Schoolgirl among world's best

HIGH RANKING: Claudia Hurley buddies up with one of the Nga Tawa ponies after news broke of her No6 world dressage ranking. PHOTO/LIBBY RAYNER CLAUDIA-HURLEY

THE Nga Tawa Diocesan School sports department is proving a breeding ground for world-class athletes and one of its latest has just been ranked sixth best on the planet in her age group.

Claudia Hurley, 14, has the ranking in the 15-and-under division of equestrian dressage.

A boarder at the Marton-based girls' college, Hurley grew up around horses on the family's Patea dairy farm and has been riding since she was 4.

Nga Tawa director of equestrian Libby Rayner said while the school had produced a host of top-level achievements in the sport over several seasons, Hurley's ranking was up with the best.

"Claudia's achievement was absolutely wonderful and, given the level of competition, it was nothing short of outstanding. She has a good little team of ponies around her at the moment and is extremely proficient in other disciplines - not just dressage," Rayner said yesterday. "FEI (Federation of Equestrian International) judges travel the world at the same time accessing riders and Claudia gained her ranking after competition in Taupo at the end of November."

Hurley has her mind set on an international career in her beloved sport.

"I was really pleased with the ranking. I have ridden since I was 4 and I would love to make a career out of it," Hurley said yesterday. "I have some really nice ponies at home and I've been doing quite well."

Quite well is perhaps an understatement.

This year, Hurley won the Dressage New Zealand Dunstan Bonanza Series Level 1 title on a different pony to the one she rode during her ranking assessment in Taupo.

"I was Level 1 on that pony, but I'm Level 3 now with other horses.

"I love dressage, but I also love showjumping."

Apart from the Nga Tawa equestrian successes this season, the school has also produced world-class rowers Jackie Gowler and Georgia Nugent-O'Leary.

The pair were named Junior Team of the Year at this season's Wanganui Sports Awards on the strength of their national club and national secondary school titles and their performances during the junior world championships this year.