Celebrating a Mounted Unit Retirement and the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center

Celebrating a Mounted Unit Retirement: hail to the “chief”

The Trust for the National Mall marked the retirement of beloved U.S. Park Police Horse "Chief" on March 25 on America’s Front Yard. Supporters of the Horse Stables and Education Center project, Trust Board Members, leadership of the National Park Service, the U.S. Park Police, and the Mounted Unit, and Trust staff joined in the ceremony to wish “Happy Trails” to Chief the horse.

After eight years of service to the Mounted Unit, Chief is retiring to greener pastures. Chief was originally donated to the Mounted Unit by Sheila Johnson, Trust Board Vice-Chair and Chair of the Horse Stables Campaign, who joined the send-off and celebration at the Wells Fargo Education Center, with the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial as the backdrop. National Park Service Superintendent for the National Mall Kevin Griess, Chief of the U.S. Park Police Jessica Taylor and outgoing Head of the Mounted Unit on the National Mall Lt. Anna Rose also joined in the tribute to Chief the horse at the Stables and Education Center on the National Mall.

The event featured a tribute to Chief, the horse, by Sheila Johnson, Trust for the National Mall President and CEO Catherine Townsend, and a toast featuring a bouquet of carrots for the horse of the hour.

Georgette “Gigi” Dixon, Executive Vice President and Head of External Engagement, Wells Fargo, and Trust Board Secretary, also shared a tribute to Chief the horse and celebrated the success of the Wells Fargo Education Center that welcomes the public to meet the horses and learn about their service on the National Mall.

“As we say farewell to Chief the horse, who has enchanted countless visitors to the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center, we also share gratitude for Sheila Johnson for donating this magnificent horse to serve on the National Mall and for her generous support of this project. We are grateful for all of the generous supporters, including Wells Fargo, who made this incredible facility possible. We wish Chief well in the greener pastures that await him in retirement".”

— Catherine Townsend, President & CEO, Trust for the National Mall

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