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Georgian gets to keep win in amateur event
By Chris Gay
Staff Writer for the Augusta Chronicle
It took Ken Warnell four years and an extra hour Saturday night to earn his first win in the Augusta Futurity.
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Ken Warnell on Haidas Peprico own the $50,000 Amateur Any Age Competition with a score of 220.0.
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JEFF BARNES/STAFF
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After judges reviewed videotape and overturned his apparent win in the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age finals, Warnell scored an aggressive 220 to win the $50,000 Amateur Any Age finals.
On Haidas Peprico, a 13-year-old stallion by Haidas Little Pep out of Doc's Rico Girl, Warnell picked up a first-place check of $5,070.
The Ellabell, Ga., cutter earned more than $8,000 in two events Saturday. If not for his miscue trying to cut a third cow in the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age finals, Warnell could have won two titles.
"I was wanting to make up for that mistake I made earlier," Warnell said. "I was either going to win it or blow it. I wasn't riding for second place."
Aiken's Kyle Register had her best finish in two years showing cutting horses in the Augusta Futurity, finishing as reserve champion. She rode her 9-year-old mare, GL Miss Hickory San, to 218 for $3,588.
"It's nice to be in your hometown and do well," said Register, who said her high score in 2001 was 212. "My family and friends were here, so it's a real special night."
Just as it was for Warnell. After years of nearly winning in Augusta, he finally broke through.
"Three reserve championships, a third place, a fourth place and a seventh place - I was due for one," Warnell said.
Warnell's younger brother, Steve, became the youngest champion in Augusta Futurity history when he won the $50,000 Amateur Any Age in 1996 at age 14.
"I just couldn't be outdone by my little brother," Warnell said. "There's a little sibling rivalry in the family, and I just had to do something about it."
Warnell's family has had Haidas Peprico for 13 years. Warnell started riding him five years ago.
"We're pretty well comfortable after five years," he said. "I'm not worried about him. I know he's going to do his job. Really, it all comes down to me. If I don't do good on that horse, it's my fault."
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