Alex, 16, from Crow Hill Farm, Taxal near Whaley Bridge, was chosen from hundreds of young riders, with all 250 branches of the Pony Club across Great Britain submitting their own nominations.

After a rigorous assessment process, just two riders were selected from England and Scotland with another from Wales for the five-strong team.

Mounted Games not only test a young rider's horsemanship, but also their hand to eye coordination and athleticism as relay teams are put through a series of challenges and obstacles against the clock.

A member of the Cheshire Hunt North Pony Club branch, Alex has appeared regularly at the Horse of the Year Show and is an emerging three day event rider.

He spends every spare moment riding or looking after his two horses but will not be flying out to Perth with his 13/2 thoroughbred Toffee, or his 16/2 Irish Sports horse Philip.

He said: "It's a great honour to represent my country and has fired my enthusiasm to ultimately forge a career in eventing."

The son of a small animals veterinary surgeon, Jim Shaw, who practises in the Brook Vet Centre in Great Moor, Stockport, Alex, like his sister Stephanie, a fellow international rider, who also attended the King's School, has been brought up with a love and respect for animals from an early age.

He added: "I think it helps to have confidence around your horse; it gives them confidence in turn."