Piano-playing police horse in the park

A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless that horse is a piano-playing horse.

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MANCHESTER, NH – A musical highlight of Thursday’s Manchester Community Market launch came right after the big reveal of three public pianos, designed and painted by students from NH Institute of Art. The Keys to the City public piano program is sponsored by Eversource NH, Piano Movers Inc., Cafe la Reine, resident Daniel Bérubé, and the City of Manchester, to entice everyone to indulge their inner musician.

That invitation apparently extends to the city’s four-legged residents, as well.

After each piano was unveiled by Intown Manchester Executive Director Sara Beaudry, and sound-tested by her sister-in-law, local singer/songwriter Alli Beaudry, General Stark, one of two Manchester Police Mounted Patrol horses, couldn’t hold back any longer. 

He was champing at the bit for his shot at stardom.

horse 1
General Stark reveals his hidden talent at the Keys to the City Public Piano program launch at Victory Park on a piano sponsored by city resident Daniel Bérubé. Photo/Carol Robidoux

The animal clip-clopped his way around the pianos and started tickling the ivories – with his mouth, to everyone’s delight. Officer Kelly McKenny, his rider, would not confirm or deny whether someone may have scattered snack-sized carrots on the keys. 

“General Stark, everyone. He’ll be here all week,” said fellow Mounted Patrol Officer Paul Rondeau, to laughs and applause. “That’s a hard act to follow.”

“Nobody wants to touch the pianos now,” responded Officer McKenny, as Valor and General trotted off into the sunset.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!