In his first major cutting event, Filipe Resende Barbosa didn't disappoint.
The Brazilian cowboy and his mount, Calm Cool Smooth, marked 214 to win the $100,000 Amateur for 4-Year-Olds finals.
"It's real good," Resende Barbosa said about the win, through translator Armando Costa Neto. "I've always wanted to do this."
Becoming the second international Augusta Futurity champion in two years, Resende Barbosa took home $2,326. Jimmy Holloway of Carrollton, Ga., and Wild Aristo Cat marked 210 to place second at 210 for $1,425. John Hulsey of Gainesville, Ga., the only rider with two horses in the six-horse final, placed third on Dox Ichi (208, $1,125) and fourth on Cats A Thumpin (201, $825).
Earlier in the day, Resende Barbosa and Calm Cool Smooth posted a score of 215.5 to win the go-round. Despite running 10th -- last -- in the second bunch of horses, the pair marked the top score.
"My horse was real good," he said. "When I got done, I was confident it was a good run."
The mare is by Smooth As A Cat out of Fruit of the Boom. Resende Barbosa purchased the horse from Kyle Manion at the NCHA Futurity in December.
"I really like the way she works," Resende Barbosa said. "I thought she was a mare that could work good at the shows."
The 24-year-old Resende Barbosa, who grew up around horses in Sao Paulo, Brazil, earned a college degree in agronomy before coming to the United States.
Resende Barbosa moved two weeks ago to Weatherford, Texas, to live with Costa Neto, his Brazilian friend. Costa Neto said Resende Barbosa is living in Texas for two years to train and show horses before returning to South America. Resende Barbosa said the motivation to make the move from Brazil was simple: trainer John Mitchell.
"I've always liked the way his horses worked," Resende Barbosa said. "I've always wanted to come and work for him."
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
