A RARE horse which sired a filly which is owned by Her Majesty the Queen led the procession at St Briavels Carnival.

Chalderton Ixion, a Cleveland Bay, was ridden by Cecilia Lindsay.

Numbers of the breed are still critically low,but there are hopes for a bright future.

The 13-year-old Bay sired Hampton Court Margin, which was the winning youngster at the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show last month.

Cecilia and members of the Cleveland Bay Society – who were in a truck in the procession – won the prize for the best team effort.

Cecilia, who is based in St Briavels, said: “We are passionate about Cleveland Bays.”

Also celebrating was Jo George, who was on board St Briavels School’s Early Years float.

She has been on a float at the carnival every summer for the last 20 years.

She said: “Every year we include the children’s work and (the theme of) Teddy Bears’ picnic was their choice.”

They were runners-up to the junior section of St Briavels School with their Carnival of Animals float and third were the school’s Keystage One pupils with Amazing Asia.

The judges said it was a difficult decision because the attention to detail on each of the three floats was “amazing”.

There were also a number of walking entries with Alfie and Freddie as David Attenborough and furry friend awarded the prize for the best duo.

Bobby Goodyear was also awarded a first prize as the ‘Cat in the Hat’.

The ladies of St Briavels WI were awarded the Parry Cup as the Forest Flappers.

Also among the winners was Izzy Thompson, whose marine scientist costume won her the most environmentally- friendly entry award.

Members of the Forest of Dean Historic Vehicle Club brought along their beautiful old cars – forgoing the delights of a regional classic car show to be there.

The floats and walking entries were judged near the village Tump before the procession started.

But in a break with tradition, the winners were not revealed until the parade reached the playing fields, where there were a range of stalls and rides.