A TINY horse with a big job ahead of him has enjoyed a trip to London for an awards ceremony where he was the mane attraction.

Digby the American miniature horse lives at Northallerton Equestrian Centre where he is in training to be the UK's first guide horse – but he left the countryside behind for the glitz and glamour of the capital for the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons, where he was nominated in the Hero Pet category.

His trainer and groom, Kate Masteic, 23, said Digby was impeccably behaved during his stay at Ross Nye Stables in Bathurst Mews, central London, where he had free bed and breakfast ahead of his big day The Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall for the ceremony on October 15.

Ms Masteic said: “It was a really good journey down to London from Northallerton. Digby slept and ate the whole way. He was no bother – an absolute star.

“When we arrived and led him to the stables, he was really happy straight away with all of the other horses.

He had a good night’s sleep and watched the other horses get ready this morning before he got ready himself.”

Digby was groomed and ‘dressed’ in a bow tie and cuffs, made especially for the occasion.

Connie Harper, 23, from Ross Nye Stables said: “Digby was just so adorable. He stopped quite a lot of us working this morning just by being here.

“This is the first horse or pony, and possibly the first in central London, that I’ve had to book in for bed and breakfast.”

Upon arrival at The Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons at The Army and Navy Club, where he was nominated for the Hero Pet award, Digby navigated the stairs into the venue with ease following months of training from Katy Smith, his main trainer and owner.

The awards ceremony was held on the first floor of the venue which didn’t prove to be a problem for Digby as he took the lift.

Once inside, Digby was happy to join the awards luncheon, lying down in a basket of hay and dining on his own bowl of carrots that had been prepared especially for him.

And although Digby didn’t scoop the Hero Pet award at the ceremony, which was presented by Simon Weston CBE, his achievements so far were instead recognised through a specially created Judges’ Award.

Citing the unique nature of Digby as the UK’s first guide horse and being trained in a whole new set of challenges never before undertaken by an equine in this country, the judges were unanimous that Digby should be recognised and the little-handed horse was given a well-deserved big hand from the audience.

Digby is currently being trained at his Northallerton stables by Katy Smith for visually impaired owner-to-be, journalist Mohammed Salim Patel. Both were unable to attend the ceremony today due to being in the US, experiencing the use of guide horses, which have been in existence there for several years.

Over the next few years, Digby will be at the forefront of the hopeful change in legislation which will allow guide ponies to enter restaurants, and shopping centres and travel on public transport. Digby’s day out in London marked the first of many new challenges ahead of him as a guide horse.