Dec. 3, 2014

Senior Layla Choate picked up her first career National Rider of the Month honor on Tuesday after going 2-0 for the Gamecocks during the month of November.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina senior Layla Choate was named National Rider of the Month (November) by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association, it was announced Tuesday. This is the first time Choate has been recognized as the National Rider of the Month, and she becomes the seventh Gamecock rider all-time to earn the honor. She is the first reiner in the history of the program to be named National Rider of the Month.

Choate posted a perfect 2-0 record in November with one MVP for Carolina. In the Gamecocks’ 13-6 win at Fresno State on Nov. 7, she won her first MVP of the season, knocking off her Bulldog opponent, 72.5-68. In South Carolina’s 12-8 win at Oklahoma State on Nov. 21, she posted a 71.5-70 victory over her Cowgirl opponent.

Choate leads the western team this season with a perfect 6-0 record.

The Gamecocks have wrapped up competition for the fall. South Carolina opens up the spring semester on Jan. 31, when the Gamecocks host SMU at One Wood Farm in Blythewood.

NCEA Riders of the Month (November 2014)
– Equitation On The Flat: Samantha Schaefer (Baylor)
– Equitation Over Fences: Ashley Foster (Auburn)
– Horsemanship: Katy Krshka (Oklahoma State)
– Reining: Layla Choate (South Carolina)

South Carolina – All-Time NCEA Riders of the Month
– Layla Choate (reining) – November 2014
– Alexa Anthony (equitation over fences) – February 2014
– Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) – October 2013
– Samantha Smith (equitation on the flat) – October 2013
– Johnna Letchworth (horsemanship) – October 2013
– Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) – September 2013
– Johnna Letchworth (horsemanship) – September 2013
– Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) – March 2013
– Katherine Schmidt (equitation on the flat) – March 2013
– Amber Henter (equitation over fences) – November 2012
– Kimberly McCormack (hunt seat) – October 2012
– Kimberly McCormack (hunt seat) – March 2012