The Cleveland Bay evolved from the Chapman horse. The Chapman's were traveling salesmen that bred this strong sturdy horse to carry their wares. As time went by, breeders worked to refine this horse and introduced the blood of two fine Thoroughbreds in the early 1700's. However since 1750 there has been no further injection of thoroughbred blood into the purebred Cleveland Bay. A breed of fixed type was, therefore, finally established which passes on its qualities to its progeny.

In the late 18th century, the popularity of carriage driving encouraged some breeders to cross their Cleveland Bays with strong thoroughbreds. The taller, elegant carriage horses became knows as the Yorkshire Coach Horse and were seen being driven by the nobility of London.

What resulted was a strong stylish, versatile horse with honest; intelligent temperament that almost became a victim of its own success. Continual crossbreeding put the purebred Cleveland Bay under serious threat and as a result the Cleveland Bay Horse Society was formed in 1884, to preserve the breed.

Still, the breed declined and in 1962 there were only four mature stallions left in Britain. At this point the Queen got involved. She bought a colt named Mulgrave Supreme, who was supposed to be sent to America. His success as a sire was such that within 15 years the number of stallions in the UK had increased to about 35, many of which were progeny of Mulgrave Supreme.

The Cleveland Bay has achieved world recognition through being a top driving competition horse for Prince Phillip and a very elegant ceremonial horse for both the Queen and the Emperor of Japan. Crossed with Thoroughbreds, the Cleveland Bay also has become a top horse in the competing fields of jumping, eventing and dressage.

Interestingly, a similar thing happened in the U.S. Quite a number of Cleveland Bays were imported to the U.S. and the Cleveland Bay Society of America was founded in 1885. But the advent of the automobile and import costs high, the breed was dying here. Thanks to the popularity of the Sport horse in America, the Cleveland Bay is making a comeback. This wonderful horse is the world's only surviving breed of warmblood of good size with a studbook free of outcrosses for more than a hundred years. Because of the uniformity and high quality of the Cleveland Bay, the stallions have been used to improve stock worldwide. The German's used them to improve the blood of Trakehners, Hanoverians and others.

Purebred Cleveland Bays will have a very uniform conformation and temperament. Here are the requirements and characteristics: Height: 16.0 to 16.2 hands but good animals outside this size are accepted by the Cleveland Bay Society; Colour: Always bay with black points i.e. black legs, mane and tail. Grey hairs in mane and tail do not disqualify. White is not admissible beyond a very small star. Legs which are bay or red below the knees and hocks do not disqualify, but are considered faulty as to colour; Body: The body should be wide and deep. The back should not be 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 should be bold and not too small and carried on a long lean neck. 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. 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: An important feature of the bred is good broad feet, preferably blue in colour; Action: The Cleveland Bay should move freely, with a true, straight action, moving in sweeping ground-covering strides; Eyes: Should be large, well set and kindly; Ears: Usually large and fine; Temperament: The Cleveland Bay is sensible, honest and highly intelligent. Bold and adaptable.

To those that know the breed, their success should come as no surprise, for the Cleveland's strength of body and mind are the perfect combination for dressage and jumping. But the problem still remains for breeders to be able to breed purebreds. The crosses are important and lovely horses, but without the purebreds, there is no Cleveland Bay.