Monmouthshire Open Mounted Games team been crowned the new British Champions after stealing the title from 2010 winners Shropshire in a fast and furious run off.

The team who train in Llanarth under the steady hand and watchful eye of Iain Hopkins, trotted their way to Onley Equestrian Centre to compete in the British championships.

The highest qualifying teams from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland went head to head last Bank Holiday Monday to decide the top team in Britain.

Competing in a series of 10 frantic and high octane relay races, Monmouthshire were trailing just one point behind Shropshire going into the last heat.

Putting in a tenacious and inspiring performance, the young Monmouthshire team made the points difference honours even in the final race, which entailed an all or nothing run off was in order to decide the 2011 British Champions.

The team of Jack Capel, Mark Devitt, April Wilson, Ulrika Alexanderson and Danny Spencer held their nerve, steadied their resolve, and kept their heads cool to beat Shropshire and gallop away with the prestigious title of British champs 2011.

This victory is the latest in an amazing year for the Monmouthshire squad, who earlier this year won the Gothenburg Horse show and the jackpot prize fund of over £1,000 at the Glanusk Horse Trials.

This weekend the Junior team of Jordan Evans, April Wilson, Taylor Harris, Rory Capel and Todd Roberts will be competing at the Junior Home International in Sandringham, where they will be flying the Monmouthshire flag as the 2010 Junior British Champions and competing against England North, England South, Scotland, North Ireland and Wales.

Monmouthshire Mounted Games club are proud to boast amongst their ranks the new Open World champion Danny Spencer and new Under 15 World champion Taylor Harris.

The two riders, who are trained by Iain Hopkins, took the titles at the David Broome Event Centre in July this year.

Hopkins told the Chronicle, "I am proud of all my Monmouthshire team members, from the mini U12 riders to the Open team who won the British champs. it's great to have so many talented riders in a small club. I would like to thank all the riders for their hard work and dedication, and also their parents for their continued support."