Fifteen-year-old Lance Cooper of Weatherford, Texas, marked 219 to move into the lead after Thursday’s second round of Non-Pro competition at the Jerry’s Chevrolet NCHA Futurity, presented by Great American Insurance. Riding Bet Shes A Smoothie, his scores of 216.5 and 219 gave him a total of 435.5, half a point up on Russ De Cordova riding CR Tuff Bandit.

In all, 61 riders marked 426.5 or better to advance to the semi-finals.

Bet Shes A Smoothie was bred by Bar RR Ranches by Smooth As A Cat out of Play A Bet, by Bet On Me 498. Play A Bet was a Limited Non-Pro finalist at the NCHA Classic Challenge with Lica Pinkston and a Limited Open finalist at the Super Stakes Classic with Craig Gilham. She earned $35,000.

Lance Cooper has been a Non-Pro finalist at the NCHA Futurity each of the last two years. Last summer, he marked a 233 on Holly Is Smooth while winning the Senior Youth Scholarship Cutting in Will Rogers Coliseum.