Oh brother! James and Alex are sitting pretty

TWO brothers from the Winchester area have recently become both British and World champions.

James and Alex Knott, both veterinary surgeons at King's Worthy, were members of the England team that took the Mounted Games world title from among 20 countries taking part at Saumur in France.

It was the first time that England had won the event, with Belgium second and Wales in third place. Other competing countries included Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Norway.

Alex, who's 24, appeared for England in the 2001 World Championships. This time he was riding his black mare Musvet in a series of relay races in the three day event.

Meanwhile, 22 year old James was riding his eleven year old American ex-trotting pony Sally.

The pair were among the five-man English team.

Having achieved that, they then won the British Championship title when riding for Berkshire at Stoneleigh over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Again, they were part of a sucessful team of five.

Said James: "It's quite an achievement really I suppose.

"We get a lot of pleasure out of riding in a sport that's obviously far less well known than show jumping or dressage.

"It's more of a hobby really, but it's certainly very nice to be world champions."

James is also an accomplished footballer who played last season for Winchester City. This season, the striker has moved on to play for Moor Green in the northern division of the Nationwide Conference.