Ezphia Rennock met Agricola, a service horse assigned to him, nearly two decades ago in London. During his tenure from 2000 to 2007 as part of the queen’s personal guard, Ezphia found solace in Agricola’s company amidst the loneliness of being away from home at just 17. Agricola, known for his challenging demeanor, often threw riders off, yet he and Ezphia developed a special bond that transcended typical handler-animal relationships. Ezphia recalls, “He was only young so he used to throw people off him all the time, but we gradually bonded so he accepted me, and our friendship just grew stronger from there.”
The partnership faced a pause in 2007 when Ezphia left to start his own family, thinking he would never see Agricola again. However, fate intervened a few years later when Ezphia received a call informing him that Agricola was retiring. Eager to reunite, Ezphia visited Knightsbridge Barracks to adopt him but learned he had to submit a bid. Despite the competitive process, he remained determined, writing a heartfelt letter with his bid to express the deep connection and shared history he had with Agricola. “I used to sit there with him every day and tell him that one day after retiring I would come back and adopt him so we could be together once we had completed our service,” Ezphia shared.
Ezphia’s emotional bid resonated with the decision-makers at the auction. Although his offer of £1,000 was significantly lower than the highest bid of £5,000, the handlers recognized the unique and enduring bond between him and Agricola, deciding without hesitation that the horse should go to Ezphia. Overjoyed, Ezphia recounted their reunion: “It was as if I hadn’t ever left. They called me instantly and told me to come and pick him up.” This gesture highlighted the value of their relationship over mere monetary considerations.
Today, Agricola lives comfortably at a Duchy yard, one of the queen’s properties, where Ezphia rents space. Their story, celebrated on social media and cherished in daily visits, exemplifies the profound connection possible between humans and animals. Ezphia brings his daughter along on these visits, fostering a new generational bond with Agricola. “This horse helped me through tough, lonely times away from home as a young man,” Ezphia wrote. “Today I pay him back.” Their story, marked by separation and serendipitous reunion, serves as a testament to the enduring nature of such bonds, suggesting that perhaps some connections are truly meant to last a lifetime.