Ezphia Rennock, 35, (pictured) from Preston, Lancashire, spent his time in the British Army as part of the Queen's personal guard for seven years

A former soldier has adopted his service horse almost 20 years after they first met in the Queen's personal guard where their friendship 'just grew stronger from there.'

Ezphia Rennock, 35, from Preston, Lancashire, spent his time in the British Army as part of the Queen's personal guard for seven years - where he first met his soon to become best friend, Agricola, a service horse.

Together they protected the royal family until Mr Rennock retired in 2007 to raise a family expecting never to see Agricola again until his friends that were still serving let him know that Agricola was set to retire in 2019.

Mr Rennock has since adopted Agricola, who now spends his days in a luxury stableyard owned by the Queen near the 35-year-old's home - finally being reunited for good after over a decade apart.

The father-of-one, said: 'I joined the Queen's guard in 2000 which is where I met Agricola.

'He was a proper troublemaker, I was new so they assigned me to him which at the time didn't seem like a good thing.

'We were both crows, which is what new members are called so we met at the same stage of our military career.

During his time serving with the Queen's personal guard the father-of-one met his best friend

'He was only young so he used to throw people off him all the time, we gradually bonded so he accepted me and our friendship just grew stronger from there.

'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.

'My friends who are still working at Knightsbridge let me know that he was retiring and a short time later I went to visit Knightsbridge and noticed that Agricola's saddle was still hung up.

'I asked about adopting him and he was about to go into bidding for anyone who wanted him.

'It was a closed bid so you don't know who has bid the most but the highest bidder usually gets the horse.

'I enclosed a cover letter stating why I wanted to adopt him and although I was not the highest bidder, they called me instantly and told me to come and pick him up.'

Ezphia Rennock, pictured centre, during his time in the Queens personal guard - riding Agricola

'I now rent a space at one of the Queens stables where he will live out his retirement and I visit him every day.'

Mr Rennock joined the Knightsbridge Barracks, the Queens personal guard in the year 2000, he was matched up with newcomer service horse Agricola - who was a difficult horse to control.

Mr Rennock said: 'I was a trooper from 2000 to late 2007 in the household cavalry blues and royals.

'Agricola was hard to control and never really matched with anyone who could handle him.

'He was a very smart horse though so he was a good guard horse, he was cheeky and naughty so I persevered and we bonded.

'Coming away from home as a 17-year-old it was difficult, and Agricola was where I found companionship.

'I loved all of the horses, but Agricola was special.'

Father-of-one Mr Rennock with Agricola guarding Buckingham Palace. The 35-year-old later retired in 2007

Together they worked side by side for seven years, their main duties were guarding Buckingham palace, but they also protected her on any official royal event.

Mr Rennock said: 'Essentially, whenever there is a royal occasion the Queen quite literally brings all the kings' horses and all the king's men.

'Together we covered the Queen mother's funeral, princess Margaret's funeral and we were part of the royal escort, we protected any royals from other countries who visited.

'After I retired, Agricola followed Prince William and Duchess Kate on their wedding day.'

Mr Rennock left the army in late 2007 and then in 2016 Ezphia got a message saying that Aggy was going to be retiring and they wanted to let me know.

Then, in February 2019, Ezphia and his partner, Kirsty, 32 went to Knightsbridge to see his old colleagues where Agricola was still living.

Mr Rennock said: 'It was a really emotional moment, he recognised me instantly, it sounds odd but it was as if I hadn't ever left.

Agricola now stays at a Dutchy yard (pictured), one of the queen's yards that she rents out to farmers

'It brought back so many fond memories of our time together and now we can make even more of them

'I made the arrangements to adopt him and bring him home, we spent nearly 10 years together and I couldn't wait to bring him home but there were more that just me interested in adopting him.'

Mr Rennock made the £1,000 guide price bid but he also included a letter explaining why he wanted to adopt Agricola, code named 77.

He said: 'They called me and said they want to talk to me, so I went straight down.

'They said there was no question about the matter, someone had bid £5,000 but Agricola would go to me.

'I turned up and the man in charge just looked at me and grinned, he said 'He's here for Aggy.'

Agricola now stays at a Dutchy yard, one of the queen's yards that she rents out to farmers.

He said: 'He's gone from staying with queen, to paying her rent and the yard in amazing.

'We served her majesty the queen together for nearly a decade, we bonded, we became best friends, and now we've retired together.'