If you’re familiar with James Herriot’s animal stories or the TV series All Creatures Great and Small, you’re already acquainted with beautiful Yorkshire county in England. It’s this region—and specifically a Yorkshire district named Cleveland—that produced England’s oldest horse breed: the Cleveland Bay.
History of the Cleveland Bay
If you love history, you’ll love the Cleveland Bay. Its rich and extensive history that stretches back over centuries. The breed was developed using local pack horses called Chapman horses, and those Chapman horses were then crossed with Barb horses during the 17th century. These set the type for what is now the Cleveland Bay.
The Cleveland Bay Horse Society in England was established in 1884, and the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America (CBHSNA) was formed a year later. The breed’s lines have stayed pure (free of other breeds) since the 1800s, and Cleveland Bays are now known for their impressive consistency in breed type.
As you might expect from a breed that has roots in driving, some of the Cleveland Bay’s most notable characteristics include athleticism, stamina, hardiness, trainability, and a good disposition. The breed is also known for having very strong feet.
And as you might expect from their name, Cleveland Bays are always bay in color.
The Cleveland Bay Today
Like so many of the horse and pony breeds that were immensely popular as driving animals before the automobile era, the population of Cleveland Bays dropped considerably as the need for carriage horses decreased.
Today, the population of purebred Cleveland Bays in North America is about 240. Just 10 to 12 purebred foals are born each year, which places the breed in the “critical” category on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List. This means it is an endangered heritage breed. The CBHSNA is a member of The Livestock Conservancy and believes strongly in its mission.
Although the population of purebred Cleveland Bays is small, North America is home to a very strong population of Cleveland Bay part-breds and sport horses. These talented, athletic animals are wonderful ambassadors for the breed in a variety of competitive disciplines. You’ll find them excelling in everything from dressage to endurance riding.
Cleveland Bays have the looks, talent, and temperament to succeed wherever you point them, and their versatility is a great asset of the breed.
Youth Opportunities
The CBHSNA has a lot to offer young riders who are interested in Cleveland Bays. Youth memberships are priced affordably, and you don’t even need to be a CBHSNA member to participate in some of their youth programs.
Additionally, horses don’t need to be purebred Cleveland Bays to qualify for programs and awards—part-breds and Cleveland Bay sport horses with at least 1/8 Cleveland Bay in their pedigree are also eligible for almost all of the society’s programs. The animals do, however, need to be registered.
The CBHSNA offers two programs for youth involved in the United States Pony Club: a Pony Club Recognition Program and USPC Championship High Point Awards. The Recognition Program promotes all types of activities with Cleveland Bays and is a great option even if you’re not competing at shows.
If dressage is your thing, the CBHSNA participates in the U.S. Dressage Federation All Breed Awards, and if you’re on board for a long-term commitment with a Cleveland Bay, you can work toward a Lifetime Achievement Award, given to members who “actively strive to educate the public, improve the horses, improve the public image, and highlight the versatility of this rare breed.”
Fast Facts About the Breed
◆ Cleveland Bays generally range in height from 16 to 16.2 hands, but some individuals are outside of this range.
◆ Cleveland Bays are only one color: Bay with black points. White markings are to be limited to just a small star in purebreds.
◆ The breed is particularly known for stamina and soundness—two important characteristics that were necessary in its original career as a carriage horse.
◆ When Cleveland Bays were near extinction during the 1960s, Queen Elizabeth II helped to preserve the breed in England and raise awareness of its wonderful qualities.
◆ Buffalo Bill Cody is said to have owned Cleveland Bay horses.
If you’re ready to join the fun with Cleveland Bays, you can begin today. To learn more about the breed or to join CBHSNA, visit www.clevelandbay.org to get started. These historic horses are waiting for you!
This article about the Cleveland Bay appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
