The dirt is in the arena. The cows have been picked. The cutters are ready.

The 26th edition of the Augusta Futurity kicks off at 8 a.m. today with the go-round of the $50,000 Amateur for 5-6-Year-Olds at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

About 625 competitors will be vying for a share of a $1 million purse during the 10-day show. The futurity holds eight official events, and two will exit stage left at the end of this evening.

The $20,000 Non-Pro go-round begins about 2 p.m. Later today, the finals of the $50,000 Amateur for 5-6-Year-Olds and $20,000 Non-Pro will take place.

After the completion of the go-round of the $50,000 Any Age Friday afternoon, cows will move out of the way for bulls.

The third Extra Inning World Championship Bull Riding event presented by USC Aiken will be held at 8 p.m. The wildly popular event sold out last year and is expected to do so again this year.

"It adds to the ambiance," Augusta Futurity show manager Pete May said. "It starts the week off with a lot of enthusiasm."

On Saturday, the Wrangler Family Fun Fest will be held. The event, which features cloggers, music, pony rides and a petting zoo, runs from noon to 5 p.m. on the civic center plaza and is free to the public.

Later that night, families, of any size, will be admitted for $10 for the two finals - the $50,000 Amateur Any Age and Area 18 Youth Scholarship Cutting.

The futurity will end with a flurry of finals next week. On Thursday night, the Classic Non-Pro and Classic Open finals will be held. The Western Horseman Cup finals follow on Friday evening.

The jewel of the show, the Futurity Open finals, will run Saturday night after the Futurity Non-Pro finals.

One annual event that will not occur during the futurity is the Horse & Carriage Parade.

The event has been backed up to May 14, a move made because of inclement weather that forced the cancellation of last year's parade.

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

$20,000 Non-Pro Any Age Go Round 1
Working orders are listed by working order, rider name, rider's hometown, and horse name

1. Gene Nazzaro, Georgetown, CT, Maceys Hickory
2. Mary Ellen Graves, Hilton Head Island, SC, Haidas Scout
3. Khader Daoud, Baker, FL, Haidas Whirl Pool
4. Sheila Ray, Aiken, SC, Kristals Smart Lena
5. William Culp, Marshville, NC, Zipa Freckles
6. Will Arthur, Turkey, NC, San Jolean
7. Todd Quirk, Denham Springs, LA, Poison Oak Smarts
8. Greg Driggers, Hephzibah, GA, Playguns Buddy
9. Thomas Bailey, Carbondale, CO, Smokin CD
10. Daniel Keene Sr., Land O Lakes, FL, Peppys Bo Diddley

CATTLE CHANGE

11. Brooks Warnell, Ellabell, GA, Haidarico
12. Bill Willis, New Bern, NC, Smart Gaviota
13. Pam Foster, Weikert, PA, Swiss Girl
14. Al Cofer, Loganville, GA, Freckled Four Bits
15. Charles Love, Fort Pierce, FL, TR Ima Smart
16. Kelly Milligan, Laurinburg, NC, Playfino
17. Larry Rushton, St. George, SC, Peppys Jamaican Ms
18. C. Wayne McDonald, High Point, NC, Belle Fifty San
19. Annie Laurie McDonald, Maidens, VA, Start Markin
20. Tammy Freeman, Burgaw, NC, Hickorys Candy Man
21. Jack Mitchem, Robertsdale, AL, J R Colord Rambo

CATTLE CHANGE

22. Randy Samko, Ocala, FL, Mr Guard N Flite
23. Sterling McDavid, Fort Worth, TX, Pretty Bo Bunny
24. Tammy Coyne, Robbins, NC, Kid Richardson
25. Ernie Causey, Loris, SC, Solid Gold Lena
26. Mark Wilson Baggett, Turkey, NC, Mr Holey Chic Olena
27. Darrell Copeland, Ft. Lonesome, FL, Shortys Playgun
28. Larry Schreibman, Burton Township, OH, Royal Boons Solano
29. Sarah Morine, Brock, TX, Special Travalena
30. Chad Johnston, Port Deposit, MD, Ethan Playmate San
31. David Dent, Johns Island, SC, Decidedlys Lil Pep
32. Michele Puryear, Hiram, GA, Hava Another Playboy

CATTLE CHANGE

33. Becky Schatt, Ocala, FL, Oak Alot
34. Sterling McDavid, Fort Worth, TX, Docs Stylish Jewels
35. Chris Wood, Laurinburg, NC, Snappin Wil
36. Pam Foster, Weikert, PA, Tess My Grit
37. Larry Hudson, Columbia, SC, Paulies Little Lena
38. Bill Willis, New Bern, NC, Little Dual Missie
39. Mary Ellen Graves, Hilton Head Island, SC, A Lot Like CD
40. Jimmy Matthews, LaGrange, GA, Little Toucha Haida
41. Jessica Banuelos, Jacksboro, TX, Tronas Choice
42. Ellen Ganey, Pomaria, SC, Stylish Page Boy
43. Douglas Batchelor, Evans, GA, Instant Jazz 297

$50,000 Amateur 5/6-Year-Old Go Round 1
Working orders are listed by working order, rider name, rider's hometown, and horse name

1. Jason McClure, Hayesville, NC, Rainboy Badge
2. Kristen York, Saratoga, WY, Especially Selena
3. Khader Daoud, Baker, FL, Haidas Whirl Pool
4. Patty Ravenel, Yonges Island, SC, Docs Jeweletta
5. George Reeves, St. George, SC, Duhons Miz Barbara
6. Jordan Shultz, Bloomington, IL, Peppiers Little Lena
7. Jon D Price, Sour Lake, TX, Alenas Choice
8. Jim Langdale, Quitman, GA, Peponita Times Two
9. Douglas Tyson, Metter, GA, Gin N Trona
10. Jamie Johnson, Benson, NC, Docs Hickalena
11. Mary Ellen Graves, Hilton Head Island, SC, Smart Bobbi Sock

CATTLE CHANGE

12. Ernie Guzman, Richmond, TX, Ceesawboonsmal
13. Kirkland Gruber, St. George, SC, Mistys Playguns
14. Brooks Warnell, Ellabell, GA, Rico Little Gracies
15. Dennis Branham, Branchville, SC, A Cool Pistol
16. Amanda Holden, DeFuniak Springs, FL, Play N Cash
17. W.S. "Billy" Morris III, Augusta, GA, Miss Peptogin
18. Mary Ellen Graves, Hilton Head Island, SC, So She Wood
19. Delores Dement, Oakfield, TN, Dual For Innocence
20. Todd Quirk, Denham Springs, LA, Why Two Kit
21. Beverly Brent, Lufkin, TX, Brigashorty
22. Terra Savage, Burlington, NC, Lectric Annie

CATTLE CHANGE

23. W.S. "Billy" Morris III, Augusta, GA, Tanqs Freckles
24. Bill Simpson, Monroe, GA, Twice As Flashy
25. Kathy Reeves, St. George, SC, Duallys R For Chicks
26. Larry Schreibman, Burton Township, OH, Royal Boons Solano
27. Buddy Adams, Abbeville, SC, Quixote Sweets
28. Billy Ray Tanner, Lake City, FL, Smokin Smart Mate
29. J. Terry Strange, Houston, TX, Smokin Dual Rey
30. Annie Laurie McDonald, Maidens, VA, Lenas Litigator
31. Bruce Cournoyer, Miami, FL, Bee A Babes Cat
32. Kaitlyn Larsen, Millsap, TX, Shania Pep
33. Dorie Griffith, Madison, GA, SR Smart Lil Athena

CATTLE CHANGE

34. Rob Getz, Milton, WI, CD Thomas Crown
35. Kevin Baumann, Red Deer, AB, CANADA, Genuine Miss Royal
36. Jim Pinson, Cynthiana, KY, HR Smart Smoke
37. J. Terry Strange, Houston, TX, Lonestar Rip
38. Alison Royal, Mooresville, NC, Daddys Own Stardust
39. Will Arthur, Turkey, NC, Persius
40. Sterling McDavid, Fort Worth, TX, Clippers Great Day
41. Tammy Freeman, Burgaw, NC, Little High Hickory
42. Pam Thompson, Dillard, GA, Dualin In Style
43. John F Bembry, Tallahassee, FL, Jerrys Outback
44. Brooks Warnell, Ellabell, GA, Ricos Little One

CATTLE CHANGE