Australian police hunt for drunk rider and his flower stealing horse

Australian police were searching for an allegedly drunken rider last weekend after he refused to pay for flowers eaten by his horse.

The horse began munching on AUS$40 worth of flowers just after 9pm on Sunday night (14 September) after he was left outside a service station in McGraths Hill, New South Wales while his rider went shopping.

The service station owner confronted the rider, who appeared drunk, but he refused to pay — and after a short scuffle, rode off.

Australia’s Daily Telegraph reported that the man, nicknamed ‘Cowboy’, was riding his horse ‘Donkey’ home from the pub because he had lost his licence for drink driving.

Police inquires into the man’s identity are continuing.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now