THE MONMOUTHSHIRE Mounted Games Team have trotted their way to the British Team Title after putting in a show stopping performance at the 2012 British Championships.

Held at the Newark and Nottingham Showground last weekend, the prestigious event saw the horse riding champs made up of riders from around Monmouthshire and South East Wales take on six teams from around Great Britain to find out who would be crowned the 2012 Champions.

Following four qualifying sessions, the Monmouthshire riders qualified for the final along with teams from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Dorset, and Shropshire.

The young Monmouthshire team have been together since they were all six years old and have trained and travelled to competitions together for the last four years. To win this title was a dream come true.

Raglan VC primary school pupil Ben Hopkins rides for the Monmouthshire team and is one of the youngest riders to ever win this title. At the age of ten Ben still has two years in this age group.

Ben trains with his pony Merlin under the steady eye of his father Iain Hopkins who also trains the Welsh team and the Monmouthshire pony club.

The children are all over the moon with this amazing win. To be crowned British Champions is a massive achievement.

Team trainer Iain was also very successful with the Monmouthshire Junior and Open teams who both finished Reserve British Champions.

For Monmouthshire as a county, to have a top two placement in every age group available, is something well worth shouting about.