THE Monmouthshire Branch of The Pony Club has won the Virbac 3D Worming Prince Philip Cup after five nail-biting days of competition at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The Monmouthshire team, consisting of Ben Hopkins (13), Erin Beach (14), Emma Lockyer (14), Emily Adams Norton (13), George Knight Eddins (14) and Sam Hopkins (9), were first timers to HOYS and finished on 118 points to the clinch victory, just one point ahead of runners up Romney Marsh.

Four other teams, including the Badsworth Hunt, Strathearn, Lanark and Upperward and East Cheshire, also qualified to compete at HOYS after battling it out at the area competitions.

The final on Sunday evening at HOYS captivated the crowds, with the teams giving it their all to thrill spectators with some very close finishes. Classic games such as the Stepping Stone race tested the members’ control and athleticism, but the loudest cheers were for the novelty games such as the ‘3D Worming’ race where one team member is dressed as a worm and raced over the line in a wheelbarrow.

Iain Hopkins, trainer for the Monmouthshire team, was delighted with the win. He said: “The team stuck at it all through the week and the first time we were in front was the second from last game so the win feels absolutely superb.”

Iain, who rode himself at HOYS in 1986 and whose sons were part of the team, went on to thank the team members’ parents. When asked about the team’s plans for the future Iain said: “We’ll have a nice rest first, and come back next year!”

The Pony Club Mounted Games is a competition requiring courage, determination and all round riding ability. The concept of the competition was first introduced by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT, who suggested that cavalry competitions could be adapted for young riders on ponies in an entertaining and visually engaging format.

The first competitions were held in 1957 and the winner received the coveted Prince Philip Challenge Trophy.

Photos courtesy of Kit Houghton.