The 250-mile, three-day round trip from Adel in south Georgia to Augusta meant leaving his wife and two young children at home. But the trip proved rewarding on Jan. 24, 2004, as Chad Roland, 30, captured the $50,000 Amateur for 4-year-olds at the Augusta Futurity.

"It was just too much travel for the kids for a one-day show," he said. "But they really support me and give me the time to spend with the (horses). I try to involve them as much as I can and make it a family event."

Roland marked a 215 to win the class on Jessies Smart Tari, a gelding by Jessie Rey Tari out of Sujosmart Annabelle by Smart Sujo. A 218.5 took the event in 2003, so Roland doubted that he would win, although he figured he would finish high in the money. However, the score held up. Matt Miller, Millsap, Texas, finished second with a 214.5 on Swinging Til Five, a gelding by Justa Swinging Peppy out of Fives N Cash by Preferred Monkey.

Roland took home a check for $3,837.

"I knew my colt could do it," Roland said. "I just had to get it put together. This is one of the major shows, and to win it means everything."

Roland, who is in the real estate business, trains his own horses. He purchased Jessies Smart Tari in fall 2002 from the breeders, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Hodges, Covington, Ga. After posting his Augusta victory, Roland sold the gelding to Mark C. Ring, Cordele, Ga.