HERE'S a real rags to riches story – or should that be nags to riches?Four years after being picked up at a gypsy horse sale, Tinker Tim had a starring role in a recent golden jubilee event in which he performed for the Queen.

HERE'S a real rags to riches story – or should that be nags to riches?

Four years after being picked up at a gypsy horse sale, Tinker Tim had a starring role in a recent golden jubilee event in which he performed for the Queen.

Tim was one of 1,000 hand picked horses who took part in All The Queen's Horses earlier this month, an event which was set in a purpose built arena in the shadows of Windsor Castle.

Owner Julia Gosling, who stables the horse at Trimley St Mary said: "It was a unique opportunity for a very ordinary horse to take part in an extraordinary show.

"For many years, coloured horses have been looked down on as common horses. To be requested to go to such a prestigious event to show off the good temperament and versatility of these lovely horses was a huge honour – something that I will never forget and an event people will talk about for years to come.

"My boyfriend's father originally spotted Tim when he was 16 months old at a gypsy horse sale in Norfolk. He had not been handled much by humans nor ever set foot in a stable. It took over a week of patient handling before he was confident enough to have his auction lot number removed from his bottom.

Julia, a veterinary nurse from Felixstowe decided to enter him into a horse show just months after buying him and he scooped first prize. He qualified for the British Skewbald and Piebald World Championship of Colour in which he won two of his sections.

At the recent jubilee show, Tim rubbed shoulders with stars of the equestrian world, the Household Cavalry, mounted police, stunt horses and some of the Queen's own bred horses.

Julia said the tribute ended with the gold stagecoach pulled by eight grey horses.

"Tinker Tim stood like a rock while the coach passed behind him and a hug image of Tim was projected onto the massive screens behind us for all the crowd to see. It was a very proud moment for us and shows that every horse can have his day given the opportunity and lots of love and care."

n The BBC will be screening the show this Sunday