Cut above the rest

A man walks his horse down an aisle in a barn at the Hippodrome in North Augusta, where those participating in the 34th Augusta Futurity stall their animals. The events at the 34th annual cutting horse show will wrap up Saturday.

Tiffani Banuelos, of Boerne, Texas, checks her phone as SFR Mirada Be Smooth turns his head to her while they stand in a staging area near the main floor of James Brown Arena.

Horses stand in a staging area near the main floor of James Brown Auditorium during the Augusta Futurity.

Riders warm up their horses before being called to the arena for competition during the Augusta Futurity.

Spectators gather to watch the cutting horse rounds in James Brown Area during the Augusta Futurity. Some slept while others chatted during the events.