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."