Breed	Cleveland Bay
Alternative Name(s)	N/A
Place of Origin	Cleveland, England
Type	Horse
Approximate Height	16.2 hh.
Color Variations	Bay
Blood Temperature	Warm
Uses	Under-Saddle & Harness
Characteristics	Strong, Sensible & Strong

Cleveland Bay History & Origin

The Cleveland Bay is one of the oldest original breeds of British horses, dating back to the Middle Ages. They were developed in the Cleveland district of Yorkshire and originated from the Chapman Horse, which was named after the Chapmen (traveling salesmen). The Chapman Horse was a small, sturdily built horse with great strength in pulling.

One of the most important features of the Chapman Horse was that it had clean legs with no feathering. This made them ideal for working in the heavy clay areas of Cleveland. The Cleveland Bay undoubtedly developed from the Chapman Horse, and Barb blood was likely introduced during the 17th century. Cleveland Bays owe a debt to some horses of a Thoroughbred type, too. Two of these Thoroughbred stallions were Jalep, the grandson of the famous Godolphin Arabian, and Manica, son of the Darley Arabian.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Cleveland Bay was popular as a carriage horse. However, as the quicker Yorkshire Carriage Horse was developed, this breed was picked on as being too slow, and the Yorkshire Carriage Horse challenged their position as top carriage horse. The Yorkshire Carriage Horse was developed through crossing

Cleveland Bay Population

In 1884, the Cleveland Bay studbook was opened to try to maintain the breed, but by 1962 numbers had dwindled to the point where there were only four breeding stallions left. At this point, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II bought one of the stallions, Mulgrave Supreme, who was then sent to stud to try to re-establish the breed. Since then the breed's numbers have increased, in great part due to the continued patronage of the royal family. The royal stables use the Cleveland Bays as carriage horses. They also make very good heavy-weight hunters and riding horses. They have been used widely to improve other breeds. This breed of horse has a very calm, sensible temperament, although can be quite lively when required.

Cleveland Bay Uses

Perhaps the Cleveland's greatest advantage is its versatility. Early Clevelands were versatile pack and harness horses. The present day Cleveland is equally versatile in relation to the modern equine disciplines. This has been proved by a Pure Bred Stallion who has been performance tested by the National Stallion Association. The test includes dressage, show jumping, and cross country phases. As carriage and driving horses they remain unsurpassed. For this purpose a good number are kept at the Royal Mews. Teams of Clevelands can be seen competing in FEI driving trials. Many are driven as singles and in pairs purely for pleasure. They make ideal heavy weight hunters for the field, and can be exhibited in the show ring either as in-hand, ridden or working hunters. As sound active horses with substance, stamina and a good temperament they make excellent police horses. The ability to break a Cleveland Bay to saddle and harness makes this breed invaluable to all round enthusiast to whom one horse can be all things!

Cleveland Bay Breed Standard - Cleveland Bay Horse Society, United Kingdom

Height:	16.0 h.h. to 16.2 h.h. but height should not disqualify an otherwise good sort.
Color:	Cleveland Bays must be bay with black points, i.e. black legs, black mane and black tail. Grey hairs in mane and tail do not disqualify. These have been long recognised as a feature in certain strains of pure Cleveland blood. White, beyond a very small star, is outside Breed standards but as from January 2005 they can still be registered however Breed Committee comments are noted on the passport and in the Stud Book. Legs which are bay or red below the knees and hocks do not disqualify, but are faulty as to colour.
Body:	The body should be wide and deep. The back should not be too long, and should be strong with muscular loins. The shoulders should be sloping, deep and muscular. The quarters should be level, powerful, long and oval, the tail springing well from the quarters.
Head and Neck:	The head characteristic of the breed should be bold and not too small. It should be well carried on a long lean neck.
Eyes:	Eyes should be large, well set and kindly in expression.
Ears:	Tend to be large and fine.
The Limbs:	Arms and thighs and second thighs should be muscular. The knees and hocks should be large and well closed. There should be 9" upwards of good flat bone below the knee measured at the nearest point on a tight tape. The pasterns should be strong, sloping and not too long. The legs should be clear of superfluous hair and as clean and hard as possible.
The Feet:	One of the most important features of the breed; the feet must be of the best and blue in colour. Feet that are shallow or narrow are undesirable.
The Action:	Action must be true, straight and free. High action is not characteristic of the breed. The Cleveland which moves well and which is full of courage will move freely from the shoulder and will flex his knees and hocks sufficiently. The action required is free all round, gets over the ground, and fits the wear-and-tear qualities of the breed.

*References:
- The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
- Cleveland Bay Horse Society, United Kingdom

Cleveland Bay Horse Breeders

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CM Sporthorses

Breeders of Cleveland Bay, Warmblood & Coloured Sporthorses.

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