LLANGYNIDR-based Jack Stephens, a member of Brecon & Talybont Pony Club, has been selected to represent the UK in a Tetrathlon International Exchange Competition in July.

He is one of a team of four boys from across the UK who will be travelling to the United States to compete in North and South Carolina.

The final competition will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre where the World Equestrian Games will be held later in the summer.

The International Exchange competition takes place every two years and this year the USA have invited one team of four boys and one team of four girls from the UK and participating countries.

Invitations to apply for selection were sent to the top 15 boys on the 2017 open boys ranking list. Applicants sent in written applications and references last autumn having also trained to pass a riding and theory test last summer.

Jack successfully completed the vigorous assessment process which began in 2017.

This was no mean feat as after proving his athletic capability through a mock replication of the competition in America he then had to impress an interview panel of assessors with his ambassadorial and team skills.

Jack is an accomplished tetrathlete and in the last four years has been three times winner at the Pony Club UK Championships and runner up in 2017.

He said: “I am delighted to have been selected and am really looking forward to travelling to America for two weeks with the team for a mixture competitions and sight-seeing. It’s a chance of a lifetime.”

Tetrathlon comprises swimming for four minutes, air pistol shooting at a turning target, a 3,000 metre cross country run and cross country riding over a variety of 20 jumps up to 1.10 metres.

The competition in the States will vary from the UK and be similar to Modern Pentathlon, with a 200 metre optimum time swim, pentathlon style shooting targets, showjumping unknown horses, but the cross country run will stay at 3,000 metres. Competitors will compete both as a team and individually.

Jack is fundraising for his trip, anyone wishing to make a donation can contact the secretary, Kate Gedge at Brecon & Talybont Pony Club http://branches.pcuk.org/brecon/.