Claudia's off to Ireland

CALLED UP: Nga Tawa boarder Claudia Hurley is well qualified to mount up for New Zealand in the international tetrathlon in Ireland. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

TALENTED Nga Tawa equestrian Claudia Hurley has been selected for the New Zealand team to compete with the tetrathlon tour to Ireland in mid-July.

The Year 11 Nga Tawa boarder was nominated by her home pony club in Waitara after the call went out from the New Zealand Pony Club Association for potential competitors.
Tetrathlon is almost an unknown sport in New Zealand, but is popular overseas, including the United States and Ireland.

The sport involves teams of five, all tasked with competing in four disciplines - running, swimming, shooting and horse cross-country.
Hurley, a fierce and successful rider out of the Nga Tawa Diocesan School Equestrian Academy, certainly had the credentials to answer the NZPCA call, particularly for the horse cross-country section of the tetrathlon.

Last year Hurley really made a name for herself in equestrian circles after winning the MT section of the NZPCA championships, gaining a world ranking of six in under-15 equestrian dressage and being named Junior Sportswoman of the Year by her school.

Nga Tawa equestrian director Libby Rayner said while Hurley may not be a natural all-round athlete, she was an extraordinary horsewoman and put 110 per cent into any endeavour.
"Claudia will certainly be well qualified for the cross-country ride, although she will be on a loan horse in Ireland," Rayner said.
"Her selection has come through the NZPCA initiative to send a New Zealand team and I think her home club in Waitara must have nominated her.

"Claudia is absolutely thrilled to be going. I'm not sure she is a natural athlete, proficient in all sports, but she does put in 100 per cent in every competition she enters.
"In fact, we have the school cross-country this Friday, and I expect Claudia to be right up there at the finish."

The self-funded Ireland tour will take place in July and will include two competitions as well as many cultural activities, including the Dublin Horse Show, which will be a major attraction for Hurley.
The NZPCA will be sending one full team of girls and up to four travelling reserves as well as one boy. Both the travelling reserves and the boy will be added to other international pony club members to make up international teams and compete in the tetrathlon competition.