It goes without saying that the Cosentino twins of Omaha, Nebraska have a great deal in common. Kara and Beth both love horses, show in the western pleasure, train with Shane Dowdy, and have talented horses who are by Invitation Only. The girls are also in their last year in youth and are headed off to college in the fall. However, before they move on to the next chapter in their lives, the two eighteen year-olds are ready to win big at the AQHYA World and Congress.
The Cosentino girls are well mounted this year and enjoy competing against each other. Both young ladies are nationally qualified in the western pleasure. After the Congress last year, Beth’s father, Bill Cosentino, purchased Reserve World Champion and two-time Congress Champion, Only Yours (Betty), from Ryan Small for his daughter, Beth; while Kara has been showing the talented mare, Shez Only Coastin, better known as Faith for the past two years.
GoHorseShow asked the young competitors how they feel about showing against each other. “My dad has always tried to get Kara and I horses that are close in talent, so we always are trying to beat each other, but we are happy when either of us win or do good,” Beth says.
Kara agrees for the most part but appears to have more of a competitive nature since she is the little sister by two minutes! (Pictured below)
“There’s definitely a love-hate feeling I have towards it. I want her to win the class, of course, but I also am competing for the same spot. Beth is by far my biggest competition. She has such a great horse and is talented, but I love showing against her, too. And when I beat her it’s always fun to have bragging rights.”
GoHorseShow asked Kara what it is like having a fraternal twin sister.
“We don’t know what it isn’t like to be a twin–but it’s like having a built in friend who is family,” Kara explains. “Our favorite memory was when we were little and we were at a local show and I rode our pony while Beth got to ride a nice, broke horse. Fifty-two people were in the class and Beth got second, while, I was left trying to keep my pony trotting and his ears were pinned the whole time. We still have it on video. I would say we were both raised with a little bit of healthy competition in us from our dad, but I think I am more competitive, although if you ask her, she may say herself!”
While they may have similar taste in horses and classes, they can’t be more different outside of the horse show arena.
“We are not at all alike–our fashion styles and food likes are very different–Beth has more of a boho style and I’m very preppy–she loves Mexican food and I like Chinese; I like to plan ahead as Beth likes to do things spur of the moment.”
Beth agrees, “We really don’t have a lot in common–we are almost opposite of each other. We also don’t think we look alike at all either. I think I am more competitive, but Kara probably thinks she is,” Beth says laughing.
Beth’s biggest equine accomplishment so far is making the finals in the Western Pleasure at the 2010 Youth World, but she is looking to better that at this year’s World Show. While her sister’s biggest accomplishment was being Reserve Congress Champion in 2009 with their mare, Shockingly Sweet.
“I can’t even describe the feelings I still have towards that– it was one in the morning when my name got called. It was such an amazing, unbelievable feeling,” Kara recalls.
Kara is excited about showing her mare this year. “Faith is so forgiving and kind, I couldn’t have asked for a better horse to finish off my youth career,” Kara says. “I love the western pleasure and showing because I love the feeling of entering the pen and having the confidence of knowing you’re going to have a good ride–that you and your horse are very close.”
Beth concurs, “I’ve met so many amazing people showing horses and now I have friends all over the United States. I think the best part about showing is that every time is a new challenge, and I am excited for the opportunity to show Betty at the World and Congress this year and end my final year in youth on a good note.” (pictured right)
