MONMOUTHSHIRE rider Ben Hopkins and his pony Merlin have gained yet more success in the mounted games world.

Last weekend Ben and his pairs partner George Hobbs from Taunton travelled to Uttoxeter Racecourse to contest the British Pairs title.

Ben who is September last year won the World Pairs title with former pair George Knight Eddins was keen to win the British title with his new partner.

The boys competed all weekend against other pairings from around the UK and Ireland. Competing in three qualifying session of eight relay games per session the boys came out on top and qualified for the final in top position.  

The competition was fierce and very close, after eight final games Ben and George were on equal points with fellow Monmouthshire team mates Emily Norton and Callum Cooke, but they managed to hold their nerve in the crucial final game and take the prestigious title.

Ben Hopkins who is head boy in Raglan Primary School still has another year in the Under 12s section and has a busy season ahead of him. Next month he travels to Ireland with the Welsh National Squad to compete at the European Championships, from there he travels back to the UK to compete in the British Individuals before travelling straight to Denmark to compete in the World Individuals.