30th Annual Augusta Futurity Jan 23 – 31st, 2009
30TH ANNUAL AUGUSTA FUTURITY OFFERS LOTS OF ACTION AND FUN
Press Release
All photos: ©2008 Morris Communications Corp.
AUGUSTA, GA. — The 30th annual Augusta Futurity again promises to be full of cutting horse action and fun taking place Friday, Jan. 23, through Saturday, Jan. 31, in James Brown Arena.
“I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for 30 years,” said Show Chairman William S. Morris III on Jan. 6 at the annual Champions Club Roundup.
“The show is sound financially,” he added. “We’re sound in terms of acceptability by the people who come here from a long way to ride their horses and from the people who watch. We’re sound because of Augusta’s acceptance with this show. We rest on three firm foundations: this Champions Club, our corporate sponsors and more than 100 local volunteers who make this show happen.”
Morris also stressed that this show, the largest cutting event east of the Mississippi River, is destined to last way into the future and quipped that Show Manager Pete May is committed to the long term.
“He has agreed to serve as show chairman for show No. 60,” Morris said with a smile.
Morris noted the first show only had one event while the 2009 show will have eight with about 600 entries compared with the first show which had about 140.
Already there is a lot of interest being shown in a new event being called the Champions Challenge which will be held Jan. 30 and feature 48 past champions — 24 in the Open and 24 in the Non-Pro.
“We think that may be our best event,” May said.
With help from the Champions Club, the Augusta Futurity patrons group, the show will feature almost $800,000 in prize money, up from $727,000 last year. The futurity will have $300,000 of added money, with an additional $50,000 thrown into the mix because of the 30th anniversary.
Here is a summary of the main Futurity offerings:
* AUGUSTA FUTURITY MAIN COMPETITION: Friday, Jan. 23, through Saturday, Jan. 31, cutting horse competition, James Brown Arena, general admission tickets available for daytime events which begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, through Friday, Jan. 30, adults $6, children 12 and younger, $2.
* CHAMPIONSHIP BULL RIDING: Saturday, Jan. 24. Begins 8 p.m., James Brown Arena. Tickets are $22 for premium lower seats; $18 for premium upper seats; $16 for all lower level end seats and $16, adults, and $10 children 12 and younger for all upper level end seats. Tickets available at the arena box office.
* WRANGLER FAMILY FUN FEST: Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fun for kids of all ages on Arena Plaza on 7th Street. Pony rides by Graystone Ranch in Hephzibah, Ga., clogging by Rhythm & Class and also Footloose and Fancy Free groups, Western town and performance by Tara Scheyer & The Mud Puppy Band. Festival free! Take your kid’s photo on Maverick, the Texas Longhorn for a donation. Admission inside the arena to watch the cutting action also is free with tickets being distributed during the festival by Wrangler..
* VENDORS: Civic Center Lobby and downstairs, Jan. 23-31; Bell Auditorium Western Expo begins Wednesday, Jan. 28, goes through Saturday, Jan. 31, with western wear and many one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items. Admission is free to the Bell’s Western Expo.
* FUTURITY COUNTRY DANCE: Wednesday, Jan. 28, beginning 8 p.m., Country Club nightclub, rockin’ country music with band Coaltrain plus country star T. Graham Brown and also Cowboy Troy (known for his appearances with Big & Rich); doors open at 7 p.m., show time begins at 8 p.m., $15 for regular patrons, Futurity participants get in free with badges but must pay for drinks.
* AUGUSTA STALLION STAKES BREEDING AUCTION: Friday, Jan. 30, approximately 2 to 6 p.m. (after second go 4-year-old Futurity Non-Pro), Ramada Plaza Hotel, 640 Broad St., not a sale of stallions but of donated breedings.
* THE CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE: Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m., James Brown Arena, adults, $14.50; children 12 and younger, $5.
* AUGUSTA FUTURITY HORSE SALE: Saturday, Jan. 31, Begins 9 a.m., James Brown Arena, take home your own cutting horse! Viewing free. Cash and checks accepted.
* FUTURITY FINALS: Saturday, Jan. 31, James Brown Arena. Opening ceremony, 6:30 p.m., adults, $16.50; children 12 and younger, $5.
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