Stephanie Fryar was looking to make a businesswoman’s run in the second progressive round of WCRA Rodeo Carolina on Oct. 7, 2023, but “Fast Frank,” had other ideas, clocking the fastest time of the event with a 16.674-second run.
“I wanted to stay clean and make a solid run,” Fryar said, laughing. “I thought [that time] was in him, but I wasn’t shooting for it tonight.
Registered Some Streakin French, the gelding by Frenchmans Fabulous has had success at WCRA events, including a final-four finish at the Women’s World Championship in 2023. Fryar has an NFR qualification and countless other accolades under her belt, so she knew exactly how to handle the unique setup at Rodeo Carolina.
“WCRA really tries hard to do the best by rodeo. They drag the most for us barrel racers, which is always such a huge deal. They try to make sure the ground is good and they’re big advocates for being the best it can be. They give everyone a shot.”
– Stephanie Fryar
“For the first two runs I came at the first barrel more to the right. I didn’t really feel like I was getting that great of a shot to the first barrel. And so tonight I came at it from the left side and I felt like I got a better shot to the first. I got a good, straight line and got him to make a quick turn.”
For the effort, Fryar won $1,500 and is moving on to the Triple Crown of Rodeo round Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
This is the first time the WCRA has held Rodeo Carolina, and it’s been one of the few rodeos the Tryon International Equestrian Center has hosted.
“This place is boujee,” Fryar said. “It’s an upscale, classy facility. The stalls are nice, the arena is nice and there are amazing restaurants. It’s a one stop shop, and a good one. The ground is different, but it’s good dirt. The qualifying rounds they had it a bit deeper, but I think they have it wetter and more packed, but it’s still very safe.”
With approximately 12 hours until the Triple Crown of Rodeo round begins—where the champion will take home $15,000—Fryar is feeding Frank excessive amounts of cookies and letting him get some good rest.
WCRA Rodeo Carolina Progressive round 2 results
| 1 | Stephanie Fryar | 16.674 | $1,500 |
| 2 | Fallon Forbes | 16.833 | $1,000 |
| 3 | Ashley Ketron | 16.882 | $750 |
| 4 | Julie Plourde | 16.962 | $350 |
| 5 | Josie Thompson | 17.146 | |
| 6 | Katelyn Rambo | 17.233 | |
| 7 | Ryann Pedone | 17.244 | |
| 8 | Olivia Hodnett | 17.274 | |
| 9 | Julie Goodrich | 17.364 | |
| 10 | Nicole Helm | 22.099 | |
| 11 | Annika Ruth | 22.354 | |
| 12 | Emily Golden | 22.383 |
WCRA Rodeo Carolina Aggregate and Triple Crown of Rodeo qualifiers
| 1 | Fallon Forbes | 33.713 | $3,000 |
| 2 | Ashley Ketron | 33.966 | $2,000 |
| 3 | Julie Plourde | 34.085 | $1,500 |
| 4 | Olivia Hodnett | 34.168 | $1,000 |
| 5 | Josie Thompson | 34.295 | |
| 6 | Katelyn Rambo | 34.30 | |
| Round 1 Champ | Ryann Pedone | ||
| Round 2 Champ | Stephanie Fryar | 16.674 |
