Jim Langdale, on Windows Intentions, scored a 221 to win the Non-Pro Division of the Western Horseman's Cup on Friday. Special

A loud roar went up from Jim Langdale's family and friends after his final score was posted. The amateur cutter broke into a wide grin.

Langdale, of Quitman, Ga., had the ride of his life Friday night. He and Widows Intentions marked 221 on the second run of the evening and held on to win the Western Horseman Cup Non-Pro finals in the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Langdale earned $30,001 for his first win in the Augusta Futurity. Lewie Wood of Dennis, Texas, and PRF Playguns Pep finished second at 219.5 for $16,440, while Chad Bushaw of Weatherford, Texas, and Badgers Playdough placed third (218, $10,618).

"It's probably," Langdale said, "the most humbling thing that's ever happened to me in my life."

Langdale rode second in the 15-horse draw and threw down the gauntlet early, cutting three cows for the high mark.

"My heart was beating so hard, I was pretty nervous," he said. "We picked the three cows we cut. The first cow pushed on us a little and we got off-center and I got a little concerned. But the second cow was just fantastic. And then we cut the third cow."

One by one, cutters failed to match Langdale's score. He walked to the back of the arena as the second bunch of horses rode, and only Wood, riding 13th, would make any noise.

"With 221, I knew the judges left themselves some room," Langdale said. "There's a lot of good horses, and obviously, a lot more capable, experienced riders. I just stood back here nervous. If somebody lays down a good run, I congratulate them just the same,"

Widows Intentions, ridden by Langdale's trainer, Austin Shepard, finished second by a point in the Classic Open finals Thursday night. In the Classic Non-Pro finals Thursday night, Langdale and his horse managed just 205 for a 19th place finish.

The 32-year-old Langdale, who manages a forest products business, bought Widows Intentions, a gelding by Widows Freckles out of Intend To Do by Bob Acre Doc, in August. Langdale has only been cutting for 2½ years and let Shepard help pick out the horse.

"I don't profess to be a horse buyer or a cutter," Langdale said. "I'm in the forest products business. And when I went over to (Shepard), I told him that he's my horse manager and to make my horse decisions.

"(Widows Intentions) is just the neatest, hardest-stopping horse I've ever seen. He's really, really cow smart. "

Kyle Manion and Ricochet Pep marked 225.5 in the inaugural Western Horseman Cup Non-Pro finals last year, winning the event by one point. CutlineSteve Norman/Special