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Daughter of NASCAR legend to lead field of athletes from the Carolinas 

 

MILL SPRING—The World Champions Rodeo Alliance’s second edition of the $400,000 Rodeo Carolina, the “richest rodeo event east of the Mississippi,” is set to take place October 3 through October 5 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

The event will determine the first eight athletes competing for the WCRA team, The Free Riders, at the 2025 Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo, a reimagined rodeo produced by Professional Bull Riders that will kick off the PBR World Finals Championship weekend in May 2025.

Of the more than 200 athletes slated to compete at Rodeo Carolina, 24 hail from North and South Carolina, led by Taylor Earnhardt Putnam, daughter of legendary NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt. Putnam, the 2015 All-Around Cowgirl at the Southern Rodeo Association, will compete alongside her husband, Brandon Putnam. The Mooresville, N.C. couple will compete across four disciplines, with Taylor competing in breakaway roping and barrel racing, while Brandon will compete in tie-down roping.

No stranger to Rodeo Carolina, Taylor competed in the qualifying rounds of the event in 2023 but did not advance to the progressive rounds.

Tickets for Rodeo Carolina are on sale now and can be purchased online at tryon.com or etix.com or by calling PBR Customer Service at (800) 732-1727.