The Full Story
About
Our Roots
First opened in 1978, the centre became the top Shire Horse Centre in the country just 7 years later in 1985, not long after expansion to accommodate more horses & attractions.
In 1978, the Guinness Book Record for the World's Tallest Living Horse was awarded to the resident Boringdon Black King standing at a whopping 19.2" hands.
Attracting around 300,000 visitors a year at its peak, the centre was one of the leading attractions in the Southwest.
The Richards family felt privelidged in the late 90’s to have been a part of the National Shire Horse Centre with the Flower family who had created such a beautiful centre for all to visit and be part of.
John Richards whose business partner and best friend was Mike Hockin had a vision to bring flambards to Plymouth..but that vision unfortunately was short lived.
In 2012 when John was offered the chance to buy the centre back the devastation was unbelievable, every single item had been sold at auction, the place was overgrown (return of the triffids springs to mind) and vandalism had started, graffiti, copper pipes stolen, splatted paint balls everywhere! But Johns vision still remained strong along with his passion for the place.
The first few years was purely tidying up as best as we could, during that process we re-introduced Bob, the first Shire Horse to return to the centre and what great start he was! Bob was a gentle giant who was broken by one of the best Mr Robert Eddie, John always hoped that Robert would return to work with Bob one day at the centre, unfortunately all 3 are now passed away.
When things started to change at the centre and as it was returning to a more tidied state, John was then met with a lot of opposition from locals, spending a couple of years holding public consultations to see if the centre could become something to suit all. Lots of ideas were brought to table such as a golf club, a holiday centre, even housing (which would have been a shame), but no matter what angle was ventured down, the finale was that he just couldn’t keep everyone happy, so the decision was made to plough on with opening the centre.
More animals introduced, more training carried out and more tidieing to comply with current health and safety and then the centre was ready to start opening on a small scale.
John unfortunately passed away in 2024. Everything John achieved he did with his wife by his side and everything was for his children and grandchildren.
When John passed in 2024, Wesley, Vicky and Leslie 3 of his children made the decision to continue with Johns plans and ideas for the centre, removing a few of John’s ideas and introducing a new passion for the centre and wanting to make him proud wherever he maybe watching them from. Everything Wesley, Vicky and Leslie do, they do it for Johns Grandchildren they meant everything to him.
Now with Ashleigh (Vickys daughter) taking the lead with her passion for horses, Raine (Leslies daughter) who is only 18 months is Ashleighs best friend and shadow and loves a day on the farm, from oldest generation to new we hope to introduce new ideas and give every customer that visits a memorable and enjoyable experience, just as Dad would have wanted!