The 24th annual Augusta Futurity begins at 8 this morning with the first of two amateur events - but it's tonight's World Championship Bull Riding event that has everybody abuzz.

"I don't know much about it, but it's fun," futurity show chairman Pete May said. "It's like NASCAR. It's dangerous. It's exciting."

The bull riding event starts at 8 p.m. and is presented by the USC Aiken baseball team. Head coach Kenny Thomas was involved in rodeos when he became the Pacers' head coach in 1999.

After having a rodeo in Aiken, Thomas decided to hold a bull riding competition in 2001 at the Hippodrome in North Augusta. He met May afterward, and the two talked about making bull riding a part of the Augusta Futurity.

"It was a perfect match," Thomas said.

"What we have not had in the past is any momentum on the front end of the show," May said. "We will effectively entertain the competitors and the community. And hopefully the momentum will carry through the rest of the show."

Fifty-five riders are entered in the 2 1/2 -hour competition. Each entrant must stay on the bull at least eight seconds to obtain a score.

The scoring comes from two judges, who rank rides on a point scale that runs from one to 50. The toughness of the bull makes up 25 points; how well the rider performs makes up the other 25 points. Riders get more points if they stay on the middle of the bull and if they can spur the bull (or kick the bull with the back of their boots).

The bull riding event is new to the futurity, but that doesn't mean Thomas is making it easy on the riders. When it comes to the quality of bulls, Thomas said, "We're bringing the 'A' team."

One of the bulls is named Tennessee Pride. Thomas expects it to be one of the top bulls in the country at this time next year.

Tickets are available at the civic center box office or call Ticketmaster at (706) 828-7700. Cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 or under.

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