A GREAT Britain show-jumping debut in South Africa turned into an unexpected triumph for the Mantel family from Aldermaston.

Laura Mantel, the elder of two sisters, helped the Great Britain under-14 team to the gold medal at the Children's Classique in Benoni.

The 14-year-old student at Theale Green Community School was selected to make her debut in a four-strong Great Britain squad at the International Classique just outside Johannesburg.

The other three team members were Coral Mowbray from Cumbria, Lucy Bunn from Haywards Heath, Sussex, and Daniel Neilson from North Yorkshire.

Laura has ridden since she was a toddler and, although she has competed as an England team member and has ridden at the Horse of the Year show and the Royal International at Hickstead, this was her greatest test to date.

All the competitors had to ride borrowed ponies due to restrictions on the movement of ponies into and out of Africa due to African Horse Sickness.

The GB team had a superb show with all four being placed as individuals as well as claiming the team gold medal for Great Britain in the team competition.

Laura's younger sister Beth, who is 11 and also a student at Theale Green, travelled as a supporter.

She was pleasantly suprised to be offered a chance ride as an individual.

She was even more pleased to win two classes and claim the Victor Ludorum Trophy for the leading rider in her classes.

During the stay, the Great Britain team and their families were received by the British Embassy in Pretoria and awarded their national colours.

"It was quite an occasion and one that we will proudly cherish the photographs of," said proud mother Melanie Mantel.