27/04/2026
Thank you for all the love and positive comments about Lofty, the young Irish Sports horse gifted to us by SAPOL.
Lofty arrived two weeks ago and has taken to his new home in his stride! In fact, when we walked around his paddock to familiarise him he was greeted by our six baby goats who were as curious as he was. Lofty stopped and looked for a moment before proceeding, no bother or silly behaviour. We then walked around the paddock along the neighbours fence line when two kangaroos bounced out to greet us! No bother, Lofty simply stopped and had a good look before proceeding. Such a good boy!
Some background information on Lofty - Lofty had a paddock accident in 2022 as a three-year-old, and injured his face and now has a dent where some bone was removed. He was cleared for ridden work in 2023 after an extended recovery; however it was later determined that continuing his ridden training was not in his best interests as he does not possess the temperament suited to police duties. It was at this point that SAPOL made the decision to “gift” Lofty to an experienced and approved home.
Ironically, on the eve of the first anniversary of the passing of my very special horse, Utah, whom we tragically lost in February 2025 from colic, did I see the advertisement about Lofty! (Utah was an Irish Sports Horse sold by SAPOL in 2008).
Utah was such an important part of my life for the past 17 years and I loved him dearly. He became our Equestrian Farm Stay mascot, with a presence that was hard to ignore – 18 hands tall and as impressive as Gandalf’s horse “Shadowfax” – such a beautiful horse who was admired by so many. RIP Utah. When reading the advertisement, I thought "another big grey – could it be possible?
So, what is it about a grey horse! From an early age, I have always loved them. My first pony, Misty was a lovely little grey, followed by my first horse, Penola Ebbony who was a steel grey and then there was Penola Zechariah – a big lanky grey that Mum purchased from the Rymill family in the early 1980’s and who I took to Roseworthy Agricultural College. “Zech” became my best friend, we travelled across the country together and competed in eventing and show jumping in Victoria, NSW and SA. I had the pleasure of Zech’s company for 26 years until he passed in early 2007. Then came Utah in 2008, and now we have Lofty in 2026. How fortunate we are to have the opportunity to care and love not one, but two ex-Police horses as luck would have it!
Lofty is a lovely boy who is settling in well to his new home at Uleybury. He has a few “tricks” and our Farm Stay guests love the fact that he smiles for carrots!
A big thankyou to the team at SAPOL Mounted Operations and in particular, Brevet Sergeant Tanya-Jane Bowen for all of the work and care put into Lofty, and Senior Sergeant Kelly-Anne Taylor and Brevet Sergeant Jennifer Thompson for transporting Lofty to our property on April 14th.
Lofty’s new best friends are Storm, Mu**hi and Bert. He is fascinated by our border collies, Maisie and Matilda and of course, the six miniature goats; Billi, Benji, Froggi, Chocki, Jazzi and Rabbi.
There is bound to be plenty of shenanigans in future!
