Procrastinating riders beware: the 24th annual Augusta Futurity now has a waiting list.

"If you look at our calendar, we are extremely full," futurity operations manager Sherry Fulmer said.

The nine-day event begins at 8 a.m. Friday with the $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age go-round and will be followed by the $50,000 Amateur Any Age go-round. An independent bull riding competition will be held 8 p.m. Friday night.

There are 672 entrants - 22 more than last year - in eight official events in this year's show. In 2001, there were 530 riders.

"I believe a lot of people are back in it since 9-11," Fulmer said. "They're back in it because they love their horses and they love their family."

The futurity's first weekend is family-oriented, with Saturday being "Family Fun Night." Families, no matter how large, can get into the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center for $10, Fulmer said. There will be roping contests, dance demonstrations and puppet shows. The $20,000 Non-Pro Any Age finals and $50,000 Amateur Any Age finals will also be held that night.

Sunday, the show will hold the Augusta Futurity Horse and Carriage parade, which includes the eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale team. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. from the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds and run through downtown Augusta.

"If you think you've seen (the parade) before, you haven't," Fulmer said. "This year, we've worked the entire Southeast. We're expecting more than 50 carriages."

With the inclusion of the bull riding event and the addition of carriages and Clydesdales to the parade, Fulmer said this year's show has been jazzed up more than usual.

"This is probably the most exciting futurity that we've planned," she said. "We think the city of Augusta will have myriad entertainment.

"The first weekend is fun, but then they get down to serious business."

The futurity wraps up Saturday, Dec. 1, with the Classic Open finals and the Futurity Open finals. The night before, the Classic Non-Pro finals and the Futurity Non-Pro finals will be held.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 114.