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AUSTRALIA’S tallest horse passed away on Friday.
Archie died about 100 metres from where he was born 27 years earlier at his home, Cedars Shire Horse Stud in Kangaroo Valley.
He was surrounded by returned soldiers and his trainer Scott Brodie who was instrumental in getting Archie into the Mounted Police Academy as their drum horse.
Archie (Cedars Archibold) was Australia’s first pure bred Shire since the early 1900s.
His birth made the TV news as an important event as it was a new beginning for the Shire breed in Australia.
During his working life, Archie was based at the Mounted Police Academy at Redfern.
As well as being their drum horse he did street patrols, although a sergeant said he caused too many traffic jams as everyone wanted to pat him when he crossed the road.
He appeared on several children’s television programs as well as Burke’s Backyard, The Great Outdoors, Getaway, Totally Wild with Sammy and Horse Tales on the Disney Channel.
Archie led numerous parades, the opening of the Kangaroo Valley Bridge, St Joseph’s Spring Fair for seven year and the Mount Kembla Festival.
As Australia’s tallest horse until his nephew outgrew him, Archie stood at 19 hands and was put on display at the Royal Easter Show for 10 days. A
He won more than 50 first place ribbons and he was in the first Shire led and ridden classes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“Archie will live forever in our hearts and all the hearts of everyone he touched during his long, lucky and very blessed life,” said his owner Helene Scarf.