Mark Pearson came to Augusta mainly because of the Western Horseman Cup finals. He'll be leaving the town with a different title.

Mark Pearson, riding Haidas Merlin, wins the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Finals with a score of 221 on the final day of the Augusta Futurity. Jeff Barnes/Special

On Haidas Merlin, Pearson posted 221 to win the Augusta Futurity Classic Open finals by one point Saturday night at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Pearson of Spearman, Texas, took home the first-place check of $18,576. Defending champion Mary Ann Rapp of Weatherford, Texas, and Cat Tuesday placed second for $13,067, while Scotty Rice of Weatherford, Texas, and Dees Cats Meow finished third (219, $10,889).

"It's a lot of work, getting your horse trained and showing it," Pearson said. "There's a lot of long hours. It just makes it all worthwhile when you do good.

"Everything just fell in place tonight."

Showing cutting horses since 1988, Pearson never made the trip to Augusta because of the distance. He decided to make the trek this year because of the inaugural Western Horseman Cup finals and the $30,000 it offered to the winner.

"That's why I came, because that's a really good deal," he said. "Mr. Morris (W.S. Morris III, Augusta Futurity chairman) puts up a lot of money for one run."

The 37-year-old Pearson and his gelding, by Haidas Little Pep out of An Apple A Day, shook away the butterflies early in their ride. The two grew more comfortable and cut three cows.

"aidas Merlin) was a little bit nervous on that first calf," Pearson said. "About midway through that first calf, he started to settle in. I was probably too nervous starting out. I probably got him nervous. ... About three moves into that first calf, I finally kind of relaxed."

Pearson and his horse marked their score ninth in the 21-horse draw. While he waited, Pearson watched the cattle in case of a workoff, knowing first place wasn't secure.

"Any of them could've moved it," he said. "There were a lot of good horses (left)."

Pearson couldn't have picked much better help for his run. His four helpers included seven-time Augusta Futurity champion Phil Rapp, three-time champion Lloyd Cox, Boyd Rice and Kory Pounds.

"My help, I couldn't have done it without them," Pearson said. "They were watching the cattle, paying attention to what had been cut and what looked like they'd be good to work."

Julie McCloud of Millsap, Texas, and High Country Lake led after two go-rounds. The two drew up first in the second bunch of cattle, but failed to put together a consistent run.

"My horse fought me a little bit on my cuts," she said. "I couldn't get him standing up. I didn't start off very good. My cows were good. It was my fault, mine and my horse's, for fighting each other a little bit."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222, ext. 114 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.