Clark, Swinging school opponents
Chisholm Clark tried to contain his excitement Friday night.
After finishing second in the Area 18 Youth Scholarship Cutting finals a year ago, Clark and his gelding, Swinging Til Five, learned from the past.
The pair threw down the gantlet early, marking 221 to win the 14-horse competition by one point at James Brown Arena.
"I'm very happy, very pleased," Clark said. "I don't want to get the big head. I've got to ride in the morning."
Clark, who will ride two horses in this morning's $50,000 Amateur Any Age go-round, claimed the first place prize -- a $3,000 scholarship. He switched places with defending champions Nicole Sutton and Teninos Little Rebel, who marked 220 for second place and a $2,000 scholarship.
Christian Miller and Lakers Scandal finished third (215, $1,500), while Hallie Davis and Maximilianox DNA and Graham Tedder and Tiweedo tied for fourth to each earn a $1,000 scholarship.
The 15-year-old Clark of Fountain Inn, S.C., and his mount opened the 14-horse final. Riding first suited the pair. Swinging Til Five cut three cows and marked the highest score of this year's Augusta Futurity.
"He had his ears up. His head was down where I wanted it to be," Clark said. "It just worked out tonight."
Clark's parents, Rodger and Stephanie, bought the 11-year-old gelding four years ago. Chisholm spent the first year trying to figure out how to ride the horse. The past three years, they've sharpened their skills together.
Clark said his horse has plenty of superior qualities.
"He's real cow smart," Clark said. "And he tries. He's got a really big heart."
Clark, a freshman baseball player at Woodmont High School, said he didn't have a game plan for his run in the Area 18 Youth Scholarship Cutting finals. Trainer Eddie Braxton told him to just cut whatever was in front of him.
The run worked out, though Clark wasn't sure how good it was.
"I knew I had an average to big score," Clark said. "I was just out there for the ride."