Tag Archives: Elizabeth Cosper

Choate, Cosper, and Johnson Win USEF National Youth Reining Championships

Layla Choate and Plus One Chex (Waltenberry Photography)

Oklahoma City, OK – Youth reiners in three age groups competed in the USEF National Youth Reining Championships at the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City Saturday evening. Layla Choate, Elizabeth Cosper, and Karl Johnson left the Adequan Arena with titles.

In the 19-21 age division there was no lack of drama. When competition ended with Layla Choate (Hazel, KY) and Plus One Chex and Michael Pope (Theodore, AL) and Whizota locked in a tie at the top with scores of 146, the two decided to run off for the National Championship. In the end it was Choate with a run off score of 144 that squeaked out the win. Pope and Whizota gave it their all but finished with 143. Laura Sumrall (Summit, MS) finished third on Einsteins Fancy Pine.

Elizabeth Cosper (Wilmington, NC) and Magnums Pretty Patty bested a field of ten to take the 14-18 age division National Championship. It was a close competition in which the top three riders were separated by only half a point. Cosper’s 139.5 was good enough for a win over Hailey Munger (Atlanta, GA) and Surely A Smartpepto who took second via tiebreaker over Javier Melo (Pinecrest, FL) and Wimpy Little Girl. Munger and Melo both finished half a point off the championship score with 139s. Scores of two judges, one representing NRHA and one representing USEF, were combined to determine final scores. The score given by USEF judge Greg Darnall was used as a tiebreaker. Darnall scored Melo at 69 and Munger just a bit higher at 69.5.

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Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

Oklahoma City, OK – Michael Pope’s 7-year-old horse, Whizota, “tried his heart out” and that determination edged the pair over their competitors into first place. Pope, Elizabeth Cosper and Olivia Hartman were crowned USEF National Youth Reining champions of three separate age groups at Saturday’s 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby.

The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011.

Pope, a 21-year-old from Theodore, AL, won the 19-21 age division on a score of 141 over Pilot Point, TX-rider Breanne Bertrand, who took the reserve spot on Stoned Chick on 140. Pope also claimed the third-place position, riding Whizn Freckle on a score of 139.5.

“The show is always fun and people were great,” Pope said. “I am very proud of my horse he did great.  It was a long trip to get here but it paid off big. Tim McQuay did a great job training this horse and I really enjoy showing him.”

Pope’s victory is just the latest in a long string of accomplishments that include: showing at all three NRHA Non Pro levels and leading the nation in USEF Youth 19-21 division and Adult Amateur division; 2009 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2008 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Reserve Champion Youth 14-18; 2005-2007 Mississippi Reining Horse Association Year-End Champion Youth 14-18; 2009 Year-End Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2; and 2009 Year-End Reserve Champion Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1.

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