When Randall Bass, Ellensburg, Wash., began showing cutting horses three years ago, his wife, Sheila, didn't know what to think.

Sheila, who stayed home and helped take care of his real estate business, said that when Randall started staying on the road, she thought he was getting a little too addicted.

"I thank my wife for helping me and being patient with me and letting me go off to show cutting horses," said Randall, who was accompanied by his wife on the 2,700-mile trip to Augusta, by way of Weatherford, Texas.

"I wanted to show here in Augusta," he said. "This is one of the most prestigious cuttings in the country. I know it's a long way from Washington, but it's worth it."

Although he had only two hours' sleep, Bass marked a 218 while working 44th of 48 to lead the 5/6-year-old Amateur preliminary round on Friday, Jan. 23. However, he had 10 hours of sleep prior to the 12-horse finals, where he worked first and rang up his winning 219. He earned $5,044 for the victory, which came by three points over Donna Goett,Weatherford, Texas, riding Miss Pocket Pistol.

Missys Boonanza, a 1998 mare by Peptoboonsmal out of Miss Quixote Sails by Doc Quixote, was bred by Leo and Jo Woodbury and purchased by Bass from Mark Stucks, Burleson, Texas, in fall 2000.

"I was just going to go out and cut my cattle clean and cut them in the middle of the pen," Bass said. "If I did my job, I knew the horse would do her job. If it was meant for us to win, we'd do it. And if we didn't, fine."