A ONCE-in-a-lifetime triumph at the country's most prestigious horse-breeders' show is being celebrated by a Corse Lawn family.

Holltess, a three-year-old gelding belonging to the Roper-Caldbecks, of Corse Hill Farm, won the title of Supreme Champion at last week's Royal Show in Warwickshire.

He was judged the best horse at the show, fighting off competition from heavy horses and ponies after winning his own category of light horse.

It is the first time the Roper-Caldbeck family has won the title in the 15 years they have been exhibiting at the show.

Holltess is the product of many years breeding at the farm, where both his parents still live.

His full name is Holltess Highfalutin - the first from Holly and Tessa, the family's two daughters, and the second "because we said 'I suppose he has to have some kind of high-faluting name'," said owner Auriol Roper-Caldbeck.

The family has been showing horses for 50 years and has enjoyed past successes at the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show.

However, Mrs Roper-Caldbeck said this award, which carried a £1,000 prize, ranks higher than anything else they have won. "It's something one would do probably only do once in a lifetime," she said.

She said the show had been "quite exhausting but very exciting", as she and husband Mark had to get out of bed at 2am on the first day to get down to the show and set everything up. Holltess had to be washed, plaited and exercised before winning his category on the first day, and again on the second day for the overall championship.

However, Mrs Roper-Caldbeck said the triumph made all the hard work worthwhile.