Seth E. Holcombe left Augusta early Monday morning, embarking on a five-hour drive to Troy, Ala.
That 8 o'clock class comes early, even for an Augusta Futurity champion.
"I'm not going to make that one," said Holcombe, a financial investment major at Troy University. "I'll be back for the second one (at 2 p.m.)"
Holcombe and Hot N Smart marked 221 to win the $100,000 Amateur for 5/6-Year-Olds finals by five points Sunday at James Brown Arena.
Holcombe of Birmingham, Ala., collected $6,198. George E. Moore Jr. of St. George, S.C., and BSR Cat placed second at 216 for $5,062. Eric Kenney of Dawsonville, Ga., and Bet on Blue 498 finished third (214.5, $3,835).
"I've always wanted to win over here," Holcombe said. "This is such a good cutting to be a champion. This means a lot."
The 19-year-old Holcombe joined his father, Van E. Holcombe, with one Augusta win. Van claimed the $20,000 Non-Pro title in 2007.
"I was more excited for him than when I won it," the elder Holcombe said. "I get more nervous when he shows than when I do."
Van E. Holcombe purchased Hot N Smart, a 6-year-old mare by Smart Tipster out of Tabasco Miss, last January. In their first year together, Seth E. Holcombe and his horse claimed their first win.
On Sunday, the pair drew up fourth in the 10-horse final -- an ideal position. Holcombe and Hot N Start cut three cows to establish an early lead.
"The first cow was real good, and I could feel the run building," he said. "The second cow was kind of good, but I never really could get off, and he kept hanging up to the right. So I finally got off and I knew we kind of had to make up for getting a little out of whack there. So I started cutting on my third cow and it worked out pretty good."
Holcombe had a day off after winning the go-round Friday. He helped trainer Austin Shepard work his horses Saturday. Hot N Smart took the time off to rest.
"I think she needed a day off," Holcombe said. "She felt a lot more energetic today and ready to go."
Holcombe said he plans to show his horse several times throughout 2009, including a stop in Tunica, Miss., in two weeks. But cutting shows won't interfere with his schoolwork, according to his father.
"That's the incentive," Van E. Holcombe said. "If he doesn't do good in college, he doesn't get to do this."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
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