A HAT trick of equine awards has been won by a horse breeding family from Cotebrook.

Three shire horses owned by the King family, including husband and wife team Alistair and Janet King, who run Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, and Alistair's son Matthew, from ShiresandClyesdales.com, were crowned as winners in this year's prestigious National Championships.

Awards were won by 24-year-old Moorfield Edward, who won the prestigious Progeny Cup for the ninth time and was named Champion Stock Stallion.

The Progeny Cup is awarded to recognise how many of Moorfield Edward's sons and daughters have also gone on to be champions and win prizes.

Edward's daughter, two-year-old Cotebrook Loch Anna, was crowned Junior National Champion Femail and overall National Champion Female.

Edward's son Sparkland Hercules, owned by Matthew King, also took the title of National Champion Gelding.

Janet said: "People come from all over Europe to show their horses at the National Championships, so this result makes us very proud of our Cotebrook family.

"Alistair and Matthew worked incredibly hard in preparation for the show and so to receive this recognition means a lot."

Alistair added: "For Edward to have sired both the national female and national gelding champion was very emotional.

"It was especially nice to see my son Matthew lead our beautiful Cotebrook Loch Anna into the show ring – and having won the national championship female title, she really is our Miss World."

The National Championships were held at Bingley Hall, Stafford Showground, from March 18 to 20.