July 14, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Incoming South Carolina freshman Layla Choate recently won the inaugural NRHA Interscholastic Reining Championship at the 2011 NRHA Derby, held in Oklahoma City.

Eight accomplished riders from the NRHyA and IEA competed on some of the finest horses at the Derby, with Choate easily stealing the show.

“We have had our eye on Layla for a while I think she is peaking at the perfect time competing in the NRHA and I am sure that will carry over to competing for us once the fall rolls around,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “We are so proud of her accomplishments.”

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 recent graduate of 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 University if South Carolina’s prestigious Woodrow Scholars Award.

Photo credit: NRHA/Waltenberry