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Leader got start as fan
Leader got start as fan
By Chris Gay
Staff Writer for the Augusta Chronicle
Jesse Miller became a fan of the Augusta Futurity long before he became a cutter.
Now he's a finalist.
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Jesse Miller on Lou Cindas Toy.
STEVE NORMAN/SPECIAL
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The Hazlehurst, Ga., native marked a 219 on Lou Cindas Toy and won the Friday go-round of the $50,000 Amateur Any Age. Thirteen riders posted a score of at least 215.5 or better to advance to tonight's finals.
Miller, 19, said he's been to the Augusta Futurity for the past 10 years as a spectator. He is competing in the show for the second time.
In 2001, Miller rode in the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age event but failed to make the finals. During his run Friday, he lacked confidence.
"The cattle didn't feel real good when I was cutting them," Miller said. "I was real nervous about that. They were real sticky feeling. I just went in there and cut, and she did her job."
On Lou Cindas Toy, a 9-year-old mare by Squeak Toy out of Lou Ann San, Miller was able to get close to the 220-mark.
"I wasn't really trying to go for that," Miller said. "I was just hoping I'd get something pretty high where I wouldn't have to worry about making it back."
Tony Atkins will provide some local flavor in tonight's finals. The Augusta native, owner of Atkins and Associates real estate company, marked a 217 on Miss Gingold for a third-place finish in the go-round. Atkins was the final competitor in the group of 12 cutters.
"The helpers really made it possible by picking out some good cattle," Atkins said. "Going last is extremely difficult."
Atkins said he has shown cutting horses in Augusta eight times during the past 12 years. His 220 in the go-round of the $20,000 Amateur Any Age four years ago eclipses Friday's ride.
"That's the first time in awhile that I've had a good run," Atkins said. "I think whoever has the best horse (will win tonight). And if that happens to be someone from Augusta, that'll be nifty."
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