“It’s a short time to work out your partnership with the horse,” she said.
Loffler, a Gisborne rider working in Wairoa as a primary school teacher, is not fazed, however.
“I’m used to riding a variety of horses, especially in competition.”
The tour was set up to offer amateur riders the chance to experience the excitement, adrenaline and professionalism of competing internationally.
“It gives us a taste of what the professional riders have,” Loffler said.
“It’s very exciting. I’ve not travelled that far before.”
She is set to compete alongside New Zealanders Kelly Smith and Paxton Condor in the amateur ranks, as well as Dean Nicholls in the masters category.
New Zealand will compete against 19 other countries.
Loffler’s most recent competition was the Horse of the Year event in Hastings in March.
Competing in the amateur class, her 6-year-old horse Parafino knocked down just the one rail.
Though she expects her Mexican experience to be fun, Loffler isn’t taking it lightly.
“I’m going over there to do well.”
Condor was the New Zealand series final winner in the 2018-2019 season, as well as runner-up in the New Zealand Global Amateur Tour event.
Smith won the New Zealand amateur title at the Takapoto Show in February.
The pair gained automatic selection for the Mexican round from their performances.
Loffler didn’t compete in the New Zealand round but applied and was accepted for the final New Zealand slot in the Mexican round.
