Dyfed Shire Horse Farm has bid a fond farewell to Willa Rose as she embarks on a new venture in London, as a trainee Drum Horse for the Household Cavalry.

Just one day after her eighth birthday, Willa Rose departed the farm, making the journey from Eglwyswrw, near Cardigan to London to join her uncle Celt (Major Mercury) and her old farm friend Ed.

Sharing the news on Facebook the day before Willa Rose’s departure, staff at the farm said: “We are confident that her wonderful, calm nature and willingness to do anything asked of her will allow her in the future to pass out on parade as the first ever female Drum Horse in Household Cavalry history!

“Tomorrow will be a day of mixed emotions for us as a family as we say goodbye to our perfect ‘Gentle Giant’ but we are proud that one of our original Dyfed bloodline, through her in its fourth generation, is going to be a trend-setter for women everywhere!"