IT'S been a fantastic weekend for four Monmouthshire riders all whom have been selected to represent their country at the forthcoming European Mounted Games Championships. 

The team selection was attended by 70 riders from across Wales and was held locally at the David Broome Event Centre. All four Monmouthshire Mounted games team riders will now travel to Tattersalls Racecourse in Ireland this July.

Two riders Ben Hopkins and Erin Beach have been selected to represent Wales in the Under 12 section. Last year 11-year-old Ben was part of the Welsh European team that travelled to Italy and was part of the Winning Home International team.

This is Erin's first Wales cap, she has had a new pony for this season, so it's a great achievement to be selected.

Georgina Williams and George Knight Eddins were also selected to represent Wales in the under 14 section. It's Georgina's first international call up and she has worked extremely hard to gain a place on the national team. 12-year-old George this year has moved up an age group to the under 14s, and will be the travelling reserve rider for 2013.

All four riders are members of Monmouthshire Pony Club, and also Monmouthshire Mounted Games Team, trained by Iain Hopkins.

Everyone involved are very excited and very proud that four riders from such a small part of Wales will be flying the flag for Monmouthshire at the European Championships in Ireland in July.

The event in Ireland is action packed with entertainment with an Irish Ceile Night an Irish field day and a big Irish Hooley, as well as a full comprehensive week of competition for the riders and their ponies.