THE world-famous Thwaites Shire Horses emerged triumphant at another prestigious national competition….to win plaudits from none other than HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip made the official presentation when the Thwaites’ team took the top honours at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The Thwaites horses, Classic, Royal, Daniel and Star, were voted outright winners in the heavy horse class at the event staged to honour the 100th anniversary of the British Food and Beverage Industry.
Head horsekeeper Charles Beardmore said: “It was an inter-brewery contest with eight teams turning out. We were thrilled to win and to meet the Duke of Edinburgh was the icing on the cake.”
The success followed hot on the heels of Thwaites being named Champions of England at the National Shire Horse Spring Show in Peterborough - for the fourth time in six years.
After winning the four-horse Team Class, Thwaites’ stable stars went on to claim the overall Heavy Horse Turnout Championship.
Driver Richard Green was ably assisted by groom Jonathan Jones and head horsekeeper Charles at the event which saw the brewery’s specially-commissioned 200-year anniversary black-and-gold dray in use for the first time.