Meet The Man Behind The Magic of The Rocking Horse Shop
At their busiest time of year in the run up to Christmas, we catch up with Andrew Brown, rocking horse restorer at The Rocking Horse Shop, to learn more about their magical work
Tell us what you do.
My main role involves repairing and restoring traditional rocking horses brought to us by customers from all over the country. I take great pride in bringing these cherished pieces back to life.
What is your background?
I’m from a local family and started my career in TV and audio electronics before spotting an advert for a part-time metalworker at The Rocking Horse Shop about 15 years ago. It turned out to be the best career move I could have made. From day one, I was fascinated by the restorations – the stories behind each horse, and the generations of children who once played with them.
I’ve always been a perfectionist, which fits perfectly with this work. There’s something special about stripping back layers of paint to reveal wood that hasn’t seen daylight in over a century. Each restoration is different, and sometimes full of surprises – we often find little treasures hidden inside the horses by children long ago, from toy soldiers to marbles and pencils.
Where do you source your supplies?
We’re proud to be officially Made in Britain and Made in Yorkshire, meaning our products are crafted entirely here in the UK. We love working with other small, family-run companies who share our values and passion for quality craftsmanship. Our leather is sourced from Devon, our metalwork is cast in Birmingham, and our metals, rosettes, and plaques come from right here in Yorkshire. We’re truly proud to support British manufacturing and keep these traditional skills alive.
Where do you find inspiration?
Our inspiration always begins with the original craftsmen who built these incredible horses. Every restoration is guided by a desire to bring the piece back to life exactly as it once was – as if it’s just left the showroom for the very first time.
It’s an emotional process, not just for us but for the families too. Many of our customers are deeply touched when they see their restored horse, often recalling vivid memories of childhood – the excitement of Christmas morning or the moment their parents gave it to them. Seeing those memories passed down through generations is what makes our work so special.
What’s your typical day?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day – and that’s exactly what we love about the job! We often start with a plan, but by 10am it’s usually gone out the window. Our work is incredibly varied; some restoration projects can take two to three months to complete, so we’re rarely focused on just one horse all day. You’ll often find us moving between different jobs – carving, sanding, painting, or fitting – each step bringing the projects closer to completion. It’s busy, hands-on, and deeply rewarding when everything comes together in the end.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of our work is keeping up the high standards we set for ourselves every day. Each horse that comes into the workshop becomes part of our lives for a little while. We always ask if the horse has a name – and once we know it, that’s how we refer to it while it’s here. They really do become part of the family.
These horses are more than wood and paint, they are a legacy. One of our most treasured creations, our ‘Hero’ Race Horse model, is lovingly named in memory of cherished family members who are no longer with us. Each time we craft a Hero, we remember them. If you browse our catalogue, you’ll see other horses, too, named after beloved relatives, each one telling a story, each one deeply personal.
What’s the best part?
What I love most is the challenge of restoration itself. Some of the horses that come to us arrive in bits – sometimes even in bags! Taking something so loved, rebuilding it piece by piece, finishing it, and then finally mounting it back on its stand is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the family’s reaction when they see their horse restored to its former glory makes every moment worthwhile.
Can you tell us about a favourite recent project?
Like so many families, ours has been deeply affected by cancer. Through our business, we’ve been able to give back, and one of the ways we do this is through a partnership with the charity Lasting Life, founded by actress Susan George in memory of her late husband, actor Simon MacCorkindale, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2010. Lasting Life is different from many large charities — every single penny goes directly to helping those affected.
So far, we’ve proudly raised more than £11,000 to support the charity’s vital work. As part of this ongoing commitment, we created Spirit of Lasting Life, a bespoke horse made from cherry, a tribute to love, courage and remembrance. For every one of these horses sold, a proportion of the proceeds is donated directly to the charity.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, we’re working on around 100 rocking horses across the workshop – it’s our busiest time of year as we get ready for Christmas! The run-up to the holidays is always a bit hectic, but also magical. We’re racing to meet our festive deadline so that Santa can deliver plenty of beautifully restored and handcrafted horses on Christmas Day.
We’re also looking ahead to something very exciting – our 50th anniversary next year. It’s going to be a golden celebration of the people, the stories, and the craftsmanship that have brought us this far. We can’t wait to share it with our wonderful customers, our talented team, and, of course, our horses.
Even as the world becomes increasingly modern, our mission stays the same: to protect the tradition of handcrafted rocking horses while embracing new tools and platforms that help us reach people everywhere. From sharing our work on social media to demonstrating our craft live at shows, we hope to inspire the next generation of makers.
Best place to eat /drink locally?
Judson’s in Pocklington – we have many team meetings in here! Great food and drink!
A book, TV show or podcast you recommend?
I know many of the team listen to The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey and Damien Hughes, but I love my Star Trek on the TV after a long day!
An item you couldn’t live without?
A kettle – there is nothing better than a cup of Yorkshire Tea!
Yorkshire Puddings on a Christmas dinner – yes or no?
YES! Yorkshire puddings can go on any meal!
