It was one of North Carolina’s own to win the second progressive round of WCRA Rodeo Carolina on Oct. 7, 2023— Sage Dunlap of Bear Creek, North Carolina roped in 2.11 seconds to win $1,500.
The effort came following a missed calf during Round 1, meaning Dunlap had only one option to advance to the Triple Crown of Rodeo Round on Sunday, Oct. 8: She had to win Round 2.
BRJ: Tell us about your mindset heading into round two, especially after last night.
Sage Dunlap: Yesterday was not good for me. My initial game plan was to come in and get two knocked down and advance on the aggregate, but that didn’t happen, so I had to go fast tonight. I like going fast. I was telling myself to score good—when he takes a step go with him—go catch him and do it like a practice run at home.
BRJ: Tell us about your mare.
SD: She’s a 19-year-old mare named Joni. I’ve had her for 7 years. We’ve come a long ways. She’s my first really nice breakaway horse, and I high school rodeoed on her and now amateur rodeo. She’s a very hyper horse. She’s not a dead cowhorse. She’s on the muscle and ready to rope.
BRJ: You’re an IPRA cowgirl, so how does this win factor in?
SD: I’ve been IPRA rodeoing this year trying to make the finals for the second time. I should be No. 11 in the standings now with the money I earned here. I earned $1,300 Thursday night and I won $1,500 tonight.
BRJ: What does a ‘normal’ day look like for you?
SD: I rodeo a lot, my dad runs cattle so I help him a lot and I also do lessons and outside horses.
BRJ: What do you think about the WCRA hosting an event like this on the East Coast?
SD: To compete at an event like this on the East Coast is really awesome. I’ve always wanted to go to a WCRA, but they’ve been out in Texas. So I never had the opportunity. This is my first year nominating and it’s great great for us.
WCRA Rodeo Carolina Progressive Round 2 Results:
| 1 | Sage Dunlap | 2.11 |
| 2 | MaryBeth Beam | 2.12 |
| 3 | Kyla Matthews | 2.13 |
| 4 | Harley Pryor | 2.65 |
| 5 | Maelee Wade | 2.72 |
| 6 | Grace Toberer | 3.15 |
| 7 | Josey James | 3.3 |
| 8 | Rylie Edens | 3.75 |
| 9 | Cheyenne Bartling | 5.03 |
| 10 | Kelsie Domer | – |
| 11 | Oralee Madison | – |
| 12 | Rylie Romero | – |
Find full results for WCRA Rodeo Carolina here.
WCRA Rodeo Carolina aggregate results and Triple Crown of Rodeo qualifiers
| 1 | MaryBeth Beam | 4.47 | $3,000 |
| 2 | Kyla Matthews | 5.09 | $2,000 |
| 3 | Harley Pryor | 5.15 | $1,500 |
| 4 | Maelee Wade | 5.48 | $1,000 |
| 5 | Cheyenne Bartling | 7.83 | |
| 6 | Rylie Edens | 7.86 | |
| Round 1 Champ | Kelsie Domer | 2.3 | |
| Round 2 Champ | Sage Dunlap | 2.11 |
