Deputy Lieutenant names police horse Sandford

Posted on 10 May 2023, at 09:57 in Forcewide News

Chestnut horse and rider being presented with a name plaque — Police horse Sandford and his officer PC Rowan Webber is presented with a plaque by Deputy Lieutenant Martin Thatcher.

An Avon and Somerset Police horse has been officially named Sandford by Deputy Lieutenant Martin Thatcher.

The naming took place at a recent community event for residents of Sandford and Winscombe to celebrate the Coronation on Saturday 6 May.

He joined the Mounted Section for his initial training back at the start of 2022, after previously eventing with his former owner. Staff say he has taken to the role extremely well, despite having rather a cheeky personality.

Side view of a horses head infront of the stables at the mounted section

His rider and trainer PC Rowan Webber said:

“Sandford is a small horse with a huge personality. He has taken to his role as a police horse so well, and I have enjoyed every second of working with him. He is a well-loved member of the team, and has brought us plenty of laughter. I am very proud of the horse he is today and am delighted that he has received his official name.”

We have traditionally named our horses after places or people within the force area, as well as having two horses, PH Windsor and PH Jubilee, named by Her Majesty the Queen during previous visits to Somerset. Sandford is a village between Churchill and Banwell in North Somerset, famous for being home to one of the region’s main cider producers.

plaque that reads "Presented to Sandford, 8th May 2023. Coronation of King Charles III. From the village of Sandford

You can follow Sandford’s progress, and that of his four legged colleagues over on Twitter ASPoliceHorses (@ASPoliceHorses) / Twitter