I’ve collated your need-to-know information for the 2026 HOYS heavy horse qualifiers because, whether your planning to show your Shire horse in-hand, your Clydesdale in harness, or your Suffolk Punch under saddle, I know first-hand how hard it is to find Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier details and keep on top of planning your season.

While the HOYS qualifier shows have been announced for 2026, many of the hosts have not revealed their judges yet, so I’m frequently updating this page with all the new details as they are released.

2026 HOYS heavy horse qualifiers

• The Barber Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year
• Driven Heavy Horse of the Year
• Shire Horse of the Year Championship supported by the Shire Horse Society

The Barber Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year

Below is the information for all ridden heavy horse qualifiers.

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Driven Heavy Horse of the Year

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

Shire Horse of the Year Championship supported by the Shire Horse Society

If you are viewing this table on a mobile, swipe left for more info

• For all your need-to-know information for other 2026 HOYS qualifiers, plus more expert showing advice from top riders and updates on shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A rare grey Shire found himself at the top of the line in the Barber Family British ridden heavy horse championship, providing his producer with a second victory since this Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final was introduced in 2016.

Emma Green rode six-year-old Cardington Billy Bob (out of Cloverfield May Queen) to victory, a gelding she bought unseen as a three-year-old.

“He’s a dead easy, genuine horse – his stablemate is completely different in that respect – but he’s taken it all in his stride. When we qualified him, we thought well we’ve got two that are very different but let’s run him because it’ll do him good,” Emma said.

“Billy Bob has totally exceeded all our expectations. He’s such a lovely boy. When I ride out at home I ride this one and lead Charlie, the other one I had in today, and he does that in the dark, he’s so genuine and so special.”

Emma intends to keep going with the Burlington Park Loose Valley son, who seems to have found his calling in the show ring:

“He’s one of those horses that loves it, likes the attention, likes the shows so I think this is his job and he can keep coming back.”

“Queen of the heavies” Emma, who was also in the placings with Lindy Winship’s Higher View Charlie for the final, last won the final in 2022 with Westfield Calendar Girl who, she notes, is a “very different” character.

“We’ve had seven or eight qualify for this final and it’s just about keeping going and finding horses to bring out, especially when there just aren’t the numbers.”

Shire horses are deemed at risk by to the Rare Breed Survival Trust – having declined in response to “agricultural mechanisation”, and only surviving to modern times owing to “the support of a small number of individual breeders” – and grey Shires even more so; some sources say there are only 200 or so globally.

Emma added: “Shires are rare anyway but even more so are the greys. We are wanting to promote the breeding of them so it’s good for him to come. The only problem is we need more on the ground because people want them but it’s just breeding them.”

Runner-up in the ridden heavy horse championship “keeps getting better and better”

A second Shire took up the runner-up position in the ridden heavy horse championship and this was Neil Wray’s Acle Mojo, with Neil’s partner David Drake at the bridle.

The Rookhills Leapley Lad eight-year-old is out of Acle Queen Of Diamonds, and Neil bought him as a five-year-old unbacked stallion. Mojo was bred by Bryan Banham, whose Acle Carousel won the Shire horse of the year accolade in 2022 and featured in the line-up again this year alongside three others boasting the same prefix this time.

“We’ve spent the last three years showing Mojo. He was here last year when he was third, and the year before he was fourth – we’ve got better. But this may be our last season as we have young horses at home and we will be looking for a new home for him unfortunately.”

Neil found the horse advertised on Facebook.

“He was with a Shire horse breeder called Jonathan Worthington from Cheshire; he’d been his stud stallion for a couple of seasons. We were lucky enough to pop across, see him stood in the field and thought, ‘That’s the one.’”

In his third HOYS final, low-mileage Mojo has only ever contested 10 shows in total. He qualified this year at the National Hunter Supreme Show, and other highlights include second place at the National Shire Show this spring, having won there the previous year.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Anyone who has watched ridden heavy horses in the show ring will know that they are a treat for spectators. Whoever imagined such giants could be as balanced and light-footed as a hack?

Horses aimed at the Heavy Horse of the Year HOYS qualifiers must be registered with the British Studbooks of the Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk or British Percheron Society. But as you take a moment to enjoy the spectacle, do you really know your Shire from your Clydesdale, or which is the Suffolk and which is the Percheron?

Let us shed some light on each of them so you’re up to speed when you find yourself cheating your way through a chat at the ringside…

The Shire Horse

How to spot a Shire

Shires come in black, brown, bay or grey, though there are actually very, very few greys. The breed standards state that you won’t find large splashes of white on the body of a “good stallion” and they must not be roan or chestnut. It is, however, acceptable for geldings or mares to be roan. The Shires of yesteryear had abundant feather but today’s Shire has straighter, silkier and finer feather.

On average, Shires are between 17 and 18hh, but geldings and mares may be a teeny bit smaller. The Shire and Clydesdale are pretty similar in build, but the Shire is generally slightly taller with horses sometimes reaching over 20hh. Also, the hindquarters might be a little different, with those of a Shire being “long and sweeping” and thighs should be well muscled. In motion, a Shire should be a powerful, straight over, using hocks and knees, with the former close together.

Clues from turnout

An in-hand Shire is a feast for the eyes, with tail ribbons and standing wire flights adding a burst of colour to an already impressive sight. Ridden Shires don’t wear standing flights for safety reasons. Instead, you’ll find a braid in their manes and a ribbon in tails.

How to cheat your way through a ringside chat on the Shire

Originally known as the English Cart Horse, the breed’s name changed to the Shire in 1878. Though they were immensely popular pre mechanisation, industrialisation and the world wars, the Shire’s numbers declined enormously until there were just 16 foals registered in the 1958 stud book, according to the Shire Horse Society. So, just like the other native breeds eligible for competition, the Shire is on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s equine watchlist, and is categorised as “at risk”.

Impress your friends with: Did you know, the last three winners of the ridden heavy horse class at HOYS have been Shires? The Shire has a brilliant track record in the ridden heavy horse of the year championship, with Moorfield Nancy being the most recent winner last season – 2024 – under Alice Pimbley.

The Clydesdale

How to spot a Clydesdale

The Clydesdale is, on average, a smidge smaller than the Shire, at a not-so-whopping 17 to 18hh. Some mares will measure slightly smaller, and some geldings and stallions slightly taller. Though a Clydesdale should be strong with good depth, spring of rib and rounded quarters – like any good draught horse – the Clydesdale tends not to be as stocky as the Suffolk or Percheron.

According to the breed society’s criteria, a Clydesdale’s legs should be “set close together” and its hind legs should have a “lengthy” distance between hocks and pasterns “with an absence of a second thigh above the hock”. This gives way to the unique and free action of the Clydesdale.

Like the Shire, bay and brown and roan are most common, but you’ll occasionally happen across a black and chestnut, too. White markings tend to travel further up the legs than on a Shire, and it’s not uncommon to see white legs blend into a roan fleck on the body. A Clydesdale without a blaze is a rare sight.

Clues from turnout 

Clydesdales will usually don a ribbon in their tails, and stallions and geldings wear braided manes, but female Clydesdales traditionally don’t.

How to cheat your way through a ringside chat on the Clydesdale 

The Clydesdale is Scotland’s only native horse, and it’s always a pleasure to catch the Royal Highland’s bountiful ridden Clydesdale class. It originates in Lanarkshire, Clydesdale being the old name for the district, and dates back to the mid 18th Century when Flemish stallions were crossed with Lanarkshire’s native horses. During the 1970s the breed was considered “vulnerable” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, but has since increased in numbers to the “at risk” category.

Impress your friends with: Did you know, the Clydesdale also has a really good track record in the Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year championship at HOYS? In fact, the inaugural championship was won by Scottish duo, Virginia Osborne and Kinclune Danny Boy in 2016. A second Scottish duo, Kirsty Aird and Glenside Matthew’s Flower Of Scotland won in 2021.

The Suffolk horse

How to spot a Suffolk Horse 

Suffolks are easy to spot. The Suffolk is for fans of fiery red hair, with liver, dark, red, light or bright chesnuts being the only colours allowed. No, that’s not a typo; when referring to the Suffolk horse, the colour chestnut is always spelled chesnut.

“Plain” – for want of a better word to describe this brilliant colour – chesnut is preferred, but according to breed standards, a certain amount of white is acceptable on the face, as is a “scattering” of white or silver hairs on the body. White to the fetlock is allowed, but considered a fault and is not acceptable in stud stallions.

Today’s Suffolk is a little taller than the 15.2hh of the original Suffolk, Crisp’s Horse. According to their breed society standards, a mature Suffolk will be between 15¾ and 17hh. Suffolks are squarer and chunkier in the body than Shires and Clydesdales, with a huge shoulder and proportionally short legs, so they may not have the extravagant knee and hock action of the other three breeds.

Clues from turnout 

The Suffolk is shown with a ribbon in a plaited tail. Like the Shire, it wears standing wire flights in hand, but will be found shown with a single plait down the mane and a ribbon at the wither in ridden classes.

How to cheat your way through a chat on the Suffolk horse 

According to the RBST, the Suffolk horse is the most endangered of our draught breeds, being the only one in the “priority” category. The Suffolk’s numbers were decimated post WWI by the mechanisation of agriculture, until just nine Suffolks were registered in 1966. Thankfully, they have regained popularity.

Impress your friends with: Did you know that so far, a Suffolk hasn’t won the Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year championship? Richard Telford came a close second in 2016 with Eyke Diamond.

The Percheron horse

How to spot a Percheron 

Just like the Suffolk, a good Percheron won’t have much feather. But you won’t find them in “chesnut”. Instead, a Percheron horse is grey or black, with a minimum of white, although the society recognises that colour will tend to lighten in older horses.

Like its chestnut rival, the Percheron is also squarer in appearance than the Shire or Clydesdale. Mares should be a minimum of 16.1hh, and stallions or geldings a smidge bigger, being at least 16.2hh.

Clues from turnout 

Rely on colour, because again, manes should be braided irrespective of sex, and tails should be plaited with a ribbon, so not much to go on from turnout!

How to cheat your way through a ringside chat on the Percheron 

Though we’re not entirely sure how long the Percheron horse has been on British soil, we know it’s been around a long time, with the first one appearing as far back as William the Conqueror’s invasion of England.

According to the British Percheron Horse Society, it’s also believed that thousands of Percheron-esque horses were imported to Britain from North America during the latter half of the 19th Century for omnibuses and other light draught work in big towns. Nowadays, you may have seen Percherons being ridden by police, including at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Impress your friends with: Although there aren’t as many Percherons competing in the ridden classes as there are Clydesdales and Shires, they are successful. In 2017 fans saw a Percheron win at HOYS – Hales Hector was ridden to victory by Household Cavalry Corporal of the Horse, Jamie Bradbury.

Now just remember to have this guide open on your mobile as you’re watching, and you’ll know what’s what in no time!

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) is bringing in a rule next year – and an advisory this year – stating that all horses must have tails.

The move has come owing to the prevalence of entries in heavy horse classes with tail hair no longer than the length of the dock – or shaved docks.

GYS entries and livestock coordinator Amanda Stoddart-West told H&H the show team had noticed increasing numbers of essentially tail-less horses for the last couple of years.

“I don’t understand it, but it seems to have become a trend,” she said. “It means that for an hour in the ring, these horses have no tails all summer. We’ve had some complaints about it; members of the public and other equestrians saying, ‘Surely that’s not right?’”

Mrs Stoddart-West added that she saw many shaved or trimmed heavy horses’ docks at shows last summer, while she was acting as a voluntary welfare steward.

“Everyone we asked said it was because it was quicker than plaiting,” she said. “That’s just not good enough. It’s really sad for these horses.”

GYS vet Julian Rishworth told H&H tails are a “vital part of a horse’s basic requirements”.

“They should never be removed for aesthetic reasons,” he added.

Shire Horse Society CEO Victoria Clayton said the society was not aware of the rule.

“We had heard that there were rumours of such, but we had not received any official communication from the Great Yorkshire Show,” she told H&H.

“Our rules state that the docks ‘must be covered by a fan of hair’ for in-hand showing classes, although we do not apply this to turnout classes on safety grounds. It is hoped that safety is considered by the GYS for the turnout classes. Some horses who take part in turnout classes are also shown in-hand and we hope this is taken into account.”

Ms Clayton added that “hair getting caught in harness and traces is dangerous”. But Mrs Stoddart-West suggested that plaiting or wrapping tails could mitigate any such issues.

“They’ve done that for years,” she said. “And look at pure driving; they all have full tails. All horses should have tails; it’s as simple as that.”

Ms Clayton added: “The Shire Horse Society would not knowingly support any practice that caused horses to suffer any kind of welfare issue. The Shire Horse Society does not accept that clipped tails fall into that category. The Shire Horse Society’s primary purpose is to protect, preserve and promote the continuance of the breed.

“Where flies are deemed to be a source of extreme annoyance to a horse, there are other more efficient ways to limit this annoyance than having a longer tail, for example fly rugs, fly masks, keeping the horse in during the day and putting it out at night and garlic powder in the feed. All of these are not uncommon practices where/when flies are deemed to be problematic. A longer tail will not keep flies off a horse’s eyes or ears. Not one of our members’ equine vets have raised welfare concerns about clipped tails.

“We stand by that shorter tails are necessary for safety grounds for horses used in the turnout classes.”

World Horse Welfare director of communications and public affairs Jessica Stark told H&H the charity does not believe shaving docks for aesthetic reasons is ethical.

“Horses’ tails play an important role and are used for balance, communication and to deter flies,” she said. “For some individual horses, there might be medical or other legitimate reasons to shave their tails but the decision to do this should be welfare-based to ensure it is in the horse’s best interest.”

Petition

A petition on the Government website is also calling for a ban on shaved or very short tails for welfare reasons. The Suffolk Horse Society’s owners’ manual includes extensive guidance on plaiting tails.

British Equine Veterinary Association veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve told H&H that whenever anyone does anything to an animal, the benefits and harms to them and us should be considered and that in most situations, there are compromises.

Examples “of situations where most people would be happy to compromise” could include keeping a horse on box rest to allow an injury to heal or clipping so a horse can be ridden in winter.

“If shaving or trimming a tail prevents problems (for example harness entanglement) or even saves time, and those benefits significantly outweigh any harms (for example inability to swish away flies), the decision may be easy,” she said. “If the outcome isn’t clear, we should probably re-evaluate our choice.

“Things become doubly difficult when there isn’t evidence of the degree of benefit or any harm. I don’t know of any scientific papers that indicate the incidence of full tails becoming entangled in harnesses, nor any evidence that demonstrates that the lack of a full tail results in increased fly stress. Where evidence is absent, we need to use opinion, experience, anecdote and common sense. Unfortunately, these can vary wildly.

“We should all reflect on our interactions with animals and do our best to minimise the negative effects and do our best to maximise the positive – as part of this process, and notwithstanding the need to protect our animals, we should also recognise the difference between what effects are proven and what effects are assumed.”

H&H has contacted the Clydesdale Horse Society for comment.

Do you think all horses should have full tails? Let us know your thoughts by emailing us at hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county for the chance to be published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Real horsepower is being used to reduce the impact of tree removal needed for maintenance of the electricity network in Scotland.

For the first time since the network was modernised, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Transmission is extracting timber with heavy horses to avoid unnecessary damage to the environment.

SSEN Transmission is working with Future Forestry, which operates across the country and has found that “there is still a place for horse logging where access, space, environmental, or ground sensitivities don’t allow for modern-day machinery”.

The business has recruited equine team members Eli, Luke and Ben.

Future Forestry director of operations Angie Smith said: “It has always been our mission to be forward-thinking with investment in new technologies to make work safer and more efficient, but time-saving isn’t always the main priority on a lot of our worksites.

“We have to consider the environment we are working in and how we can leave a site having caused as little impact as possible on what remains. It’s always a balance between getting value for our clients and mitigating our impact.

“When I heard that the previous owner John was retiring from working with the heavy horses, I knew we had a place for them, even on some of our commercial contracts. Our fantastic equine manager, Annie Hutchison, spent a year settling them in after their move from Rochdale and has also been helping with staff training. We currently have four staff members who have undergone horse logging training courses as members of the British Horse Loggers.”

The horses have worked on projects including one for SSEN Transmission near Brechin in Angus.

“Future Forestry’s work on the spur that connects the overhead line to the Brechin substation is the final phase of the resilience work on the 132kV overhead line circuits from Tealing to Arbroath,” an SSEN Transmission spokesperson said, adding that the site was classed as high-risk owing to the size and position of conifers, which had to be removed.

“Helping to minimise disturbance, manual tree cutting along with horse logging was used to sensitively extract timber from amongst the broadleaf trees that are being retained as a space that the surrounding properties’ use.”

SSEN Transmission’s Martin Sangster said the company was supportive when Future Forestry suggested the idea.

“It also alleviated the concerns of nearby residents who were worried all trees were being removed with heavy machinery,” he said. “On learning of the horse logging technique, they became supportive of the plans and appreciative of the steps being taken to reduce the impact of felling operations.”

British Horse Loggers Charitable Trust chair Steffi Schaffler said: “Horse logging is a method of extracting timber from forestry sites that is sensitive, sustainable and effective. Horses don’t replace machines but do jobs that wouldn’t be possible with other methods.

“They make it possible to keep the forestry system intact while extracting large amounts of timber without damage to the ground or the standing crop.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The oldest horse in The Barber Family 2024 HOYS British ridden heavy horse of the year championship stole the show to provide her connections with their first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) victory.

Alice Pimbley piloted Harry and Hannah Bardsley’s 15-year-old Shire mare Moorfield Nancy into the top spot.

Judges JJ Kemp (ride) and Captain James Anderson (conformation) were both captivated with the upstanding mare’s “phenomenal performance”.

Nancy was bred by Peter Williams. She is a daughter of the stallion Trem Y Wyddfa Mascot.

She has only been lightly shown, having bred three foals prior to her joining the ridden heavy horse scene last year.

Alice took the ride on her last summer. She first rode her in the ring at Staffordshire County where they finished second in the HOYS qualifier. Earlier this season they returned to that show ground to bag their ticket. She was also champion at Cheshire County this term.

“We’ve had a fantastic year, though she’s done very little,” Alice said. “When she’s stood still she’s a nice horse, but she really shines when she goes up a level. She rides like a hack. I’ve never known anything like her.”

Nancy is based with Harry and Hannah full-time, with Alice taking the reins at shows.

“I met Nancy when she was two hours old,” said Shire enthusiast Harry, who has now owned her for 10 years. “Nancy is pure elegance. She’s also a sweetheart; you can lead her out to the field in the headcollar and she’ll just follow you. This was our first time at HOYS, and while it sounds like a cliche, winning is a dream come true.”

This was Alice’s first HOYS win, following in the footsteps of her mother, Jayne, who has won in Birmingham before: “As horses are my job we always have to sell them with the ride, but Harry and Hannah have been so loyal and have let me go all the way through with Nancy. I am so grateful.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A home-bred Clydesdale is bound for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with a 15-year-old rider who becomes the youngest competitor to ever qualify for the ridden heavy horse of the year final. Colleen and Barry Marshall’s Burgess Outon Miracle, a six-year-old mare by Eskechraggan Ernest, and their daughter Kaitlyn, just 14 at the time, landed their debut HOYS ticket at Fife Show.

Miracle was the first foal the family bred and while she is relatively new to ridden showing, she tallied some impressive results in-hand. As a four-year-old, she won the prestigious Cawdor Cup at the Royal Highland Show and was also champion of her age category at the World Clydesdale Show in Aberdeenshire later in the season. In 2023, she bred a filly foal.

“Last year, Kaitlyn had outgrown her 14.2hh pony and we were looking for something for her to ride, so we broke Miracle in for a bit of fun,” explains Colleen. “Kaitlyn backed her herself and they’ve gone from strength to strength as a partnership ever since.”

Miracle contested her first ridden show at Kilmacolm at the beginning of the 2024 season, where she won her class and qualified for Blair Horse Trials. As she was so impeccably behaved, her next outing was Fife.

“It was a bigger show and a step up as the class was a HOYS qualifier against the big boys,” Colleen continues. “We were absolutely gobsmacked to be placed first and qualify. It was an absolutely unbelievable and phenomenal feeling as a parent; I was so proud of them both. We never thought this would be us. Next stop was the Royal Highland show where they finished reserve champion out of 16 horses.”

The duo most recently headed to the Blair final where they were crowned ridden Clydesdale champions on less than ideal going owing to wet weather.

“We’re now getting ready for HOYS,” Colleen said. “All we can ask for is to get in and out of the ring safely, and to get a nice picture! As a family we are so proud of Kaitlyn; to have achieved all this in such a short time and at such a young age is an inspiration.”

Showing isn’t the only sphere Miracle excels in, as Colleen explains: “Miracle also attends Pony Club, has done some dressage and is more than happy to have my 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old old son, who is a complete beginner, ride her at home.

“I will forever be in debt to this horse; she really is a miracle mare, our true horse of a lifetime. We don’t have any fancy facilities or an arena, so we’re getting as much riding in as possible on the grass ahead of HOYS.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Clydesdales and their Labrador friend are back for a snowy edition of the Budweiser Super Bowl advert.

The film opens with a wintry scene, then cutting from a bar to a snow-covered field, where a Clydsesdale nudges a Budweiser delivery driver who has the idea to deliver beer the traditional way.

The driver and his colleague, the latter played by Fred Dana, a real-life Budsweiser wholesaler of more than 34 years, load up the cart and the team of horses head out into the snow.

When the weather starts to close in, the bar’s yellow Labrador appears and escorts the horses the rest of the way.

“Budweiser has been synonymous with the Super Bowl for decades and the broadcast continues to be a very special moment for our brand and a core pillar of our advertising strategy,” said Kristina Punwani, head of marketing at Budweiser USA.

“This year, we’re thrilled to bring our fans a piece of the traditional Super Bowl entertainment that they know and love from Budweiser: the iconic Clydesdales.

“We knew there was no better way to show Budweiser’s continued commitment to delivering for its fans than with our biggest celebrities.”

The advert, titled “Old-School Delivery”, is directed by Academy Award-nominated film-maker and Emmy Award-winning commercial director Henry Alex Rubin and was created by FCB New York.

It is the Clydesdale’s 46th Super Bowl appearance and this year, the horses will be bringing beer to bars in the city in Las Vegas, where Super Bowl LVIII takes place on 11 February.

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A Suffolk Punch mare came to the fore to take the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship at Your Horse Live (11 November).

Andrea Hoskin’s delightful four-year-old Holbeache Scarlet reigned supreme after lifting the inaugural SFAS heavy horse in-hand accolade the previous day, handled throughout by Brad Auker.

Scarlet was bought by Andrea as a weaned foal from her breeder, Mike Clarke, and she is now one of five broodmares owned by breed enthusiast Andrea. Brad works as head horseman at Andrea’s stud.

Andrea first forayed into Suffolk Punches 12 years ago, though Brad is new to the heavy horse scene, having previously worked with thoroughbreds.

“Winning was such a shock; the championship was a fantastic display of lovely in-hand and ridden ponies and horses,” Andrea said. “Scarlet looked magnificent in the ring, and she’s impressive due to her size, but I never expected her to take the championship. The result made me cry happy tears. I am truly honoured.

“This is such an accolade for the profile of the breed, too,” Andrea continued. “It’s an exciting time for the Suffolk Punch, and a big thank you to SEIB for including the heavies in their schedule.”

Scarlett is in foal for 2024 to NewPole Maurice. She qualified for Your Horse Live at Arena UK.

In 2022 she stood supreme champion at Suffolk show and she is also a former Rutland County champion and Royal Norfolk winner.

“Scarlet is a very easy, sweet mare,” said Andrea. “She always has her ears on and she thinks forward.”

Also achieving for the rare breeds was the Dales gelding Nipna Outrageous, who finished reserve in the 2023 Search For A Star supreme championship, owned and ridden by Nicola Clarey.

Nicola bought “Ray” from his breeder Julie Pennell when he was weanling.

By Castlehill Black Jack, Ray is a six-year-old out of the Pennell’s prolific ridden mare Nipna Damask Rose.

“This is his first season and he was only backed last year,” said Nicola.

Meet the other 2023 SEIB SFAS winners

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The reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden heavy horse of the year Cotebrook Sgurr Alasdair has proved he’s no one trick pony after he was spotted out on the hunting field just a few weeks after his glorious win at the NEC.

Gemma Mcclorey’s Shire gelding, who is known at home as Big Al, turned heads when he headed out with the Pytchley for the first time.

Al was bred by the late Allister King of Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Gemma bought him as a three-year-old. Gemma, who is a groom at Middleton Livery Yard, has hunted for several years, but it was her first time taking a Shire.

Al won at HOYS in October under Will Morton, who qualified him at the National Shire Horse show. It was the third time the magnificent eight-year-old had been to the prestigious final.

“He couldn’t attend in 2021 as he came down with a virus, and in 2022 I rode him to finish sixth,” explains Gemma, who also stood champion at Equifest with Al.

Gemma says she decided to hunt Al after his big victory: “He was wrapped in cotton wool before the final, but I always said that if he took the title I’d let him have some fun.

“He was so well behaved and he received lots of compliments on his manners. There are always quite a few riders clinging on for dear life out hunting, but I could ride Al on a nice loose contact as he lolloped along enjoying himself.

“He stood like a rock, too. At one point I had a glass or port in one hand, a sausage in the other, and he just stood solid. He was very proud and his inner showman definitely came out on the hunt field.”

At home, Gemma says Al is her “big pet”.

“He’s like a Labrador,” she adds. “He doesn’t know his strength sometimes, but he’s the most perfect gentleman and he’s a pleasure to do.

“He will do a little bit more hunting this season, as well as some dressage. He really does it all. I feel very lucky to have him.”

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A new heavy horse class – and a new £500 prize – have been announced for the 2023 SEIB Search for a Star (SFAS) series.

The series was founded more than 20 years ago, to offer a “unique competition opportunity” for amateur riders.

It hosts qualifiers shows around the country, offering tickets for the SFAS finals in classes hacks, hunters, working pony, working horses, riding horses, traditional gypsy cobs, show cobs, and the racehorse to riding horse final, at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The ridden open veterans, Pony Club horses and ponies, in-hand mountain and moorlands, heavy horse, plaited horse, plaited pony and mountain and moorland veteran finals, take place at Your Horse Live.

An SEIB spokesman said following a “bumper” season in 2022, the series is “well set for the year ahead” – and 2023 will include a new in-hand heavy horse class. Also new for this year is a £500 prize for the open veteran championship, following the success of this final last year. In the racehorse to riding horse series a new amateur-only competition, run by The Showing Register, will take place on 15 July at Stoneleigh Park, with two HOYS tickets up for grabs.

“Last year a Shire qualified for the Your Horse Live Search for a Star championships and to celebrate this success we have created a class for heavy horse breeds. We are looking forward to seeing more Shires plus Suffolks, Clydesdales and maybe a continental heavy draft horse or two competing,” the spokesman said, adding that the new £500 first prize in the open veteran finals this year will add an “extra dimension” to this class.

“We are delighted to have secured the opportunity to take two more horses forward to the racehorse to riding horse HOYS championship. We have long listened to our competitors in the class and these two extra places will be only open to strictly amateur riders and their thoroughbreds.”

The first SFAS and racehorse to riding horse qualifier takes place on 23 April at Vale View Equestrian, Leicestershire.

“The SEIB Search for a Star judges and stewards will be on hand to help and mentor all competitors at qualifying shows,” said the spokesman.

“In addition to this, Search for a Star has two ‘weekender’ events planned for 2023. These will include a day of training followed by a full qualifying show for HOYS and Your Horse Live, with one in Scotland and one in England.”

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The World Clydesdale Show was held in Scotland — and in Europe – for the first time in its history.

The four-day show took place at P&J Arena in Aberdeen from 20-23 October 2022.

“It’s incredibly magical to be holding this in Scotland – and it’s also really important,” said World Clydesdale Show chief executive Ailsa Clark. “We want to keep our breed going, and to have the show brought to the home of the Clydesdale has been a huge achievement. It would not have been possible without the support of all of the committee and sponsors. We hope the show could return to Scotland again in 2027.”

The overall supreme world champion was crowned on the final day of competition, and the title went to Jim Greenhill’s two-year-old Tulloes Emily, handled by Jim’s daughter Louise. Judges Alistair Christie and Randy Robertson agreed the home-bred filly by Arradoul Balvenie out of Tulloes Lady Jane – who was crowned overall female champion earlier in the day – was the cream of the crop.

“She’s exactly what you want to see in the breed. She fills the eye from nose to tail, she’s correct, has long, silky hair, beautiful action and just oozes breed character,” said Alistair.

The overall female reserve spot went to long-term breeder Ronnie Black’s nine-year-old Collessie Jennifer, shown by Ronnie’s son Peter.

“It’s been a fantastic show and a great advert for our rare breed,” said Peter.

Isla Miller and her father Brian Bisset’s 10-year-old Stobilee Zac lifted the supreme ridden championship title ahead of six other champions, after a fantastic week where Isla and Zac won the open ridden class and took the ridden championship. The former Horse of the Year Show reserve heavy horse champion also won the dressage under Katie Common.

“He loves being in the ring; he’s a showman. He likes people looking at him,” said Isla. “I didn’t come here with any expectations, I thought we’ll go and have a nice time and now here we are, supreme ridden. I’m over the moon, I couldn’t ask for any more.”

The stallion title went to Willow Way Swiper, who was also crowned the best rest-of-the-world-bred horse for Ron Brewster, John Anderson and Helen Carr. Paul and Matthew Bedford’s junior colt champion Thorpe Hill Quick Flash was named overall stallion reserve.

Father and son Paul and Matthew Bedford also took home the champion gelding honours and best European-bred horse, with Thorpe Hill Roy, by Colessie Proclaimer. The Tennant family’s West Forth Solo, by Muirton Sabre, was reserve champion gelding.

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Any breed of horse that frequently measures over 18hh is in the running for fielding the biggest horses in the world. Some of the taller individuals of these heavy horse breeds can measure over 20hh. There is some debate over the largest horse ever recorded, as it depends whether the records refer to height or weight. The tallest horses on record are Shire horse Sampson, foaled in Bedfordshire in 1846, who measured 21.2½hh; while over the pond Belgian Draft gelding Big Jake was measured at just shy of 20.3hh in Wisconsin, a Guinness World Record in 2010.

Largest horse breeds

Five breeds that tend to produce the largest horses are Shire, Clydesdale, Belgian Draft, Percheron and Suffolk.

Shire horse

Renowned for its height and strength, Shires have held various records for largest and tallest horse. They are a fantastic draft horse, and were traditionally used for farm work, pulling brewers’ drays and towing barges. The breed, which originated in Britain, is still used for forestry and as draft horses for a some traditional breweries as well as a leisure horse for riding.

Tallest Shire: the 19th-century giant Sampson, 21.2½hh, who was renamed Mammoth as a four-year-old.

Clydesdale

Typically measures at least 17hh, but is lighter than the other large breeds due to its slighter frame. The Clydesdale is known for its height and strength, but it is also elegant, with a high-stepping showy action. Although the breed originated in Scotland, they are famous in America due to featuring in the Budweiser commercials.

Tallest Clydesdale: Digger, a 19.2hh, who was rescued as a foal and trained as a drum horse for royal parades.

Belgian Draft

Holds one of the records for the world’s largest horse, although more typically they are a maximum of 17hh. The Belgian draft is particularly known for its capacity to pull great weights and have won championships in this sphere. Belgian draft horses were exported throughout Europe and to the US, where it is now known as the American Brabant and is typically slightly more compact than the European version. They can be ridden, but are particularly popular in forestry and farm work, and even pulling sledges.

Tallest Belgian Draft: Big Jake, measuring 20.2¾hh.

Percheron

Perhaps a surprising inclusion in this list as this French-bred draft horse can be as small as 15.2hh. However, most are much taller and have at times held biggest-horse records. They are also among the strongest in terms of their pulling power. They were traditionally used for transport – whether artillery and soldiers during wars, or stagecoaches during peacetime – as well as for agricultural work. Nowadays, they are used for conservation and forestry work, and also as a riding and driving horse.

Tallest Percheron: Dr Le Gear was recorded in 1915 as the world’s biggest horse, standing 21hh and weighing 2,995lb (1,359kg).

Suffolk or Suffolk Punch

Always chesnut (and spelt without the T), Suffolk Punches are another of Britain’s established heavy-horse breeds and originated in the East Anglian county of Suffolk. Traditionally used for farm work as well as transporting artillery in the wars, they are nowadays used for riding as well as driving. They are a little more compact than the Clydesdale and Shire, standing typically at 17hh max, although there are instances of individuals exceeding 17hh, and they are particularly powerfully built. They might not be the very tallest, but they are said to be the oldest heavy horse breed in Britain, dating back to the 16th century.

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As unlikely as it may sound, the substantially built Percheron has more in common with the Arab or Iberian breeds than British heavy horses. Originating in northern France, the Percheron is a large, powerful draft horse, but with its energetic, free-moving stride and lack of feathered limbs, it combines elegance with its great strength.

Although they can be as small as 15.2hh (depending on which country’s studbook regulations you are referring to), most are much taller and have at times held the recorded of the biggest horse in the world. They are also among the strongest horse in terms of pulling power, rivalling other heavies such as the Shire, Clydesdale and Belgian draft. With its unfeathered legs and long stride, the handsome Percheron is an outlier in the world of heavy horse breeds, owing much of its elegance and poise to infusions of Oriental blood.

In this article: Characteristics | Temperament | History | Factfile

Percheron characteristics

According to the British Percheron Horse Society’s breed standard, this equine is a heavy draft horse with great muscular development, combined with style and activity. It should also:

• Have ample bone of good quality, general impression of balance and power
• Be grey or black with a minimum of white. (In the US studbook, chestnuts, roans and bays are also accepted)
• Stallions should be at least 16.2hh by age two. Mares at least 16.1hh.
• Head: wide across the eyes, which should be full and docile; ears medium-size and erect; deep curved cheek; intelligent expression
• Body: strong neck of ample length; full arched crest in case of stallions; wide chest; deep well-laid shoulders. Long and wide hindquarters with no suggestion of goose rump
• Back: strong and short, with wide and deep ribs
• Limbs: strong legs and full second thighs; big knees and broad hocks; heavy, flat bone; short cannons; medium-length cannons; reasonable-size feet with blue horn. Clean limbs without feather
• Action: straight, bold and with a long free stride rather than short and snappy. Hocks well flexed and kept close

Temperament

Percherons are typically docile and good-natured, without being sluggish or dull. They are characteristically bombproof in traffic and can switch without fuss from busy towns to quiet field work. They have great stamina and high energy levels, and are comparatively fast for a draft horse, which enables them to work willingly.

Potted history of the Percheron

The Percheron originated on the grass-rich limestone soil of Le Perche, a former province in Normandy, France, from which it takes its name. The first records for the breed date back to the eighth century. Rumour has it that the Percheron is descended from the Boulonnais horse – another elegant grey draft horse – used in the Roman invasion of Brittany. Others claim that Charles Martel, ruler of Francia, captured Arab and Barb horses in his victory over the Muslims in Poitiers in the 1st century AD and crossed them with his native Norman warhorses to upgrade the latter. History does not record the exact facts, but today’s Percheron is likely to be native French workhorses crossed with the stamina and fineness of Arabs and Iberian horse breeds.

The French pinpoint a stallion named Jean Le Blanc, born in 1824, as the foundation sire for the breed. He was a direct descendant from the Arab horses used in the Crusades. The French government established a stud at Le Pin for the development of army mounts in the early 1800s and a stud book was created in 1883.

Throughout its history, Percheron breeders have adapted this draft horse according to the needs of the day. At times a faster battle charger was required, at others more of a heavier farm animal. The grey colour was favoured by French knights, who were typically mounted aboard a white charger. Later on, light-coloured stagecoach horses were preferred because of their visibility at night. (Today, the British and French studbooks only permit grey and black colours.) The Le Perche breeders complied with current demand. It’s apt that the Percheron Horse Association of America nicknames the breed “the do-all draft horse”.

We do not know exactly when the Percheron first came to England – it may have been via William the Conqueror in 1066. The Americans jumped on the Percheron bandwagon in the 19th century, believing the breed to be ideal as a modern farm animal, and it rapidly became the most popular draft horse breed in the US. Following that, thousands of horses with Percheron blood were then imported to Britain from North America for light draught work.

In 1918, the British Percheron Society was formed. Some 36 stallions and 321 mares were imported from France, plus stock from North America and Canada, and these formed the basis for the first studbook in this country. The British Percheron stands alone from other Percheron breed societies with its own breed standards. As such there are slight differences between the French, North American and British Percheron – for example, the British one is typically between the other two in terms of height.

Few breeds of horse can claim to have had a history as colourful, long, useful and varied as the Percheron. It has been used in so many domains, from ancient warfare to delivering goods, transporting artillery and soldiers in the World Wars to agricultural work. Nowadays, it is still popular on farms, particularly in conservation and forestry work, but also as a riding and driving horse.

Percheron fact file

• A Percheron called Dr Le Gear was recorded in 1915 as being the world’s biggest horse, standing 21hh and weighing 2,995lbs (1,359kg) – the same as a Beluga whale
• In France there are two types of Percheron, the heavy draft and the “diligencier” (stagecoach), which is slightly smaller and lighter
• The breed has been exported all over the world and is especially popular in North and South America, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Australia and even the Falkland Islands.
• Often bred with the thoroughbred in the UK, this cross-breed makes an excellent sport horse or hunter
• Percherons are stars of the show at Disneyland both in France and America, where they have several carriage-driving roles, including pulling Cinderella’s crystal coach
• The breed has twice in its history been at risk of extinction, thanks to war casualties and also the advent of machinery. Thanks largely to conservation efforts by French and US breeders, it is no longer considered at risk in these countries. However, the British Percheron is on the government’s list of at risk equine breeds
• In 1993, it became illegal to dock the tail of a Percheron – this was historically done to prevent the tail becoming entangled in machinery
• Despite the Percheron’s French origins, America has the highest number of the breed for any country

As with any horse, it is impossible to put a figure on how much a Percheron costs. Prices are dependent on age, pedigree, training, temperament, conformation, ability and other factors.

For further information about the breed, visit percheron.org.uk

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A Clydesdale mare who is part of the Bandirran stud’s driving team cemented her career as a ridden horse by lifting the season’s main ridden heavy horse accolade at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Scottish producer Kirsty Aird was in the driving seat of Margo Mcintyre’s Dillars Ideal nine-year-old Glenside Matthew’s Flower Of Scotland (Thistle). The pair qualified at Royal Cheshire County back in June.

“She’s always deserved her chance as she’s a lovely mare with a lot to give,” said Kirsty, who last won at HOYS in 2018 in the M&M workers with Fell stallion Greenholme Emblem. “We knew she could do it but she just needed that little bit of luck.”

Thistle is based with Ron Brewster and his team, and driving is her first career:

“I go and ride her once or twice a week and then we meet up at shows,” said Kirsty. “She has a lovely attitude which makes my job a lot easier.

“She’s very mannerly, comfortable and goes off the leg; she rides like a sports horse.”

Thistle’s trip from Scotland was broken up by a stop at a friend’s house:

“We gave her a rest day so she was fresh for today,” explained Kirsty.

When asked about her plans for the supreme, Kirsty told us to “wait and see for that one.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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A young 18.2hh Clydesdale horse who has been competing in dressage for less than a year came seventh at the British Dressage summer regionals — and won his class at the Area Festivals.

H&H reported in June that Jessica Martin-Legg and Marie Jenkins’ seven-year-old Springside Shiver Me Timber had won their first BD classes, but they have since excelled even more.

Timber finished seventh in the prelim gold at the summer regionals at Port Royal on 25 July, following this up with 11th place in the novice silver class at Sheepgate Equestrian on 11 August, and a win in the novice silver freestyle.

“I was really pleased with him; it was a little bit unexpected!” Jessica told H&H.

“He went a bit green on me at the regionals; he’d never been to Port Royal, and we didn’t like the flower pots, didn’t want to leave the warm up and we were spooky; we had a big spook near the beginning, but he got just under 69%.”

At Sheepgate, things did not go entirely to plan either, Jessica added.

“He kicked out in the medium canter and got four for that, so he made it a bit close for comfort with second place!” she said.

“I’d wanted to come in the top 10 in the normal novice class and we were just outside. He was good, but I’d said all along we had a chance in the freestyle if everything went ok, as that suits him; we can [tailor] the test to his strengths.”

Timber and his Pirates of the Caribbean theme music, shown at a previous competition, proved unbeatable in the novice freestyle, and the pair have qualified for the Area Festival finals in October.

“I was so chuffed with him, and it was really nice because some of my family came too; it was so special,” Jessica said. “I was a bit naughty and told his owner we’d come second to start with, but she’s always chuffed with him anyway as she never thought he’d do anything like this.”

Jessica now plans to make some trips to Arena UK before the championships, to try to avoid any spookiness, adding: “I don’t have much say when a horse that size spooks!”

The plan is then to try to qualify Timber for preliminary gold and novice silver for the next regionals, and maybe move him up to elementary at the end of this year.

“This makes it all worthwhile, all the time you spend on them, and my own horse has been out injured for three years so it’s nice to be out competing, especially doing well!” Jessica said. “He’s amazing.”

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The heavyweight grafters of the equine world were the backbone of industry for centuries, yet are now fighting for survival. Ellie Hughes discovers some working horses bucking the trend with renewed, sustainable purpose

If you chanced upon Nobby on one of his average working days you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time. The 18.3hh Shire is a common sight criss-crossing central London’s parks and green spaces, often dragging a set of harrows behind him. He is one of a team of eight working Shire horses that make up Operation Centaur – an organisation set up to promote working horses in urban spaces in modern times.

Working horses – the heavyweight grafters of the equine world – include many of our most-treasured heavy horse, draught and native breeds. From the Shires and Suffolks that pulled ploughs and fought battles to the coal horses and pit ponies that powered the industrial revolution, these horses have shaped Britain’s physical, cultural and economic landscape for centuries. But as machines took over and jobs for horses dwindled, so the numbers of some of these breeds, especially the heavier ones, have slumped alarmingly.

According to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), which monitors the fortunes of endangered farm animals, the Suffolk is on the priority list in category one (critical), the Clydesdale is in category three (vulnerable), while the Shire is category four (at risk).

What does the future hold for these horses? Do working horses really still have valid roles in today’s society or are we saving them purely for ornamental purposes?

According to Tom Dixon, head horseman at Operation Centaur, the demand for horsepower is growing year on year.

“An increasing number of London councils are recognising the value of horses and are using them for sensitive environmental management work,” he says. “Unlike tractors, horses are low impact – they don’t compact the ground and they are much better for flora and fauna. Just a month or so ago we discovered a species of wildflower in a central London park that ecologists thought had disappeared for good.”

Two hundred miles west, in Port Talbot, south Wales, horse logger Polly Williams and her Ardennes gelding Hamish and Welsh cob Archi are working around the clock to shift 320 tonnes of timber from a 20-acre plot in the Margam Forest, where a selective thinning programme is underway.

In this area of the country, horses are much more adept than machines at wending their way through forests and negotiating steep terrain.

“Much of the land in south and west Wales is impossible to access with machinery,” says Polly, who undertakes all kinds of work with her horses, from logging to ploughing and potato ridging to bracken rolling.

The latter, in particular, is a practice that is “considerably better for short- and

long-term conservation if it’s carried out by horses,” she explains.

Bracken management with horses involves dragging a roller over the bracken to weaken it, which then fools it into thinking it has released its sap, allowing it to die back naturally without the need for heavy machinery or pesticides.

“Unlike a tractor, which obliterates everything in its path, you can steer a horse around trees and flowers, avoid ground-nesting birds and young saplings will just spring back into place,” continues Polly. “If you do the same thing over consecutive years you can see a real difference in the amount of regrowth [which is far less].”

Frankie Woodgate runs a commercial woodland management business, Weald Woodscapes, and undertakes work for councils, environmental organisations and private landowners in Kent and Sussex with her four horses – two Ardennes and two Brabants.

“Ancient woodlands, in particular, contain so many vital resources in terms of biodiversity, timber and carbon [in the soil], all of which need desperately to be preserved,” she says.

Organisations such as the Forestry Commission, National Trust, Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trusts are increasingly employing the services of horses to manage environmentally sensitive and difficult-to-access sites, and their skilled handlers are tapping into a boom in eco-spirited enterprise.

Chairman of British Horse Loggers Kate Mobbs-Morgan, who also runs her own logging business, Rowan Working Horses, says: “The buzz words at the moment are low impact and sustainability, so everybody’s looking at alternatives to machines. There is currently a strong interest in the industry, which is good news because the future of some of our heavy horse breeds depends on the demand for them to perform working roles.”

At Higher Biddacott Farm in Devon, Jonathan Waterer produces organic wholemeal flour from an ancient wheat grain with the help of his team of Shire horses. He has coined the slogan, “Flour by horsepower”, and sells his grain to a local miller for bread.

Jonathan, who uses four or six horses at a time to maximise productivity, is the only farmer in the country to rely solely on horsepower and he has been farming in this way since the early 1980s.

“I learnt my trade on a ranch in Canada where everything was done using Percherons,” he says. “When I settled back in England I decided I wanted to farm in the same way using Shires, so I bought a motorised four-wheeled cart, a corn drill dating back to the 1930s and a 1963 combine harvester. I also use the horses for weddings and funerals, and I take in youngsters to break in for riding and driving, but the farming side is still a reasonably profitable business.”

Jonathan uses horses at every stage – from cultivation through to harvesting. “Farming organically with heavy horses is kind to the land, conserves the soil and is beneficial to the environment,” he says.

Some breeds of horses are better suited to certain jobs than others – stockier breeds like Ardennes Brabants and Welsh cobs – can nip in and out of trees and under low canopies, while taller Shires and Suffolks are more suited to agricultural work, where their longer legs allow them to cover ground more quickly.

“There is very much a place for working horses in both forestry and agriculture, but we need to make sure we have good breeding stock,” warns Kate Mobbs-Morgan. “Nowadays Shires are usually bred for the show ring, so they tend to be taller and leggier than is ideal for a working horse. There are certainly lots of jobs for other native breeds like Suffolks, Welsh cobs and Dales ponies [who are also on the Rare Breeds critical list].”

Farmers and land owners have come a long way in recognising the important work horses can do in certain environments, but just as important is having a skilled next generation of handlers ready to take over their reins.

“There are young, enthusiastic people coming through, but there is a general lack of awareness about the role of working horses and woodland management forestry and agriculture in the 21st century,” says Frankie Woodgate. “But the national psyche is shifting and people are beginning to realise that we need to give back to the environment and not just take from it – and low-impact management is central to this.”

Opportunities for working horses, it seems, are there for the taking. How the next chapter ends for our heavy horse and draught breeds is – like the chapters before – very much in our hands.

Not just a plough horse

Heavy horse breeds are becoming an increasingly common sight out and about under saddle – and are holding their own, according to enthusiasts.

The hashtag #notjustaploughhorse has been popping up on social media, used by riders like Bruce Langley Kim, whose Suffolk stallion, Jensen, has been cross-country schooling and hunts with the Cottesmore, and Sally Bates, who competes her two Suffolk mares – Dusty and Miri – in affiliated dressage.

“In my opinion Suffolks are hugely underrated as ridden horses,” says Sally. “They have the most incredible temperament and work ethic, and they are so trainable and level-headed, which is a huge asset in the arena.”

While Sally has contested Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, prelim dressage and competed in endurance rides, her son, Toby, jumps the mares and has his sights set on hunter trials for Dusty.

“So long as you get them fit they love any job you give them,” she continues.

Fellow Suffolk aficionado Claire Kilburn (pictured, below) admitted that nerves had almost caused her to hang up her boots until she chanced upon Ernie, her 17hh Suffolk gelding.

“A Suffolk has all the advantages of a big steady cob, but without the feathers or the need to rug or clip,” she says. “As the average weight of the population is increasing, I really do think there is a place for them.”

Sally adds: “Breeding responsibly to meet this increased demand is going to be the key to their long-term sustainability.”

Saving Scotland’s treasure

While the future of some heavy horse breeds is looking positive, for others there is still a large question mark over their long-term sustainability.

Clydesdales, famed for hauling Budweiser beer, are on the verge of what many call the “vortex of extinction” in the very place where they were first bred – Scotland.

When Scottish graphic designer and leisure rider Janice Kirkpatrick (pictured) set her heart on owning a Clydesdale, she was saddened to learn that there were no black bloodlines – the most sought after – left in the country.

“Genetically it is so important to preserve our native breeds,” she says. “Once we lose a gene pool it’s gone forever.”

Janice imported a black gelding from Oregon and two black fillies from Canada. She has since set up a small stud in the Clyde Valley and has made a film for Canada’s Documentary Channel about her quest to save the Clydesdale, entitled Saving the Greatest Horse. While demand is low for Clydesdales as working horses, Janice believes their value as driving and riding horses should not be underestimated.

“Clydesdales are the most beautiful breed – they are gentle, clever and will look after you all day long,” she says.

Janice believes it is partly the responsibility of breed societies to help secure the futures of vulnerable breeds, especially after the disbandment of the Working Horse Trust in 2017.

“Organisations like the RBST and individuals like Tullis Matson of Stallion AI Services are doing brilliant work, promoting and preserving bloodlines, but breed societies need to do more,” she says.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 3 December 2020

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A Clydesdale foal born at a heavy horse centre struggling with no income during the coronavirus pandemic has proved a ray of light in hard times.

Viv Cockburn and her daughter Anna, who run the not-for-profit Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre in Northumberland, were delighted to welcome a healthy colt to their Clydesdale mare Primrose last Sunday (10 May).

Viv told H&H the foal is the first born to 10-year-old Primrose, sired by her childhood sweetheart, rare black Clydesdale horse Teddy, who was also born and brought up at the centre.

“Our vets were brilliant and we tried everything but just couldn’t get her in foal,” she said. “Then last summer, Northumberland Police were looking for a new horse. We thought we’d just run her with Teddy and see what happened, and the police said if she didn’t take, they’d consider her – and sure enough, she took. She obviously didn’t fancy being in the police.”

The foaling itself was straightforward, Viv said, although on a slightly chaotic night as the centre also had a pig due to farrow, a sheep lambing and a Welsh pony showing signs of colic at the same time.

And his arrival is good news for the breed, which is classed as vulnerable by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

“The Suffolk is in a bad way but there’s a lot of activity going on there, which is really good, but the Clydesdale is teetering a bit,” Viv said. “It seems a lot of mares are bought for riding and not breeding, which has an impact.”

The centre was set up some six years ago as the family had always had heavy horses, and noticed that even non-equestrians loved to see them.

The Cockburns took on a dilapidated steading, which is now home to 17 horses, as well as rare breed sheep and pigs, and two years ago earned RBST approval.

Their aim, as well as protecting and preserving the heavy horses, is to allow access to them to the public who may not otherwise have had a chance. They can not only meet the horses and watch professionals at work when the vets visit, but also get involved, such as driving them.

“There was a man here in his 80s a couple of years ago, propping up a wall; he said ‘I’ve just done something I never thought I’d do again’,” Viv said. “He’d been ploughing, like he used to at work.

“It’s all about being hands-on and learning about how important heavy horses were in our history. We also work with people who have Alzheimer’s, to help bring back memories.”

The centre has of course had to close its doors during lockdown, and is not eligible for any of the government help on offer. And as well as having the animals to feed, Viv was hit by a vet’s bill after the colt’s birth as he needed plasma administered twice.

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“We applied for government support but we’re not eligible for anything,” she said. “My husband drives a lorry delivering food and we’re using his wages to keep the centre going. We’ve always relied on donations for people to come as we wanted to keep it accessible for everyone.

“We started a fundraising page as we had some regulars saying they were thinking about us and wanted to donate, and it’s so lovely so many people have donated as we don’t know when we’ll be able to re-open.

“It’s so nice to have the foal as everything is so awful at the moment.”

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An equestrian centre has invested in a special kind of horsepower to help beat the winter mud and bring back a traditional way of working to the area.

Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre, based near Bourton-on-Water, Gloucestershire, welcomed 16hh 11-year-old Belgian draft mare Belle last week.

Leanne Launchbury, who owns the centre with her husband Justin, said the idea came after weeks of heavy rain when they were unable to use tractors in their fields owing to the mud.

“We weren’t able to transport hay out to horses in the fields as the wheels got stuck in the mud,” she told H&H. “Belle had been imported from Belgium and we bought her from a nearby breeding centre which has a herd of Belgian drafts. She wasn’t suitable for breeding so we decided to buy her to work on the land.

“We have a Shire, Roo, who we bought a few years ago to work but he hasn’t been sound enough to work so after another wet winter we were keen to try something else.”

Leanne said Belgian drafts are rare in the UK and they make good work horses owing to their build.

“Being that bit smaller in height but broader and wider than some of the other working breeds she’s ideal for pulling a harrow and getting into smaller spaces, without being as deep as a tractor or quad bike,” she said.

“By bringing horsepower back to our yard we can demonstrate a traditional method of agriculture to visitors, support a rare breed, and make sure we don’t get stuck ever again. It’s something we’re immensely proud to be doing.”

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Leanne said Belle is broken to ride and will also be used in the riding centre, which offers tourist rides and hosts the Cotswold Riding Opportunities Project, a not-for-profit scheme that uses interaction with animals to help children grow in confidence.

“Belle is built like a tank but she doesn’t know her size or use it against you, a child could handle her. She takes everything in her stride and we’re thrilled with her. She’s a very sweet mare,” she said.

“A horse-drawn harrow is due to arrive soon so she’ll start by levelling the arena, and then she’ll be used to harrow as well as taking hay out to the fields. If it works out well we could mean us buying another Belgian draft to join Belle in the future.”

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A Clydesdale stallion owner has set out to prove that Suffolks aren’t the only heavies who can tackle a course of solid fences.

Lauren Champion, owner of 18.3hh Clydesdale horse Hector, was inspired after reading H&H’s story about Suffolk stallion Jensen and his owner Bruce Langley-McKim, who recently completed a one-day event at Burghley.

“After seeing your article, I decided to take my Clydesdale cross-country schooling with Richard Lucas, organised by my local riding club,” she said. “He did exceptionally well and everyone loved him.”

Lauren more usually jumps her 17.2hh Irish mare, but had to find a new ride after it was discovered she was in foal.

“It gave me the chance to ride Hector more — I have taken him hunting but we usually go past the jumps,” Lauren said. “I had never jumped him before I took him cross-country schooling, but Richard had put up a new beginner’s course which was a few logs on the floor, so I thought we could give that a go.

“Richard being Richard kept going with it though and he had us jumping fences the normal ponies would. Hector jumped everything put him front of him.”

Despite his inexperience, the eight-year-old, who is used as a breeding stallion, was happy to tackle steps up and down, natural obstacles and ditches.

“He was a bit reluctant to go in the water but when he finally did, he launched right into the middle,” Lauren said. “I think everyone was expecting me to fall off but I made sure I stayed on — otherwise my air jacket would have gone off and that would be £20 down the drain!”

Lauren said she now hoped to try more jumping with Hector, and wants to enter a pairs so she can use another horse to give him confidence cross-country.

“The hunting season is coming up so I will use him to do that, only this time I might take him over the jumps rather than round them,” she said.

“He is a good lad and these heavies need to get out there and do more. Some people think you can just hack them, but they can do whatever you want them to do.

“Clydesdales are quite versatile and Hector is no kickalong — one squeeze and you’re off,” she added.

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The mighty Clydesdale horse is to be celebrated as a prestigious show is set to come to the UK for the first time.

The World Clydesdale Show is to be held at the P&J Live arena in Aberdeen, Scotland on 20 to 23 October 2022.

The show, which was first held in 2007, has previously run in the United States and Canada with the 2018 show taking place in Madison, Wisconsin. A spokesman said the organising committee had received “overwhelming” support for plans to hold the show in Scotland.

Classes are open to Clydesdales from around the world with more than 400 horses expected to attend. It is planned that 50 classes and 15 championships will run over the four days, including in-hand, ridden, driving and dressage sections.

“Attracting international visitors, the World Clydesdale Show 2022 will promote Clydesdale breeding in the UK, and further raise the profile of both the show and the society through national and international coverage, and encouraging new audiences to learn more about the breed,” said the spokesman.

“The committee considers all generations of the Clydesdale community and the public to be paramount to the success of the preservation of the breed and will therefore be putting on a number of youth classes to ensure opportunities exist to bring the younger members of the community together with the experienced members to encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience.”

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Clydesdale Horse Society secretary Ian Roy said the society is delighted to support the team running the show.

“The society is keen and committed to giving the organising team committee every encouragement and every support possible, particularly with marketing and promotion, as they go about their business of bringing this prestigious show back to the home of Clydesdales here in Scotland in 2022 — and we wish them every success in their efforts to do this,” said Mr Roy.

The schedule and ticket information will follow at a later date.

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The arrival of a foal is always a cause for celebration, but when it’s the first of a new breeding programme for an equine that the Rare Breed Survival Trust deems to be “at risk”, that’s extra special.

Following in the well-trodden footsteps of a certain famous America brewery that breeds heavy horses, Britain’s Robinsons Brewery has set up its own breeding programme for Shire horses.

The brewery welcomed the arrival of their first Shire foal, Hillgate Henrietta-Anne, at 11.17pm on 27 April. Her dam Horsemans Princess Giselle foaled successfully in a field owned by the Robinsons family, and both mare and foal are “happy and healthy” as shown by these pictures.

“She is a bay filly foal with four white legs and a blaze and she is absolutely perfect,” said Robinson Brewery’s head horse person Helen Preece.

“We now have our own registered prefix, ‘Hillgate’, with the Shire Horse Society, which all future foals will inherit.”

Members of the Robinsons family, along with nearby farm owner Jonathan Worthington and head grooms Helen and Lisa, were on 24-hour foal watch in the run up to the important birth. The mare’s waters broke at 10.58pm and the foal arrived less than 20 minutes later.

“We are all so proud to be preserving and promoting the Shire horse breed – something Robinsons have been passionate about since the beginning of their business time,” added Lisa.

“The team and I are excited to welcome the special new edition to the family and are honoured to be involved with the beginning of a new era for Robinsons.”

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Shires are in the “at risk” category on the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s watchlist, with only 240 Shire foals registered in 2017.

Based in Stockport, Robinsons Brewery dates back to 1838 and owns around 260 tenanted and managed pubs, inns and hotels across the north west.

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Working horses are helping to create natural leaky dams as part of work to protect a Yorkshire area from flooding.

Harden Moor is one of the natural flood management sites along the River Aire.

Funding for the £500,000 pilot programme, part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, has come from Leeds City Council and is being run in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA).

Ghalm, an eight-year-old north Swedish horse, has been recruited to help the team move large trees.

The team are managing the land to reduce water run-off, through planting more trees including native oaks, creating wetland and installing leaky barriers to slow the flow of water into Harden Beck, which is a major tributary to the River Aire.

This will mean the landscape will be able to hold more water in times of heavy rainfall, so reducing the risk of flooding in villages and towns downstream, including Bingley, Saltaire, Shipley, Esholt and Apperley Bridge.

Ghalm is one of a team of horses who have worked at other natural flood management sites including Hardcastle Crags in Calderdale.

“We are delighted that this tradition is now being extended to the work at Harden Moor and we are very grateful for the opportunity to work with Ghalm as it will be a huge help to us when delivering our flood alleviation measures,” said EA project executive Chris Milburn.

“This work at Harden Moor will contribute to local flood risk reduction and wider environmental benefits, slowing the flow of water locally and to downstream communities.”

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Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council, said the improvements are sensitive to the landscape and existing habitats.

“It includes blocking drainage features and constructing leaky dams to reduce run-off and surface erosion, as well as creating woodland areas and planting sphagnum to increase water absorption,” said Cllr Ross-Shaw.

“This land management maximises technique uses natural regeneration and re-wetting of heathland areas so that the landscape can hold more water in times of flood.

“The use of horse logging is a really environmentally sensitive way to move felled and fallen timber while reducing damage to flora and watercourses without pollution, so it’s great that we can use Ghalm in this way on our moorland to benefit areas downstream from Harden which include large areas of the Bradford district before the river reaches Leeds.”

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Redwings Horse Sanctuary has paid tribute to an “icon” who has been put down aged 10. Major, a 17.3hh part-bred Percheron, was put down on 22 January at the charity’s Oxhill visitor centre, Warwickshire, owing to a number of health issues.

Major, who was born at a rare breeds country park, arrived at the sanctuary in 2012 with his mother Duchess and “surrogate father” Fusilier after the park closed down.

A spokesman for Redwings said Major appeared healthy on arrival but in 2013 was diagnosed with neurological deficits.

“Major had issues with co-ordination, particularly in his hind limbs, and significant ataxia, but his condition was successfully managed at Redwings for many years,” said the spokesman.

“In August 2017 evidence of ringbone and sidebone in both front feet was discovered and he was also diagnosed with degenerative joint disease (DJD) in his right hock so it was decided that he should retire from the adoption scheme. This meant that while his adopters could still continue to sponsor him and visit him, he would no longer be available to new sponsors.”

The spokesman said Major spent time at Redwings’ equine hospital in Norfolk following his retirement so vets could keep a “close eye” on him and decide the best course of treatment.

“As you can imagine caring for a such a large horse with ataxia and DJD presented quite the challenge. Fortunately with medication and remedial farriery to help support his feet, his condition stabilised and he was able to return to Redwings Oxhill in October 2017,” said the spokesman.

“He lived very happily in his herd and enjoyed meeting all his fans again, but sadly over the last few months it became apparent that his arthritic issues were worsening and we were no longer able to keep him comfortable with medication.”

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The spokesman said Redwings has been overwhelmed by the support from the public since announcing the news.

“Towering at 17.3hh, Major certainly wasn’t difficult to spot, yet despite his formidable size he was a real gentle giant and had learnt that by lowering his head he could receive lots of tickles behind his ears from his visitors – his absolute favourite thing,” said the spokesman.

“To lose such a stunning and friendly horse has been desperately sad for his supporters and his carers, especially so soon after the loss of fellow retired adoption star Dylan. We’d like to thank everyone for all their kind thoughts.”

A memorial fund has been set up in Major’s name and anyone who wishes to make a donation should call 01508 481000.

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How many roads must a horse walk down? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind…

Budweiser has released its 2019 Super Bowl advertisement, the UK adaptation of which is due to launch this week (2 February).

The video, the latest in the beer brand’s series of Super Bowl ads featuring the famous Clydesdale horses, is aimed at bringing Budweiser’s “long-term commitment to renewable electricity to the biggest stage in the world”.

Titled Wind Never felt Better, the commercial shows an eight-strong team of Clydesdales pulling a dray through a landscape of crop fields and wind turbines, set to Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind.

It was designed to publicise manufacturer AB InBev’s pledge to brew using 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

Budweiser’s European marketing director Rowan Chidgey said: “This is a truly historic moment for Budweiser, as we’re bringing our pledge to brew with 100% renewable electricity to a global audience at one of the most talked-about stages in the world – the Super Bowl.

“Every year we produce some of the most ground-breaking adverts, and this year will be one of our biggest yet. We’re proud in the UK to say that we stand by the global commitment to offer our customers high quality beer that’s been brewed sustainably, so that people can continue to enjoy it for thousands of years in the future.”

Continues below…

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In December 2018, AB InBev UK signed the largest unsubsidised electricity deal in UK history with Europe’s largest solar energy company, Lightsource BP to buy 100% renewable electricity for its UK operations. The 15-year contract will enable Lightsource BP to build new solar farms, providing AB InBev’s two main breweries with enough electricity to power the equivalent of 18,000 homes.

To “further emphasise” Budweiser’s commitment, the company is donating “clean” electricity to Atlanta to power the city for the week of the Super Bowl, which takes place on 3 February.

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A Shire stallion who saved a mare’s life after she became stuck in a six-hour ordeal has been named animal hero of the year.

Beau was given the title at the national Animal Hero Awards 2018, which took place on Thursday evening (6 September) in London.

Beau came to the aid of Shire mare Beatrice who had become cast in a stable and owners Donald MacIntyre and Jane Lipington were unable to pull her to her feet.

Donald found Beatrice stuck on the stable floor at 8.30am on 19 January at their farm in Bath and immediately called the vet.

Jane told H&H: “Beau and Beatrice had been on the yard together and had access to stables overnight. When Donald found Beatrice on the floor she had obviously been down a while – we could see she wasn’t in a good spot.

“We tried everything and used machinery to try and pull her across the stable but we couldn’t get her up, she gave up more and more. The vet said we could put her out of her misery or give her a few more hours with painkillers and steroids and leave it up to Beatrice.”

Beatrice’s temperature dropped and her heartbeat increased as the owners spent four hours trying to get the mare to her feet while Beau, who was in the next stable, had been “quietly watching” the situation.

“We went to let Beau out for some haylage and instead of going to eat which would be his normal reaction, he marched straight over to Beatrice, put his head over the partition between them and started nibbling her neck and ears,” said Jane.

“As we were watching he then got hold of her headcollar and lifted her head. We began to realise something a bit special was happening. He kept nipping her mane and got hold of her neck and pulled her whole front end off the floor. Everyone got in and pushed and pulled and got her up.

“The vet couldn’t believe it – she really didn’t think Beatrice was going to survive, everything was closing down. We couldn’t have got her out alive without Beau. For whatever reason Beau just knew she had to get off the floor.”

A month after the incident Jane and Donald discovered Beatrice was in foal and welcomed a healthy colt, Angus on 30 March.

“We knew nothing about the awards – they rang up and we were told he had been nominated and the panel had chosen him as the animal hero of the year. Unfortunately we couldn’t take him – he would have loved all the attention.”

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Jane and Donald attended the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Amanda Holden.

“It was just an amazing night about compassion to animals,” said Jane “People need to realise how intelligent these animals are – they just speak a different language and we need to learn their language. They have emotions, they feel compassion and all these things that we feel.”

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British baking icon Mary Berry learnt to plough in the series finale of her latest cookery show.

The former Great British Bake Off star visited Robert Sampson’s farm in Hampshire to learn about working horses and how they are still relevant in today’s world.

Mary, who admitted she “loves” horses, helped to harness Percherons Edith and Norse before heading out to the fields and trying her hand at ploughing.

“It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks,” said Mary. “Walking the dog is one thing, but two tonnes of determined workhorse is quite another.”

After a successful first furrow, Mary headed back to the kitchen to whip up a leek and stilton quiche for lunch.

“Some traditions are definitely worth saving,” said Mary. “Whether it is recipes from the past or an old-fashioned way of farming the ingredients.

“Like many of the horses he breeds, Robert was born on the farm and he has never strayed from the old ways of working the land.”

The Sampsons have been breeding and working Percherons since 1951 and frequently take part in heavy horse driving trials and ploughing matches.

“My father never fully mechanised, he worked tractors along with horses and vice versa, so dad never got rid of the horses when everybody else did,” said Robert, who ploughs with up to eight horses at a time

“I was brought up with them, they sort of grow on you somehow.

“There are days when you think ‘I don’t know why I’m doing this at all’ but it is a joy. If it goes well there’s nothing better.”

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Mary also met Robert’s farrier sons Tom and Fred in their forge and learnt how they hand-make shoes for carthorses and what it takes to become a farrier.

Fred explained the skill and learning that goes into becoming a farrier, while Tom demonstrated how they hammer bars of steel into shape.

In return, Mary promised to make then a banoffee pie to enjoy with a cup of tea.

Watch the full episode of Classic Mary Berry

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For the first time in 59 years, a horse exhibited by a brewery has stood champion at the National Shire Horse Show.

Mojo, a four-year-old owned by the 180-year-old family firm Robinsons Brewery, beat 30 other contenders to claim the in-hand gelding title at the event (March 16-18).

The last time a brewery won at the national championships was in 1959 when Youngs & Co topped the line-up with Wandle Majestic.

The annual show takes place every March and was hosted this year at Staffordshire Showground. More than 250 Shire horses from across Europe took part in the event which celebrates the breed’s unique history and heritage.

“The win shows the effort and dedication of the current horsewomen at the brewery, Helen Preece and Lisa Trotter, who with the brewery are fantastic ambassadors for the Shire breed,” said Victoria Clayton, secretary of the Shire Horse Society.

Another Robinson’s Brewery-owned horse, eight-year-old Bobek, finished third in the single trade turnout class. Neither horse had competed at national level before.

“Our Shires are the heart and soul of Robinsons Brewery. We are so incredibly proud of Mojo, and the entire stables team, for this amazing achievement of winning national champion,” said the company’s brand development manager John Robinson.

Mojo joined the brewery last year, having been bought from York-based Shire and Clydesdale breeders Paul and Matthew Bedford.

“He has delighted and surprised us every day with his kind nature and abilities. Mojo will be four this month (March) so he is still not fully grown yet and is already a giant.

“To have the best Shire gelding in the country working for Robinsons is fantastic and we are very lucky to have him. Special thanks to Helen and Lisa for looking after them so well and making them the horses they are today,” John added.

The brewery has kept Shire horses for over 100 years, apart from an interlude during the First World War when all its horses were sold into war duties.

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Robinsons’ Shires would traditionally deliver their ales — which include brews such as Unicorn and Old Tom — to local inns and hostelries as well as helping to transport bottles and cases between Unicorn and Hempshaw Brook Breweries in the 1950s.

Today Bobek and Mojo are among the few remaining working Shires in the British brewing industry and are a treasured part of Stockport and the brewery’s heritage.

When they aren’t in the show ring, the horses can be found at Robinsons Visitors’ centre, as well as making guest appearances at trade shows, promotional events, anniversaries, pub openings, celebrations and country fairs.

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A working horse is helping to protect a West Yorkshire community from flooding.

Nathan joined volunteers to move large tree trunks across streams and brooks to slow the flow of water from the hillside into the main river in Calder Valley.

Around 30 volunteers from environmental charity Slow The Flow Calderdale joined Nathan at Hardcastle Crags on 9 July to improve the flood defences.

Bede Mullen from the charity told H&H Nathan was able to move the tree trunks “with ease”, and this would have taken much longer with mechanical winches.

These help to slow the flow of water down, preventing surges of water in areas known to flood after heavy rain.

Volunteer coordinator Adrian Horton said they are “very grateful” for the loan of Nathan, who was funded for the day through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In 2015 the Boxing Day floods hit more than 3,000 properties in Calder Valley and caused an estimated £150million damage. It was also affected by two other floods in 2012.

Simon Stokes, Calderdale’s natural flood management lead for the Environment Agency, said the volunteers have been working “tirelessly” since 2015 on flood prevention projects.

“We welcome the chance to work in partnership with the group and the National Trust,” he said.

“They have made a significant contribution to flood alleviation through identifying and developing natural flood management projects throughout the River Calder area.”

Cllr Barry Collins, from Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, added using natural methods is one of the ways the council is working to reduce the risk of flooding.

“Our newly appointed natural flood management specialist is working closely with other organisations and the local community to develop exciting natural projects, and the work at Hardcastle Crags is one example of this,” he said.

“We really appreciate the commitment, enthusiasm and valuable contribution of local volunteers in supporting this important work.”

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A rare Suffolk foal is capturing hearts at a Dorset sanctuary.

Lilly Rose, who was born on 12 June at Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, is helping educate visitors about the rare breed.

Taya Street from the centre told H&H it has gone from having no Suffolk horses to three in a matter of months.

“We were looking for a Suffolk punch at the start of the winter,” said Taya, explaining that the park had recently lost its old Suffolk due to old age.

“We found a pair together in Liverpool — Abby Rose, who was in foal, and another Suffolk named Uno.

“We brought back Uno to work on the farm and by the time we got back we thought ‘we can’t leave the other behind’.

“We went and brought Abby Rose back and are able to offer them a home for life.”

Abby Rose and her foal (Lilly Rose) are both doing well. Once she is weaned, Abby Rose will return to work at the farm.

Taya added that while these are working horses, staff do hope they will breed again.

The centre promotes heavy horses and educates visitors about the history of the breeds.

“Working heavy horses aren’t an everyday sight these days,” she said, adding it is important to teach children about why these horses are special.

“To them these are just horses — they have no idea of the history.

“It is a real eye-opener for them. We plant the seed of interest to the young generation in the hope they do come on board.”

The Suffolk is rarer than the giant panda, with an estimated 73-75 breeding mares left in the UK.

The Rare Breed Survival Trust and Suffolk Horse Society are planning significant investment in genetic research to help preserve the breed.

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The Suffolk Punch Trust also welcomed a filly in April — Colony Dot, known as “Little Dot”.

​“We have had other foals born this year, but this is the first one belonging to the trust, so we are very excited,” said Suffolk Punch Trust manager Tracey Pettitt.

Dorothy will stay with the Suffolk Punch Trust breeding program to help boost the numbers of this critically endangered horse.

Emma Grace, stud groom at the trust, said she Little Dot is “very kind natured” with a laid-back temperament.

“Within an hour of labour she was born and up on her toes, she is a shy but curious little filly; often wondering what is going on and sticking her nose into places,” she said.

“Visitors are so pleased and excited, we are over the moon.”

Jackey Phillips, who has been involved with the breed since the 1990s, has started a Suffolk breeding programme with her two mares.

Sadly her first homebred died this year due to a heart problem, but Mrs Phillips has had confirmation that this was not congenital or genetic and hopes to breed from the mare again. She is also hoping to have a foal from her other mare next year.

“We as Britons — as humans — owe them an awful lot,” she told H&H.

“They were pulling gun carriages for us in both wars and keeping the country going with farming — it would be criminal if we did not keep our end up and try to keep the breed going.

“We would lose something precious if we lost the Suffolk Punch.”

For more news on Suffolk horses and what recent shocking statistics mean in real terms, don’t miss this week’s H&H — out Thursday (6 July).

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A heavy horse charity is issuing a desperate final plea for new premises as their lease draws to an end.

The Working Horse Trust has been based on the Eridge Estate in Tunbridge Wells for 22 years, but they were told in 2012 that they would not be able to stay.

Although their landlords have extended the lease until September this year, the Trust’s director Jo Ambrose said new homes for the charity’s 10 horses will need to be found by July.

“We are facing a looming deadline, we’ve been looking at places but nothing suitable has turned up,” said Jo.

“The big issue from our point of view has been the size of our horses and the way we keep them [they are usually kept in an open barn over winter]. Standard stabling at livery yards or former riding schools just isn’t suitable.”

Jo said that premises with large livestock barns were becoming harder to find, as the relaxation of planning laws meant many had been converted.

“At the moment we’re not saying no to anything, we’re so desperate,” she said. “Ideally we just need around 25 acres of grazing and a building we can work with.

“We thought we’d find something run down we could do up, but so many have now been converted into commercial units or dwellings.”

She added that in order to retain its pool of experienced volunteers, the charity was trying to remain in the Kent/Suffolk region.

“We have to be mindful of how far our current team will be able to travel,” she added. “There’s no point sending horses out if there’s no one there to take care of them.”

As an emergency measure, the Trust is now considering temporarily rehoming some of the horses to buy more time to continue the search.

“Some of our horses are on the wrong side of retirement age and I am hoping a sanctuary might be able to take them. I’d prefer to keep some of them together as they have been together all their lives,” she said. “Five are in that situation and five are younger horses who are still active and need working homes.

“They include a matching pair of Ardennes that we bred and it would be great if there was someone knowledgeable and experienced with these horses who could take them together.”

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The Working Horse Trust was set up to safeguard the future of threatened heavy draught breeds.

As well as open days, aimed to promote the breeds to the public, the horses are also used for agricultural work — recent examples have included bracken control, harrowing the Royal Botanic Gardens’ wildflower meadows and timber extraction.

The Working Horse Trust can be contacted on 01892 750105.

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The owner of a legendary barge horse has paid tribute to his treasured companion.

15hh Welsh section D Taffy died on Tuesday (4 October) aged 20.

Taffy had been with the Brind family, who run Tiverton Canal Co, since 2002 when he was bought as a six-year-old.

Philip Brind told H&H about Taffy’s remarkable life.

“I think what made him special for a lot of people was that he was a bit of a media star,” said Mr Brind.

“He appeared on the BBC’s Inside Out and Escape To The Country. In 2012 he represented Devon, the Grand Western Canal and Tiverton Canal Co by appearing in the winning entry for the BBC Countryfile calendar competition in a photo by Sarah Williams.

“He also went on to complete the bicentenary celebrations of the Grand Western Canal by pulling an old coal barge into the Tiverton basin.”

Mr Brind explained how much Taffy enjoyed his work.

“He hated to see the boat going out without him — it pulled him apart,” he said.

“Taffy loved his work and was genuinely excited when he came back after the winter.

“He was lovely to be around and had a genuine affinity with people, as well as enjoying a Polo or two.

“It’s very clear he meant so much to so many people — I’m so proud of him.”

Taffy had started losing condition and died following a short age-related illness.

“The Vale Veterinary Group has been brilliant,” said Mr Brind, who runs Tiverton Canal Co alongside his wife Jacqueline, his daughter Becky Poxam and her husband Dave.

“One reason why people loved Taffy so much is because he represented one of the last horse-drawn barges in the UK and for many people he was the first heavy horse they had met.

“There are only three other horse-drawn barge companies left in England wand Wales.”

Tiverton Canal Company keeps two to three horses at a time, working in rotation.

“We are on the look-out for another experienced horse with four white socks, a Shire or similar,” added Mr Brind.

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The birth of the first Boulonnais colt foal in Gloucestershire earlier this week helps secure the future for the rare French draught breed in Britain.

The foal was born at 1am on Monday (13 June) from a mare, Maya 119, who was imported from France in February by Rachel Hossle.

He has been named ‘Gideon Primus d’Angleterre’ meaning ‘noble friend first of England’.

“I feel overwhelmed and delighted and hope he will do the breed proud,” said Ms Hossle, who has spent the past month sleeping overnight at the stables awaiting his arrival as her yard is three miles away from her home.

The colt, the 13th Boulonnais to arrive in the UK, will be kept entire as there are no other stallions in the country.

Ms Hossle bought her first Boulonnais mare last May unseen from a dealer in Devon after seeing pictures on social media.

She is the founder of the Boulonnais Draught Horse Society UK.

“I want to promote and preserve the breed in the UK as all-rounders. They can jump, do endurance, are wonderful to hack out, drive or pull a plough,” she said.

Described as “the white marble horse”, the French breed is an agile heavy horse lighter than a Shire.

Historically the smaller types were used to pull carts of fresh fish from Boulogne to Paris. The larger horses were used for heavy draught work both on farms and in cities.

Numbers dropped dangerously low in France after the WW1 and WW2, partly due to the war and partly due to the mechanisation of farming.

Today there are under 1,000 horses left in Europe, mainly concentrated in the Saumur area by the French/Belgium border.

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Recently the breed’s size and stature has started being appreciated by the French police, which has added them to their ranks as riding horses.

Ms Hossle said her goal is to compete at HOYS 2017 in the ridden heavy horse class, which is being introduced this year.

“HOYS have confirmed the breed can be added to the 2017 qualifying breeds,” she said.

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One of the last remaining breweries still using working Shire horses has welcomed a new youngster to its team.

Wiltshire-based Wadworth Brewery recently bought three-year-old Archie who is being trained up to deliver ales with Wadworth veteran Shires Max, 12, and Monty, 11.

The family-owned brewery once used more than 40 Shires to deliver its ales and the sight of the Wadworth Shires remains a familiar scene in Devizes.

“Archie is currently being schooled and broken in,” said Wadworth’s head horseman Martin Whittle.

“His training will be a lengthy process — but one that is necessary to ensure he is fully prepared for work. Archie must get used to everything from wearing a harness, to pulling the dray, and also working alongside his colleagues Max and Monty.”

Staff at the brewery hope the 18.1hh youngster will be ready to work by next year.

The Shires’ typical working day starts at 6am when they are mucked out and groomed, before being harnessed up for 9am.

“The work drays are loaded up at the brewery warehouse before the Shires set off into Devizes to make their morning deliveries,” said Martin.

“After lunch the stables are opened up to the public where they have the opportunity to meet the horses. They absolutely love all the fuss and attention.’”

The Wadworth Shires also attend promotional visits to pubs in the Wadworth estate, as well as taking part in heavy horse shows and other public events throughout the summer.

Archie will join Max and Monty on their annual two-week summer break near The Raven pub in Poulshot, near Devizes, from 7 August.

Each year hundreds of people gather to watch the horses enjoy a pint of beer before they are led through the village and released into the field to enjoy a canter.

“The shires are a big part of Wadworth’s history and are the heart of our business,’’ added Wadworth sales and marketing director Paul Sullivan.

’We are determined to continue the brewery tradition of working with these wonderful animals and Archie is the latest in an illustrious line.”

For more information visit: www.wadworth.co.uk

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A gentle giant has joined World Horse Welfare’s adoption scheme as the biggest horse the charity has ever cared for.

Standing at over 19hh, Clydesdale horse Digger has been a huge hit with visitors to his home at the World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Aberdeenshire.

Digger is just four inches smaller than Europe’s largest living horse and has a bridle specially made to fit his head.

He has recently joined World Horse Welfare adopt a horse scheme in place of donkey, Whisky, who has now been rehomed.

“When we were considering potential equine candidates to replace Whisky on the adopt a horse scheme, Digger quite literally stood head and shoulders above the rest,” said Eileen Gillen, centre manager at Belwade Farm.

Eileen has been caring for Digger since he arrived in early 2008 as a four-year-old. His owner contacted World Horse Welfare to ask for help when he was growing fast and problems had started to occur with the joints in his hind legs.

The gelding received veterinary care from the charity and continued to grow — earning his title as the biggest horse the charity has cared for.

Digger caught the attention of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and was accepted on a two-year training programme to become a drum horse.

Unfortunately, it became apparent that he was much better suited to life in the slow lane away from London, so he returned to Belwade Farm in 2012.

“He already has a huge following with visitors travelling from all over the UK to meet him and our adopters loved seeing him at the recent adopters’ day which we held to welcome him on to the scheme and say goodbye to Whisky (pictured above),” added Eileen.

“Whisky was a great character and we’re delighted that he is now in a new home, receiving the love and pampering that he deserves. I would say that Digger has some big shoes to fill but I think his shoes are plenty big enough already!”

For more information on the scheme visit: http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Adopt

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Shires emerged victorious in the inaugural battle of the heavy horses at Lingfield this weekend (6 June), winning over their fellow heavy horse breed, the Clydesdales.

And the dual Grand National winning jockey Leighton Aspell was back in the winner’s enclosure — this time aboard a 17.2hh Shire.

“It was harder than the National,” he joked.

The rider partnered Flash in Lingfield Park’s two-furlong Showerking Flying Feathers Heavy Horse Stakes, in which Shires went head-to-head with Clydesdales for the first time.

And the winning horse had earlier in the week been taken for a spin on the racecourse by H&H art editor Garry Ashton-Coulton.

Jacquie Gardiner, from the organisers of the race, Hurst Green Shires, said: “The Shires were definitely the winners.

“This race is about, yet again, proving the versatility of these great horses along with highlighting their endangerment as breeds.

“We were determined to show that these fantastic horses have a place in the 21st century. This year’s theme of Shire vs Clyde showcases the differences in these two types and introduced a bit of friendly rivalry between the breeds.”

Top National Hunt jockeys saddled up to try and win the coveted title in a race, which earned national recognition when it was launched in 2013.

Judges praised the innovation of the event as they awarded the Surrey racecourse overall winners of the events category at the annual Racecourse Association Showcase and Awards.

The shire horse race was first organised to raise awareness for the endangered breed, which is on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s “at risk” list because there are so few breeding mares.

The first race was won by Mark Grant while last year’s race was won by Mark Goldstein.

Andrew Perkins, executive director of Lingfield Park Resort, added: “I’m thrilled we are once again able to stage this fabulous race.

“The fact that there was even more of a competitive twist this year with the Shires v. the Clydesdales, has made it even more exciting.”

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One of the world’s tallest ever horses — known as Goliath — died in Texas earlier this month (3 July).

The 19.1hh (195.58cm) black Percheron gelding was the 2005 Guinness Book of World Records holder for tallest living horse and was owned by the Priefert Ranch in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Jeff Rash, who works for the ranch said: “He was more than a gentle giant, more than a world record holder and certainly more than just a horse. His heart was kind, humble and pure.”

Goliath and five other Percherons travelled 40,000-60,000 miles a year, exhibiting at rodeos, parades, fairs and equine events.

Owner Bill Priefert added: “Goliath will be missed by our family and our company.

“It was a privilege to have owned such an amazing animal. Goliath will remain on the Priefert Ranch and he will be honored with a special memorial so that he may be remembered for generations to come.”

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Actor and horse lover Martin Clunes is to star in a new programme, Heavy Horsepower tonight (Thursday 7 February).

The one-off show is on ITV at 9pm and features Martin learning about working horses.

Martin will be focusing on the important role of heavy horses in Britain, as well as travelling to Europe and America. He travels to a working vineyard in Italy, “horse fisherman” shrimping in Belgium and meets the famous Budweiser Clydesdales in New Orleans.

He also starts training his own Clydesdales — Ronnie and Bruce — to work on his Dorset farm. He’s had the pair for two years and describes them as “lovable but uncontrollable teenagers”.

“If you’d said ten years ago that I would be driving a seven and a half ton truck with my own two young Clydesdales taking them to hoof camp I’d have laughed in your face. But it is a reality and it’s very exciting,” said Martin.

“People say I must get my horses working. Now they are at an age where they need development. They are getting a bit bored.”

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The UK’s first major heavy horse festival for all the breeds will take place next year, thanks to a Lottery grant.

Milfield Heavy Horse Association (MHHA) has secured £29,700 from the Lottery’s Village SOS fund — which aims to revitalise struggling villages — to run the show on 5 May 2013 and make it an annual event.

The festival in Milfield, Northumberland, will feature ridden, in-hand and driven showing classes for pure and part-bred horses, as well as displays by farriers, saddlers, and a farmers’ market.

Organiser Viv Cockburn told H&H: “I keep 10 Clydesdales in a field beside the A697 and they have become quite a landmark in the area. People divert from the A1 to see them. That’s what gave us the idea.”

An educational heavy horse centre is also planned for the nearby Ford and Etal Estate.

As well as Clydesdales, the festival will also feature shires and Suffolks, both of which are classified as rare breeds.

David Ralley-Davies of the Shire Horse Society said: “We are very supportive of anything that flies the flag for the heavy horse industry.

“We welcomed 250 shires to our show [at Peterborough] this year, but if you are based in Northumberland it’s a long way to travel.”

For more information go to www.heavyhorsefestival.co.uk

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (28 December 2012)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Suffolk horses have been set to work by Stansted Airport, to manage an ancient woodland, Eastend Wood, at the end of its runway.

Around 35 trees are being removed this month as part of a 10-year management plan developed with Natural England and the heavy horses were called in to move the felled wood.

The horses were provided by Hawthorn Heavy Horses of Essex.

The airport’s head of planning and sustainability Dr Andy Jefferson said: “We were reluctant to use modern machinery that would damage flourishing habitats and wildlife.

“Seeing the Suffolk horse at work transports you back in time, especially against the backdrop of a major international airport operation and I’m sure we’ll work with them again as part of our on-going management of this important woodland that we’re proud to manage and maintain.”

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The Big Horse Shop has added two new products to its range of horsewear for heavier horses.

The 600 denier rainsheet and matching neckhood is ideal for spring showers and has been cut sympathetically for bigger horses. The rainsheet comes in sizes 6’6″-7’6″, features quick-release chest clips, larger shoulder gussets, leg straps, a tail flap and retails at £69.99.

The matching neckhood comes in medium, large and extra large and is available at £35.99.

To see the full range, visit www.thebighorseshop.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The London Harness Horse Parade is reducing entry fees by £5 for the 2009 Parade which takes place on Easter Monday (13th April 2009) at the South of England Showground.

And they are also offering £50 travel expenses to each exhibitor of heavy horses.

Spokesman for the event, Walter Gilbey, said: “To assist exhibitors to cope with ever spiralling costs, the Committee of the London Harness Horse Parade took the decision to reduce entry fees.

“It is hoped other events will follow this example of helping horse owners during the present difficult times.”

He added that the travelling expenses were being made available “due to the generous sponsorship of Fullers Brewery”.

“Heavy horses are a vital part of the parade and it is hoped that this will encourage more heavy Horse exhibitors to take part — be it a trade turnout, drawing an agricultural implement or taking part in the decorated harness class.

“Grateful thanks are passed to Fullers Brewery for their sponsorship support in this respect.”

For more information: Visit www.lhhp.co.uk

or phone 01737 646132.

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The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester is hosting a two-day Heavy Horse Summer Spectacular over the weekend of 2-3 June.

More than 40 Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks, British Percherons and Ardennes horses will take part in a range of events, which will include, for the first time, cross-country driving.

The museum’s own shires will be undertaking seasonal tasks, while other demonstrations — introduced by ringside commentator Sarah Rouse — will include agricultural vehicles, brewers’ drays, harnessing and decoration. There will also be a selection of trade and craft stands.

The museum is open from 10.30am to 6pm, and admission costs £8.25 (adult) or £4.40 (children 5-15). Contact the museum (tel: 01243 811363) or visit www.wealddown.co.uk

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Large horses carried the day at the Royal Show, Warwickshire yesterday. Willingham Marie, a heavy horse, was crowed Supreme In-Hand Champion and Omega’s Boy, a working hunter, was hailed Supreme Ridden Champion. E Bailey from Cambridge, who owns the grey Willingham Marie, and Adele Hanson owner of Omega’s Boy were presented with £1000 cheques – the show’s biggest equestrian prize.

Both Willingham Marie and Omega’s Boy won the prestigious Supreme Champions accolades at last year’s Royal Show, under different judges.

According to judge Jim Yates, Willingham Marie won on the basis that she looked good from all angles. “She looks good from wherever you look at her and she appealed to all of us,” he confirmed. Mr Bailey was thrilled with the result: “This is the best result I’ve had since I was 12-years-old,” he said afterwards.

The Reserve Surpreme Ridden Champion award went to Trevaylor Tiger Lilly, a first ridden pony, ridden by Alexandra Hollings and owned by Mrs E Stanleick. Tiger Lilly had already been chosen as the Royal Show’s best First Ridden or Leading Rein pony earlier in the day.

Goldsborough Princess Royal, a brood mare owned by W Merryweather from Lancashire was selected as Reserve Supreme In Hand Champion with Vanessa Compton’s Castle Comet – a Connemara – as second reserve.

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Britain’s first heavy horse driving trials takes place this weekend in the New Forest

Six teams will take part in Britain’s first driving trials challenge for heavy horses this weekend (19-21 July) in the New Forest.

The British Heavy Horse Driving Trials club has organised a British equivalent to the French Route du Poisson (Fish Race), a biennial event which attracts several hundred thousand spectators along its route in Normandy.

Each team comprises of three pairs and a single horse. Entries from the UK have been received from the Harbridge Percherons and the Wessex Percheron Club, as well as teams of Shire horses, Suffolk Punch, a British Ardennes and French Ardennes.

The challenge, which takes place at Harbridge Farm and the Fordingbridge Show, and is sponsored by Hilton Herbs, includes driven and ridden skills, changing horses, a driving marathon and timber loading, withthe horses working in relays over the three days.

The winners will receive the Chris Zeuner Memorial Trophy presented by Diana Zeuner of Heavy Horse World.

The weekend’s event will provide an excellent practise run for the teams considering travelling to next year’s Route du Poisson.

Hilary Self from Hilton Herbs said: “We were thrilled to be a part of last year’s “Fish Run” and are delighted to involved in the British equivalent organised by Rowena and John McDermot.”

Endurance vets Sarah Coombs and Rod Fisher will be keeping a close eye on the horses as they compete in the marathon section and Driven Skills Test.

For more information on this event visit: www.hiltonherbs.com

Read more heavy horse stories:

• Heavy horses “race” in France
• Q&A: Tack for large horses
• Heavy horses take up new challenge

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now