The Cleveland Bay horse

Its action is long and vigorous. Its longevity is remarkable.

This versatile carriage-builder of the British royal stables is a superb horse for carriage driving, hunting, sporting competitions (show jumping, cross-country, cross-country…) and light drafting. This half-blood, one of the oldest British breeds, is thought to be the result of crossing Iberian and Barb horses with the Chapman Horse, used in the 16th and 17th centuries as a pack and packhorse by the Chapmen. The latter was a small, powerful, bay-coated horse found in the Cleveland district and Yorkshire in northern England. The robust Cleveland Bay, crossed with the Thoroughbred, produced the tall, lanky, bay-coated, and faster Yorkshire Coach Horse, now extinct. In the early 18th century, the Old Cleveland Bay was improved by the addition of two Thoroughbred stallions. The Cleveland Stud Book began in 1884. After a dangerous drop in numbers in the mid-19th century, the breed is now recovering. When crossed with the Thoroughbred, the Cleveland Bay produces excellent carriage horses and highly prized Hunters.