AN eight-year-old Abergavenny lad has made history by becoming the youngest finalist ever to compete in the British Pairs National Championships.
Ben Hopkins and his partner Emily Norton, also aged eight, from Seven Sisters, entered the Mounted Games British Pairs National Championships at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
The Welsh pair competed against other pairings from around Great Britain and after three qualifying sessions they were placed in the top seven, and went on to compete in the final.
This is an achievement that has never been attained before, and with another five years competing at this level (under 12's) Hopkins and Norton will definitely prove a force to be reckoned with in the future.
The pair rode their two ponies Pollyanna and Racing Stripes to become the youngest ever finalists.
Welsh Team trainer Iain Hopkins, who also happens to be Ben's dad, is very pleased with the two's progress and has high hopes for them in the future - believing they will follow in the footsteps of a succession of other Monmouthshire riders who have gone on to win title after title.
Ben and Emily ride together on a weekly basis for Monmouthshire Mounted Games Team and hope one day to represent Wales.