Neate returned most recently from a Glencoe sports day, held last weekend, bringing home a second championship to complement her recent achievement winning the state title in Queensland in the first week of October school holidays.

Competition for the coveted State Titles was fierce, but Claudia and her horse Spinett turned in an excellent display of speed and skill over the eight individual sporting events to be named Queensland State Sporting Champion 13-14 years.

Neate was a member of a small team of 18 NSW riders competing against over 200 Queensland riders in five age divisions.

“There were quite a few riders there, but you kind of get to know all of them because I go every year,” she said.

The young contender returned narrow times to qualify for the state event and scored excellently throughout the week-long competition to win the overall point score.

She capped a red letter competition posting the fastest barrel race time along with a personal best of 10.5 seconds in the bending race and a 9.87 second diamond flag.

Claudia was also included as a member of the winning State team, along with regional competitor Clifton Davis and fellow Zone 13 members Chloe Butler from Tenterfield and Nick Colwell from Walcha. 

It was the first time in 16 years that NSW has been able to defeat Queensland in their home state in the sporting championship.

Neate was awarded a trophy blanket and said she is looking forward to next year’s competition, keen to round out two consecutive state wins.