Clint Allen, one of 30 competitors in tonight's Western Horseman Cup finals, chooses his position in the field for the open event. Special

Janet Westfall trekked from the far edges of the West Coast to Augusta for one reason: to compete in the Western Horseman Cup finals.

Her five-day, 2,500-mile trip was well worth it Thursday afternoon. Westfall drew the yellow No. 1 ping-pong ball in the Non-Pro finals and picked the prime position for tonight's one go-round competition.

The Western Horseman Cup Non-Pro finals will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Open finals. Fifteen Non-Pro riders and 15 Open horses will vie for a share of the $250,000 purse.

The winner of the Open finals will receive $50,000; the Non-Pro champion will earn $30,000.

Riders and horses qualified for the Western Horseman Cup finals by earning points at 50 NCHA-sanctioned shows throughout 2004.

At Thursday's draw, riders and horses had their names drawn. The riders then drew numbered ping-pong balls to choose position in the finals draw.

If positioning holds true, Westfall of Los Olivos, Calif., will be favored to win the Non-Pro finals. She drew the top ball and placed her name in the No. 9 slot, second in the second bunch of cattle. She will ride Jeeps Posi Traction, a gelding by Genuine Jeep out of Starstruck DB.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Westfall said. "It's really neat. We probably live the furthest of anybody who comes here."

Neil Roger, riding Kitty Catalac, a mare by High Brow Cat out of Marias Starlight, selected the No. 1 ball for the Open event. Roger, of Burleson, Texas, decided to place his nameplate in the 10th slot, or third position in the second bunch of cattle.

"It's a big advantage," Roger said. "It's one go-round and that's it.

Mike Kelly holds the box as Gayle Karange draws her number for the one go-round competition in the Non-Pro division. Special

"Third is the premier spot here. It gives you two horses to watch the cattle and make sure you have a good idea of what the cattle are going to do."

Last year, Tag Rice picked the No. 1 ball in the Open portion of the Western Horseman Cup draw. Rice - who chose the second position in the second bunch of cattle - and Chiquita Pistol then went out and won the finals.

Mary Ann Rapp drew the No. 1 ball in last year's Non-Pro draw, and she selected the third position in the second bunch. She and TM Quiver finished second to Kyle Manion and Ricochet Pep in the finals.

This year, Rapp drew the No. 15 ball in the Non-Pro, becoming the last rider to choose. The only available position was last in the first bunch.

"I've learned over the years in cutting it doesn't matter where you draw," Rapp said. "It either works or it doesn't. Sure, it's nice to have an ideal draw, but it doesn't make any difference."