THE South West Modern Pentathlon Association held a regional competition for 8 to 18-year-olds at Okehampton last weekend — the SWMPA wanted to tap into the large number of Pony Club tetrathletes in the region and to build on the interest in the sport generated by the success of Tavistock's Olympic bronze medallist Kate Allenby.

The event proved hugely successful with 70 athletes taking part from as far afield as Winchester and Monmouth and including a large contingent from Millfield School.

The first three phases, shooting, fencing and swimming, took place in Okehampton while the Grange Equestrian Centre proved a perfect venue for the ride and run phases.

Special thanks were expressed to Okehampton Gun Club, the staff at the pool, George Davy, who ran the fencing, and Tom Courtney of the Grange for their help in running the event.

Local competitors did brilliantly. Daniel Preece, of Lamerton, won the youth A boys' class with the best shoot, run and ride, and Toby Ryan came third .

Louise Body scored well in all five phases, and was the only entrant in the junior women group.

Caroline Friend came second in the youth A girls while Georgina Geikie had the best shoot and best run in the class.

In the youth B girls, Sarah Gomersall came first just eight points ahead of her sister Laura. Tamsynn Barrington came third.

Sarah had best shoot and run, with Laura achieving best fence and ride.

In youth C, Alexander Hepworth was fourth in the boys' section while Rebecca Rowe came third in the girls and had the best ride.

In youth D boys, Daniel Worrall had a great tussle with George Mills, Daniel finishing first with best shoot and George coming second with best fence and ride.

The final phase was the run and amazingly they crossed the line together!

In youth D girls, Charlotte Rowe had a great two days, winning the class with a score of more than 5,000 points — she and Daniel were the only competitors to post such brilliant scores. Charlotte also had the best swim. Scarlet Geering came second with the best ride.

Finally, Georgina Barrington won the youth E girls with the best fence and swim.

The team competition was across the age groups and was won by a team made up of Sarah and Laura Gomersall, Tamsynn Barrington and Kate Webber.

A boys' team containing Daniel Worral and George Webber came second.

Charlotte Rowe's team came fourth, and one with Rebecca, Scarlett and Lydia in came fifth.

The Millfield teams came seventh and eighth.