Talking with Caroline Bowen reminds me of why I write these stories. Her humility, faith, passion, and perseverance stand out, as does her love for roping and livestock. Caroline’s journey with breakaway roping is fueled by her no quit mindset. If she gets in a slump, she will go back to the practice pen and take a break—but never stop trying.
An eastern North Carolina cowgirl, Caroline grew up in LaGrange, NC as a second-generation horsewoman and cowgirl. As a little girl, all she wanted to do was be a cowgirl, and her fascination with the Western way of life continues today. She speaks of this lifestyle in terms of devotion to animals, willingness to be up at all night hours to ensure an animal is okay and taken care of and staying connected with the land and one’s livestock.
Her parents were and continue to be integral to her success. Their support and understanding of the industry were paramount. Although her mother never competed, she was always at the ropings, barrel races, and rodeos to cheer on Caroline. She made videos of her runs and was always there to help. Caroline’s dad was a calf roper who took a break when she was born but got back into roping when she was a teenager. She cherishes the time that team roping gave them to spend together, as she heeled and he headed, and they rode their way across many practice pens and arenas. At the time, the Mid-Eastern Team Roping Association (METRA) was thriving in eastern NC, and they were regular competitors.
Caroline has always been interested in breakaway roping, but previously couldn’t locate jackpots, instructors, or opportunities in her area. She’d stick an old calf head into a hay bale and practice, or rope a sled, and then get frustrated from not knowing the best way to do it. So, she began pursuing her other interest: barrel racing.
Her partner was a horse named Kansas who could switch hats from being a head horse to her barrel racing horse, happy for her to play around with the calf sled or anything else she wanted to try–a true jack of all trades.
As she got more confident and serious about barrel racing, she brought home a new horse named Rowdy and enjoyed jackpots in Goldsboro and Williamston on him.
Although she never consciously decided to stop team roping, other aspects of life got busier, and her roping waned. In the meantime, the METRA organization crumbled as well.
Caroline got married in 2019 to her husband John, and the two share a special partnership. As she says, he is the most wonderful supporter and cheerleader–an all-around amazing blessing.
John is from Harrells, NC, and they now live there together. With John’s support, Caroline was able to start pursuing her breakaway roping dream from their new home. Little by little, he turned the pasture into an arena and kept building what she needed to rope. People began giving her bottle babies that she would bottle feed and then try to rope. Later on, she got her calves.
At first, Caroline was still riding Rowdy in a few rodeos, dually entering the barrel racing and the breakaway roping. It was an expensive practice to enter both, and Rowdy was very consistent at the jackpots but wasn’t quite the best fit for her rodeo goals. So, she decided to embrace her gratitude for the confidence and lessons Rowdy gave her and sell him to someone who could also learn from him. Rowdy found his new perfect home with a young girl whom Caroline is certain was sent from God just for him.
She then switched to using Kansas as her main breakaway mount, while also continuing to search for a new horse with the attributes she desired to ride.
She finally found him in a special horse named Judge that came from fellow NC calf ropers Tori and Robbie Murdock. True to his name, Judge is an incredibly honest horse whose consistency brings peace of mind and great setups for his partner to do their job well. Judge has already carried her to one of her career highlights: competing in the inaugural WCRA Rodeo Carolina in Tryon, NC.
Caroline plans to return to Rodeo Carolina and has an additional goal of making the Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) Finals, yet also tries to keep her priorities in line, remembering it is all for fun and will work out in God’s timing. Above all else, whether she ropes well or not, she knows it doesn’t change the woman she is.
Everyone knows in rodeo that one good night doesn’t necessarily mean the next one will be good as well, but Caroline is working hard to ensure she gives herself the best opportunity each time. From practicing in the pen to working on her fitness and drawing motivation from greats like Jackie Crawford, she always wants to be the best version of herself.
When not practicing or working at her full-time job, Caroline also has a young horse she is bringing along named Baybe. This is her first time working with one that isn’t a seasoned older horse, and she is enjoying the journey of watching a horse develop.
She purchased Baybe as a green broke four-year-old. She says by God’s grace Baybe has been easy to work with and is progressing well. Caroline enjoys playing around with the rope around her (Rattler Striker in the summer and Viper in the winter) and exposing her to new things, and also credits Tori Murdock with her progress. Tori kept Baybe for three months last summer, pen roped on her a bunch, and gave her a solid start on calves. Now, Caroline is starting to take Baybe to some jackpots, and can’t wait to see their partnership continue to grow.
The future is full of possibilities for Caroline Bowen, but regardless of the arena success and struggles, she knows who she is and what she loves.
Keep an eye out for her and Baybe at a rodeo near you!
*All photo credit to the respective photographers.
