The Cleveland bay was first bred in the county of Cleveland, in north-east England, as long ago as the 17th century. It is one of the country's oldest breeds.
Before the days of mechanical transport it was a coach horse - used in ceremonies - as well as for everyday work. It was also valued by farmers for light agricultural work.
The breed was once known as the 'chapman' horse, named after Chapmen (travelling business men) who used Cleveland's as pack horses.
Crosses with Thoroughbreds in the 19th century resulted in the development of the Yorkshire Coach horse - a lighter variation of the Cleveland - which was bred to pull more fashionable forms of transport in London. Today Cleveland's are still crossed with Thoroughbreds to produce hunter, show jumpers and fast carriage horses.
APPEARANCE
The Cleveland Bay has a large head, with a convex (outwardly curving) face, and big expressive eyes. The neck is slender, the body is wide and deep and the hindquarters and legs are muscular. The tail is high-set.
HEIGHT
16 to 16.2hh.
COLOUR
Bay with black points - legs, mane and tail. There are sometimes grey hairs in the mane and tail but the only marking acceptable for showing is a small white star on the face.
PERSONALITY
Despite being large and strong, Cleveland Bays' are docile and easy to school. They are intelligent and sensible, with a good deal of stamina, and live to a ripe old age.
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