Eddie Flynn, on Boon San Kitty, won the Open division of the Western Horseman Cup with a score of 221 on Friday night. Special

It's only fitting the top qualifier in the Western Horseman Cup Open competition walked away with the season-ending title.

Boon San Kitty, with trainer Eddie Flynn aboard, did just that.

Flynn and his mare rung up a score of 221 to win the Western Horseman Cup Open finals Friday night at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Flynn, of Mineral Wells, Texas, earned a $50,000 check for his first win at the Augusta Futurity. Austin Shepard of Summerdale, Ala., and Widows Intentions marked 220 for $23,250, while Roger Wagner of Weatherford, Texas, and Laredo Blue finished third (218.5, $15,190).

"It's very prestigious," Flynn said. "This show's been running for a very long time. It's very special to win here."

Flynn's mare earned the most points of any horse during the three Western Horseman Cup seasons. It became the second consecutive horse with the highest point total to win this event ñ Chiquita Pistol won the Western Horseman Cup Open finals in its inaugural 2004 run.

Flynn and Boon San Kitty rode fifth in the 15-horse finals. The two built a steady ride that seemed to improve on each cut. The pair cut a third cow with 10 seconds and worked their magic.

"The third cow just sealed the run," Flynn said. "It just really allowed us to show off the mare to its full potential."

Boon San Kitty, by High Brow Cat out of Boon San Sally, is owned by Alice Walton's Rocking W Ranch. The horse has brought in more than $350,000 in earnings, including more than $92,000 in the Augusta Futurity.

Walton couldn't contain her emotions after the victory.

"It's a dream come true," she said. "She's just a little horse we raised.

"I knew she was the best horse. The question was if she could get the right cattle.

"And Eddie did a great job. He's just amazing."

The 35-year-old Flynn has amassed more than $1 million in career earnings.

A good chunk of that money came last year.

Flynn and the horse put together a solid 2004 season.

The two were reserve champions at the Breeder's Invit ational Derby before winning the Suncoast Winter Championship and the Music City Futurity.

A native of New South Wales, Australia, Flynn matched his brother, Sean, with one victory apiece in the Augusta Futurity. Sean Flynn won the 2002 Classic Open. CutlineSteve Norman/Special