Two sisters from Herefordshire have been selected to ride for Wales at the International Mounted Games Association World Team Championships in Melbourne, Australia 8th to 15th October. Erin (22) and Sophie (19) Beach were both born in Wales and lived there until 2017 before moving to Herefordshire. Having joined the Pony Club at four years of age, they initially participated in all equestrian disciplines, but it was soon obvious that they had a talent and a passion for mounted games. Both girls regularly competed in the annual National Pony Club Championships and in 2015 Erin was part of the winning Prince Philip Cup team at the Horse of the Year Show with Monmouthshire Pony Club, followed by Sophie whose North Hereford Pony Club team qualified for Horse of the Year Show for the first time in their history in 2017. They have competed internationally though the Mounted Games Association as part of a team and individually, Erin twice winning the European Championships with Wales (Ireland 2013, France 2015). As part of different teams, they have both won the British Championships and have been finalists in World Pairs, British Pairs and World Individuals. Erin has also represented the UK at Gothenburg International Horse Show.

Today Erin runs her own business at Amberley Court Equestrian,Heredord, producing pony club and mounted games ponies. She also trains the junior North Hereford mounted games team and hopes to follow in the footsteps of the senior team who have again qualified for the Prince Philp Cup competition at Horse of the Year Show after winning it last year.

The International Mounted Games Association World Team Championships are held each year in a different member country. At the first World Championships in 1985 only four teams participated, by 2007 this had grown to 18 and it continues to rise.

The girls are thrilled to have been selected but as the trip to Australia is entirely self-funded, they need to raise £5000 each for their flights, kit, pony hire, etc. There is a Just Giving page to raise awareness and get support for the sport and I know they would be hugely grateful for any offers of sponsorship or donations to help their cause.