MINIATURE horses proved to be the star attractions at South Wales Shire Horse Society's annual show yesterday.

The animals- that are a maximum 38 inches tall- made their first appearance at the Bailey Park, Abergavenny-based show, with around 58 competing in a number of classes.

Originally bred as pets for children in the 1600s, it was the "lovability factor", which encouraged one champion breeder to get involved with the horse.

Emma Gawler, 25, from Yeovil, Dorset, got up at 5.30am to be at the show, winning the show hack category with Tenacity and three years and over section with Dancer.

In total, she has eight miniature horses and bought Tenacity from Kentucky, USA. She said: "I used to breed cobs, but my heart ruled my head and the lovability factor attracted me to these."

The smaller horses proved a great hit with youngsters, with 34-year-old David Dando bringing his one-year-old daughter Riley to see them.

The show has been going since 1983, breaking for only two years- once for foot and mouth and a year when the park was flooded, with a dedicated committee of 20 meeting monthly and keeping it going.

With 8,000 people watching the event, society president David Parker expected it to make the break even figure of £10,000.

He said: "We are blessed with wonderful exhibitors from all over the UK which keep people coming back and the good weather helps."

Around 80 shire horses competed in 80 classes, while there was also 20 vintage cars on display.

Terry Edge from Wrexham saw his three-year-old Manor Maxine win the shire junior championship. He said: "It's a lovely show and a nice ground and I love coming. Although it's a terrible road down from north Wales to south."

While visitors came from all over Gwent, there was a couple from Holland who had a very poignant reason for being at the show.

Thecla and Gerat Hulstein honeymooned in Wales 17 years ago and were returning with their daughter.

Mrs Hulstein said: "It is a very romantic area and we went riding in the black mountains and the woods all around. The people are lovely and we're really enjoying seeing the horses."