WHILE the majority of us mere mortals find it tricky to master one skill in life, Zoe Gowers appears unfazed by the prospect of refining five very diverse disciplines.

The Dorchester Middle School pupil has already enjoyed a host of success in the water and on dry land but is now keen to add more strings to her bow as she eyes a future in modern pentathlon.

The 12-year-old has embarked on horse riding and shooting lessons and is soon set to try her hand at fencing.

The schedule may appear daunting but the talented youngster is enjoying every minute of it.

Taking it all in her stride, Gowers said: “I went on a modern pentathlon course last year – a training camp – and that encouraged me to do more of it.

“Also, when I was at a biathlon competition once they had the World Cup for modern pentathlon there at the same time and it was really interesting watching all the athletes.

“That inspired me and I started thinking that if I can get to the nationals in swimming and running then I can go far with the other sports.

“I got into shooting from one of my coaches suggesting it to me, I’ve had a few horse riding lessons and I’m starting to do fencing in a week or so.

“It’s all quite interesting. In swimming and running you are very much on go but with shooting you have to be very calm and still.

“I do swimming five days a week, I do four runs a week and I’m currently doing shooting once a week. I like doing lots of different sports but sometimes it can be difficult when you have schoolwork to do as well.”

Given her tender age, the Dorset Pentathletes and West Dorset Warriors member may have to wait another decade for her chance to shine on the Olympic stage.

But that doesn’t stop her dreaming of competing in the greatest show on Earth.

To add fuel to the fire, Gowers’ potential has secured her a place on the South West Talent ID Programme.

Her mother Vicky, a teacher at Thomas Hardye School, said: “They are setting it up at Millfield School and it will be run by Drew Wilsher.

“They have picked 20 people from across the South West and Zoe is delighted. The people that they identify for modern pentathlon are people who are good all-rounders because the disciplines are so different. You have to be able to turn your hand to lots of things.”

Zoe, whose father Richard is the chairman of the British Kitesurfing Association, certainly has what it takes to reach the top having already tasted glory on the world stage.

In 2009, then aged nine, she claimed bronze at the World Biathle Championships in Monaco. Zoe also represented Great Britain in the 2008 and 2010 showpieces in Cape Town and Dubai respectively.

On the topic of her daughter’s achievements thus far, Vicky added: “She has won three medals at the World and European Biathle Championships and she also qualified for the national triathlon event in Solihull, where she came ninth.

“She was really proud of that as she hasn’t been doing shooting for very long. If she can get into the top six next time she will go into the England training programme for modern pentathlon.

“It’s a lot of time running her around but you get used to it. A lot of kids stop doing sport, especially girls, as they lose interest. It’s a shame but if we had a more reasonable running track in Weymouth then it would be better for the children.”

Zoe’s next big assignment is the National Schools Biathlon, to be held at Crystal Palace on March 25.