With the 25th annual Augusta Futurity just two weeks away, one number stands out.

One million dollars.

William S. Morris III, president of the Augusta Futurity talks about this year's event and talks about the new Western Horseman Cup which will have the winner's name, one open, one non-pro engraved on it. He spoke at a press conference held at the Augusta Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning. The Augusta Futurity celebrates 25 years. Annette M. Drowlette/Staff

For the silver anniversary of the futurity, the show boasts its largest purse ever. Money, though, is just one of the attractions of this year's event.

Augusta Futurity show chairman W.S. Morris III remarked on the additions and changes to the show during Tuesday's Champions Club Roundup. The 79-member Champions Club is a patrons group that financially supports the futurity.

"I want you to give yourselves a hand," Morris said to the standing-room only gathering at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. "Can you believe this has been 25 years?"

The Augusta Futurity is scheduled for Jan. 22-31. More than 600 entrants are expected to compete for the record-breaking purse.

The futurity looks to build off last year's successful companion events: the Horse & Carriage Parade and bull-riding competition. The show has also added the Western Horseman Cup finals and the Western Culture & Food Festival.

The Western Horseman Cup finals, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, is expected to be one of the futurity's main draws. Seventeen open 4-year-old horses and 15 non-professional riders qualified for the one go-round, $250,000 event through a yearlong points standings competition.

The winner of the Western Horseman Cup open finals takes home $50,000, while the non-pro champion earns $30,000. Also, each champion will have his name inscribed on a 13-pound sterling silver trophy, which will be on temporary display during the futurity and permanent display in the lobby of the National Cutting Horse Association headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

"You will see some of the finest horses and riders in the country compete," Morris said. "I think it's going to be a win-win situation for everybody."

Outside the arena, fans can enjoy the inaugural Western Culture & Food Festival. The event, on Seventh Street in front of the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, will be held Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 25 and will include cowboy gunfighters; American Indian cultural performances; food vendors serving Western, Mexican and traditional food; Country, bluegrass, salsa and Southern rock concerts; and Western merchandise vendors.

"We hope this is going to be a nice first weekend addition to the show," Morris said.

The parade, Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m., is expected to be the largest display of horse-drawn vehicles and mounted riders in the Southeast and will debut the Heinz Hitch, an 8-up black Percheron hitch to a 150-year-old Studebaker wagon.

Also, the USC Aiken baseball team will present its second-annual world championship bull-riding competition. Pacers coach Kenny Thomas said at least 12 of his 15 "most wanted" bull riders are expected to compete in the Friday, Jan. 23 event.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222, ext. 114.

-- From the Wednesday, January 7, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle