As two of Hawai'i's brightest youth rodeo stars, Cambra and Schuman have found success in riding quarterhorses at 35 mph and roping goats and cows.

"To me, it's just like a rush," Schuman said. "You chase a cow around and you try to beat the cow to what he does. Every time it's a different situation that you have to handle."

Cambra, 18, a recent Radford High School graduate, and Schuman, 16, a senior-to-be at Maryknoll High School, are the defending state all-around champions entering the 16th annual Hawai'i High School Rodeo Association's State Finals Rodeo in Kamuela today through Sunday. Schuman also won the all-around title as a freshman.

"The competition is good," Cambra said of the state championship that has nearly 50 competitors. "You've got to work for it to win the event. You have to keep your mind on your event and not worry about what's happening around you."

The top four finishers in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Farmington, N.M., July 20-27. The competition is the largest rodeo in the world and has more than 1,500 athletes from 38 states, four Canadian providences and Australia.

ALEX SCHUMAN

RYANNA CAMBRA

AT A GLANCE • What: 16th annual Hawai'i High School Rodeo Association's State Finals Rodeo • When: Today through Sunday (5 p.m. today; 9 a.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. Sunday) • Where: Parker Ranch arena at Paniolo Park, Waimea, Hawai'i • Admission: Free

"There's only a handful of facilities on O'ahu to train at," said Michael "Skip" Schuman, who is Alex's father and the state promotions director for the Hawai'i High School Rodeo Association. "On the outer islands, it's more of a rural area, it makes it a lot easier to train in and participate in the sport."

Both Cambra and Schuman learned from their families and honed their skills at keiki competitions. Cambra started riding horses when she was 2, while Schuman began competitive riding at 10.

"Rodeo is a family event, it's about competing with friends and family," Cambra said. "I'm not going out there to be the best, I'm just going out there to do the best that I can. I'm not trying to go out there and beat everybody."

Cambra and Schuman met at the keiki rodeos and have since formed one of the best team ropers in the state.

"My favorite event is team roping," Cambra said. "It's challenging and it's fun."

In team roping, one rider on horseback is called a "header" and the other rider is called a "heeler." The header will rope the head of the steer and the heeler will rope its rear feet. The fastest time wins.

Schuman said his favorite event is calf roping. In that event, a competitor on horseback ropes a calf, gets off the horse, knocks the calf down, ties three of the its legs and calls for time.

"You have to be the most skilled at that event," Schuman said. "There's so many variables that go around. With other events, you just have to do one thing. That event, you have to do five different things that you have to master to put the run together."

Cambra practices at DK Ranch in Waimanalo about three to four times a week, for about 2› to 3 hours. Schuman practices at Gunstock Ranch at Kahuku, at least four times a week, for at least two hours each day.

Cambra called Schuman a determined competitor who is willing to put in the time and effort to make himself better.

"He works hard for it," Cambra said. "He's focused. He just goes up there and knows what he has to do and he just gets it done."

Schuman also praises Cambra for her work ethic.

"We're probably the only ones that practice hard to win that championship," Schuman said. "And she's got a good horse."