May 25, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head coach Boo Major has announced the signing of Layla Choate to a national letter of intent to join the Gamecocks for the 2011-2012 season. Choate is a western rider and will be competing with the Gamecock reining squad

“We are so glad to have Layla joining us in the fall. She has proven herself time and time again in the reining pen,” Major said. “She is a great addition to our reining squad and will bring that experience to the competition arena next year. It’s great to have a Kentuckian join our squad!

A native of Taylorstore, Ky., Choate was the 2010 USEF Reining National Champion. She finished third in the 2010 NRHA Youth Year End Top-Five, and was named champion at the 2011 Dixi Nationals Youth and Intermediate Non-Pro. She trains with Jason Torpey.

A senior at Calloway County High School in Murray, Ky., Choate brings an academic resume that is just as impressive as her riding credentials. She has maintained a 3.9 GPA throughout high school. Choate will major in Environmental Science at South Carolina, and is a recipient of the prestigious Woodrow Scholars Award.

Born October 20, 1992 to parents Hoyt and Renee Choate, Layla Choate has a 20-year old brother, Clay. Choate considered the University of Georgia before selecting South Carolina.