A ST Dogmaels family took top spoils as they scooped the supreme championship trophy at Cardigan’s Barley Saturday celebrations.

Ten-year-old Welsh pony Bryngwennol Royal Tribune – known as Prince – led the Parade of Stallions through the town centre as large crowds lined the streets.

It was a proud moment for handler Sarah Russell and mum and dad Peter and Julie, who had bred Prince at their Penwaun Farm at St Dogmaels, as they lifted the Valiant Perpetual Cup.

“It is our first championship here and we are absolutely over the moon,” said Julie, a familiar face to many in her job at Priory Vets in the town.

“He is home-bred and to win at Cardigan show is unbelievable. We were not expecting it at all and we never nearly came because of the overnight storm. I’m so glad we did.”

Storm Hannah, packing 70mph winds and heavy overnight rain, had threatened to put a big dampener on the annual showcase event in the Cardigan calendar.

But while some people might have been put off by the weather forecast, many still made their way to town and those who did were rewarded for the most part with blue skies and sunshine – albeit a little chilly and blustery.

“It’s a long time since a section B Welsh pony won supreme championship but he’s been successful at several shows and we knew even as a yearling that we had a star in the making. To have bred him ourselves is the icing on the cake,” said Julie.

“It was such a proud moment to lead the parade,” added daughter Julie, who works at the town’s B&M store. “He is such a gentleman and I could not be happier.”