Equestrian: Tauranga rider qualifies for inter-Pacific contest

Paige Harris with her trusty steed Tim. Photo / Supplied

Tauranga Pony Club rider Paige Harris, 17, is one of four riders who have qualified to represent New Zealand as part of the NZ Pony Club Association's Inter Pacific team to visit Canada.

Riders from around the country had to attend selection trials which included a series of show jumping rounds on their own and others horses and submit a CV that was used in an interview process. Harris was the top qualifier for the Bay of Plenty area to go through to the national selection process. The other three team members are from Taranaki, Franklin-Thames Valley and Canterbury.

While in Canada, the team will compete in a Nations Show Jumping competition on horses provided by the host country and participate in other horse-riding events. The Inter-Pacific competition is run every two years with teams from US, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and UK participating and hosting the event in rotation.

Waikato University student Harris says she is excited about being selected.

"This along with passing my A and H exams with honours in January have combined for an absolutely exceptional start to the 2015 year and I am so extremely thankful to NZPCA for being given these amazing opportunities."