GWENT'S disabled riders received a royal visit at their fun day.

HRH the Princess Royal attended the Gwent County Fun Day at the Coleg Gwent Usk campus yesterday, arriving by helicopter just before 11am.

The day was organised by the South Wales branch of the Riding for the Disabled charity (RDA), and was an invitation-only event for disabled riders, their families and instructors.

Eight different RDA groups took part in the day and members from Abergavenny and district, Catsash, Clytha, Llangynidyr and Trellech were among those involved.

The princess watched the gymkhana and competitions including the Handy Pony competition and the Stable Management competition. She met riding instructors and was introduced to some of the event's sponsors.

Rosettes were presented by the princess to about 40 of the riders. She also presented a 25-year long service award to Trudy Newbury, long service awards to two of the organisation's horses, Willow and Kim, and awarded a prize to Becky Hope, who won last year's Christmas Card competition.

Eleven-year-old Emily Brann presented the princess with a posy.

As the royal visitor left, three cheers were called from the crowd.