OWNERS of a Fenland pet store were stunned when their horse - first entered into a show for fun two years ago - was crowned the country’s best of breed.

Alan and Cindy Baldry entered King Arthur into the show at Parson Drove in 2009 for fun, hoping to walk away with a rosette for best mane and tail - instead he won best in show.

King Arthur has now been crowned supreme Traditional Gypsy Cob at the Traditional of the Year show - the equivalent of a dog winning Best of Breed at Crufts.

Mrs Baldry said: “It was a fantastic day but we felt like small fish in a big pond because there were so many top producers at the show.

“We have won several competitions with Arthur before but this is by far the biggest yet and we hope it’s just the start of things to come.”

King Arthur, handled in the ring by Charlotte Hobday, qualified for the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association’s show in the spring.

At the show, held in Bedfordshire on September 25, he won Stallion of the Year and was then crowned senior champion before winning the big prize.

Mr and Mrs Baldry, owners of Mill Lane Pet Centre off Leverington Common, bought 12-year-old King Arthur four years ago from a man in Chelmsford.

Mrs Baldry said: “He wasn’t the horse we went there to buy, but we saw him there and persuaded the owner to part with him.

“We keep in touch with the previous owner and he was thrilled when we told him about the success.”

Mrs Baldry said the next target is a strong performance at next year’s Horse of the Year Show - King Arthur is set to be registered with event organisers the Coloured Horse And Pony Society (CHAPS) next month.