cade Silva
Double Mugging - Levi Rita and Bronson Branco
Bull Riding - Ty Kauai
All-Around Cowboy - Bronson Branco
All-Around Cowgirl - Elizabeth Miranda
Daniel Miranda takes down a steer in 7.98 seconds in the Steer Wrestling event Sunday.
Kahiau Onaka and Ethan Awa post a 7.81 in Dally Team Roping Sunday that had five seconds added on for only roping one rear leg.
Steffan Ramos wears a smile as his bull breaks from the bucking chute Sunday. He stayed on for a score of 72 to take second place in the event.
Steffan Ramos goes the distance with a full ride Sunday.
Ka'apuni Aarona sails in front of a steer to take a no time in Steer Wrestling Sunday.
Wes Goodrich nails the headshot as Kyle Lockett gets ready to do the heeling on their way to winning the Century Team Roping event with a time of 9.16 seconds Sunday.
Coco Acker releases her rope while posting a time of 2.88 seconds in Wahine Breakaway Sunday. She took second to Rachel Andrews-Cockett, who had the fastest time of the weekend, a 2.32 in qualifying.
Bull Riding champion Ty Kauai takes flight Sunday. He was bucked off to take a no time, but won the event with the 74-point score he notched during Friday night's Bull Bash.
Jayci-Jay Rice rides to a 19.15-second time in Wahine Barrel Racing Sunday.
Chance Frost wins the Saddle Bronc Riding event with a score of 77.
Frank Bonacorsi rides to a score of 63 in Saddle Bronc Riding Sunday.
Lucas Samaniego wins the Bareback Bronc Riding event with a score of 85.
Mason Polhemus cannot bridge the gap between his horse and steer while taking a no time Sunday in Steer Wrestling.
Kanoa Awai-Dickson presents the Hawaii state flag during Sunday's Grand Entry.
Miya Lu rounds a barrel in Wahine Barrel Racing Sunday. She had a time of 19.68 seconds.
Coco Campbell rounds a barrel on her way to a 19.43-second run in Wahine Barrel Racing Sunday.
Moorea Feliciano rounds a barrel on her way to a 19.40-second run in Wahine Barrel Racing Sunday.
Kymani Kekiwi posts a time of 21.92 in Junior Barrel Racing Sunday.
The Big Island father and son team of Chris Awa and Ethan Awa post a fast time in Dally Team Roping Sunday.
Texas visitor Ava Bivens (right) races Kihei dentist Helena Mello during a pause in the rodeo action Sunday at Oskie Rice Arena in Olinda.