MEMBERS of the Devon and Somerset Pony Club are quite literally riding high after winning the prestigious Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games at the national Horse of the Year Show held in Birmingham.

Team members Scarlett Cooksley, Rory Capel, Zoey Cape, Tom McCanlis, Matthew Seabourne and reserve Anna Weatherlake lifted the trophy for the first time for the club.

It was a nail-biter of a finish, with Devon and Somerset winning by just one point over second place Oakley Hunt (West).

It was the second time the club had made it through to the finals, having finished third in 2009.

It was also the fist time a team from the area had won the cup since Taunton Vale back in the 1960s.

Team trainer Bella Capel said: "We are in utter shock! It's been a fantastic week and all of the teams have ridden so well, it was a real battle right until the end."

Devon and Somerset triumphed with 104 points to Oakley Hunt (West)'s 103.

Six pony club teams took part, including the Badsworth Hunt, Berwyn and Dee, Orkney and Rockwood Harriers.

All the teams had to qualify for their places at the Horse of the Year Show by taking part in regional competitions during the summer.

The lucky six then battled it out in four days of competition for a chance to compete for the ultimate pony club prize, the coveted NFU Countryside Prince Philip Cup.

The Devon and Somerset started the week with a win, storming home in the warm-up competition.

The leader board changed throughout the final and, with one race to go, the team were lying second to Oakley and had to win the last race - the big sack.

While the Devon and Somerset crossed the finishing line first, they had to wait to see if another team could beat Oakley to hand them the overall championship title.

"Reality sunk in as the Sky TV cameras zoomed on to the children's faces and the crowds started cheering - we had won by one point," Bella said.

Of the riders, four were from the West Somerset Community College - Rory, 14, of Wootton Courtenay, Scarlett, 15, of Selworthy, Tom, 15, of Bossington and Zoey, 13, of Porlock Weir.

The team was completed by Wellington School pupil Anna Weatherlake, 15, of Treborough and Kings of Wessex pupil Matt, 14, of Mark.

Bella was also full of praise for the riders' ponies - Danny, Dimples, Goldie, Sonic, Prince and Summer - who together had a combined aged of 101!

The concept for the competition was first put forward by the Duke of Edinburgh back in the 1950s when he suggested cavalry contests could be adapted for younger riders and ponies.

The first mounted games for the cup were held in 1957 and today's event is still very much a team competition with challenges ridden by all five members of the teams.