Eric Kenney rode Young Boogie Man, an 8-year-old gelding, to victory in the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age on Thursday at the Augusta Futurity. Special

For first-time Augusta Futurity competitors like Eric Kenney, there was little stress after getting through the go-round.

Kenney knew he was going to earn a buckle at the very least. He ended up taking home much more.

Atop Young Boogie Man, Kenney marked 218 to win the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age finals by 3.5 points.

Kenney of Dawsonville, Ga., won $5,487. Reagan Lancaster and Talamasca Cat finished second at 214.5 for $4,440. Thomas Bailey and Smokin CD tied Jack Mitchem and J R Colord Rambo for third (213, $3,134).

Kenney and his horse squeaked into the 10-horse finals, making it right on the cut line of 213. He said his nerves disappeared after he advanced to the championship round.

"I just made the finals at Augusta," he said. "That's all I wanted. So this was just a bonus, going back in for a second round.

"I was just calm. It didn't matter. Then when I looked up and saw 218, I knew I could win this thing."

Kenney and his wife, Leslie, were active participants in two different horse events in recent years. In 2005, he decided to leave the sport of team penning, while she dropped Western Pleasure riding. They met in the middle and picked up cutting.

They made an initial purchase of Young Boogie Man, an 8-year-old gelding by Young Gun out of Cee Beulena. But instead of immediate success, the Kenneys began making rookie mistakes atop the horse and started teaching him bad habits.

Eric Kenney, a general contractor, struggled in the new sport until he met trainer Todd Gann about six months ago. Gann took the horse in, along with the Kenneys.

"We were floundering until we found Todd," Kenney said. "This sport, when you have a good trainer, becomes so much easier. Todd really knows how to talk to you and explain things. He's out there with you. He comforts you. To find a trainer and a horse you match with is just gold."

Kenney and Young Boogie Man displayed a golden performance Thursday night. Kenney said he felt confident when he entered the pen.

"It's one of those things where you go in and you just feel like you're going to win," he said.

The victory marked quite a turnaround for the pair, which entered with about $1,200 in career earnings. Kenney credited Gann but also praised his horse.

"He's got a lot of heart and a lot of try," he said. "He just doesn't quit."

Earlier in the day, Bailey and Smokin CD won the go-round with 219, just ahead of Zachary Knowles and Prince Is My Name (218.5).

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.