Members of the Met Police’s mounted branch will be showing off their skills to the public today (29 June) to celebrate 100 years of training at Imber Court.
The Surrey training ground will host performances in front of 1,200 invited guests, with police horses featuring in a musical ride as well as a demonstration of the training they undergo.
The Imber Court saddler and farrier will display their skills, while officers from the dog unit and territorial support group will also be on hand, along with Met Police special constables and cadets.
The mounted branch HQ now trains about 15 horses and 10 new riders a year. It also houses sick or injured horses from the branch.
Since 1919, it has overseen each horse and rider’s 16-week long training, after which officers move on to an operational stable.
Among its famous alumni is the grey Billy, one of 10 police horses who were ridden to control thousands of people who poured on to the pitch before the 1923 FA Cup final at the newly built Wembley Stadium.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Billy was photographed several times that day and dubbed by the press as “the white horse of Wembley”.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The mounted branch remains one of the Met’s most distinguished units, with a horse strength of 98 and 150 officers and staff,” a spokesman for the force said, adding that its main functions are high-visibility patrols to deter criminals, public order duties and serving at ceremonial occasions.
Chief Inspector Rhodes said: “The mounted branch is an essential part of the life and security of London and we are thrilled to be celebrating what has been a fantastic 100 years at our Imber Court headquarters.
“Our horses and mounted officers carry out outstanding work and Imber Court plays an absolutely integral part in training and creating one of the Met’s most profound units.
“We are incredibly proud to be showcasing some of the best of the mounted branch at the ceremony today and we look forward to spending another 100 years at this fantastic training ground.
“The work of the staff at Imber Court is truly invaluable and I am proud to lead such a professional and talented unit, which plays such a huge part in keeping our city safe.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
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
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
