‘We’ll miss her’: Police bid farewell to long-serving equine recruit
One of the City of London Police force’s longest-serving and “beloved” equine recruits is heading for pastures new after a distinguished career of service.
Ariel, otherwise known as “Roxy” was due to leave her mounted section colleagues today (21 September) for a new home in Cornwall.
The force’s stable manager Eloise Mayhead said she will miss the Irish draught mare, who has served the City of London Police since was four, 13 years ago.
“She’s done everything,” Eloise told H&H.
“She’s done football matches, about 10 Lord Mayor’s Shows, the Olympics, the student riots; she’s one of our mainstays.
“She’s sound, as she has been all her time here, and we’ll all miss her but it’s time to retire her and nice we can do it now, and she can have an active life with someone else; we’re very pleased about that.”
Eloise said that as stable manager, it is up to her, and her team, to decide when horses retire from the force.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“You might notice something different about a horse, or just think ‘this one’s done enough’,” she said.
“It’s always really nice to retire them to go on to someone else, sometimes for years afterwards.”
Eloise described Roxy as “very personable, calm and lady-like”.
“She’s slightly Hyacinth Bucket!” she added.
“Some forces won’t have mares but if the horse does the job, I don’t mind. A good mare is a good mare and there’s no getting away from that.
“She’s very calm and sensible out in the community and very forward when you ride her at home. She loves jumping, although she doesn’t leave many of them up!
“It’s like a bitter pill [to see her go] but it’s also quite a celebration.
“It’s really good to know she’s going to go and enjoy her retirement, which is what we all want.”
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.