Crawley ties youth mark

A freshman at Georgia Southern, Priscilla Crawley owns a 4.0 GPA as well as an idealistic attitude about the future.

She's majoring in real estate.

"I know it's not good right now," Crawley said. "By the time I graduate, it should turn around."

If Crawley can parlay her Augusta success into her future career, she'll be swimming in cash-filled pools.

The recently-turned 19-year-old and her mount, Hanana Vana, marked 222 to claim the Area 18 Youth Scholarship finals Friday night at James Brown Arena.

Crawley matched Matthew Blewitt for the most Area 18 championship titles in Augusta with three. Crawley also owns two second-place showings and two thirds. In Augusta, she's collected more than $13,000 in scholarship money.

"I just love it here," Crawley said. "This is the best place to show in my opinion. This youth cutting is really just a great thing."

With her latest victory, the Unadilla, Ga., native added $3,000.

Jessica Bagley, on Stylish Wood 003, placed second at 219 for a $2,000 scholarship. Christian Miller finished third (217, $1,500), while Morgan Allen finished fourth (214, $1,000) and Kay Parker fifth (213, $500).

Bagley of Taylors, S.C., said she and Crawley are best friends who see each other through their Facebook and Myspace pages. They got to see each other in person Friday evening for an eventful reunion.

"I'm really happy for her," Bagley said. "It's real special for us to finish one-two."

Crawley ran seventh in the 12-horse final. On the board was Bagley's score she posted out of the third hole.

As soon as she began cutting, Crawley said she could feel the run gaining momentum as she and her horse cut out three cows.

"We had our cows picked," she said. "I was hoping to have all our cows pretty much in the center of the pen, which we did. The run just kind of built. It got better and better. He was just on."

Crawley credited the 9-year-old gelding she received two years earlier as a high school graduation gift from her parents. The horse was never shown before, Crawley said. So she worked with him and turned him into a show horse. Together, the pair has earned about $5,000.

"I just like how cowy he is," she said. "He gets real low. He's real pretty in front of a cow. He has a good stop. He's a lot of fun to ride.

"He enjoys his job. He loves to work a cow. He loves it."

Crawley said she gets along with the horse because of his sweet demeanor.

"He has a very good personality," she said. "He loves people."

The lone quirky thing about the horse: he has a girl's name.

"Yeah, and it's a boy," Crawley said. "I don't know where (the previous owners) got that from."

Crawley turned 19 just after the Area 18 deadline -- riders cannot be older than 19 to participate. So she'll have one more opportunity to break Blewitt's record next year. Crawley said she'll show enough to qualify in 2010.

"I love this show," she said. "I hope they continue it for many more years. It's a great thing for the youth."