Latest from Horse & Hound in Shire-horses

Shire who enjoys a pint is crowned champion at the Great Yorkshire Show

Bethan Simons — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:37:23 +0000

Thwaites’ King’s Hurricane ruled in the Shire ranks at the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show, where he exuded presence and power while handled by Thwaites’ head horseman Richard Green to land the breed tricolour.

Known as “Duke” at home, he joined the Thwaites Shire Horse team as a three-year-old after being crowned junior champion at the National Shire Horse Show.

“From the moment he arrived, his education began as we started the process of breaking him to drive, with the aim of him becoming one of our working promotional horses,” explained Bev Holland, who works alongside Richard and Jonathan Jones to care for the team.

This is not Duke’s first success this term. Earlier in the season he won the four-year-old and over gelding class at the Shire Horse Society’s National Spring Show and was crowned champion gelding, before going on to claim the breed tricolour at Royal Lancashire.

Meanwhile, Duke’s driving training has continued alongside his showing, and he also competed in the driving ranks at Harrogate – his second show pulling the carriage.

Away from the show ring, Duke has spent the season representing Thwaites at hotels, inns and pubs across the country.

“He has quickly become a reliable and impressive ambassador for the company, taking everything in his stride as he continues to develop into a first-class driving horse,” said Bev.

“In the stable, Duke is a much-loved character with a wonderful personality. He’s always the first to greet everyone in the morning with a cheerful whinny, usually accompanied by a gentle bang on his stable door to remind us that breakfast is due.

“And after a busy day’s work, it’s fair to say Duke enjoys his own Thwaites tradition too – a pint of Thwaites Original, which he thoroughly appreciates!”

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‘She knew she was loved’: farewell to 18.2hh Shire mare who touched countless lives, nine years after her rescue

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:49:44 +0000

A Shire mare who was abandoned to face a bleak future but went on to “touch countless lives” as an ambassador for rescued horses has died after nine years in her second-chance home.

Welfare charity HorseWorld said 11-year-old Lolly – “one of its most treasured residents” – had enjoyed a comfortable and content life since she was taken in by the charity in 2017. But her health deteriorated and “the difficult but kindest decision was made to let her go peacefully”.

“Lolly was a firm favourite with visitors and staff alike, often stealing the show at HorseWorld’s open days,” a spokesperson for the charity said. “A true gentle giant, she adored human company and patiently waited for cuddles and ear scratches, becoming a powerful ambassador for rescued horses and the difference long-term care can make.”

Lolly was one of 19 Shires abandoned in Worcestershire and rescued in November 2017 in a major, multi-agency mission, and one of three taken in by Horse World. The spokesperson told H&H she was the most malnourished of the group as she had been so submissive, she was pushed away from food.

“Lolly came to HorseWorld as a vulnerable young horse, and it has been a true privilege to witness her journey of recovery and growth – and boy, did she grow!” said the charity’s head of equine welfare Sarah Hollister. “Over the years, I’ve seen her touch countless lives, from the dedicated grooms who cared for her every day and delighted in her antics to colleagues who found calm and comfort in her presence, and supporters who recognised her rare combination of strength and gentleness.

“Whether soaking up attention or simply standing quietly beside someone who needed her, Lolly had an extraordinary way of making people feel at ease. She certainly knew she was loved and never shied away from the limelight. More recently, she shared that same quiet magic with the young people on our Discovery courses, reminding me time and again of the power of gentleness freely chosen.”

Lolly’s long-term health issues including balance issues, a chronic skin condition that caused swelling and a persistent infection beneath her feather. In 2020, she underwent surgery to remove a troublesome tooth, funded by HorseWorld supporters.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Thanks to the ongoing care and dedication of the charity’s welfare team and veterinary partners, Lolly was kept comfortable and content for many years,” the spokesperson said, adding that her condition had deteriorated recently, so the team had to make the call for her.

Ms Hollister added: “Lolly is going to be sorely missed by so many, but I take great comfort in the many happy, content years we were lucky enough to share with her.

“There are still so many horses like Lolly waiting for rescue. Honouring her legacy means continuing to be there for horses who need years of care, compassion and commitment.”

The other two Shires taken in at the time by HorseWorld were Florin, who was elderly and has since died, and Dime, who was rehabilitated and has found a home with Wessex Working Horses.

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A victory for rarity: grey Shire tops the HOYS 2025 ridden heavy horse championship

Bethan Simons — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 15:01:52 +0000

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.

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‘I thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime thing’: three-year-old filly follows in dam’s footsteps to stand HOYS Shire of the year

Bethan Simons — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:02:41 +0000

Knutsford Monte-Carlo provided handler Thomas Whittaker with a welcome surprise win when the pair landed the Shire of the year title, supported by the Shire Horse Society, at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Known as Monte at home, the three year-old-filly contended just one qualifier this time, the final one at Penistone Agricultural Show in September.

“It was never the plan to bring her here this season because we didn’t think she was ready really,” explained Thomas. “We just said we’d enter the last qualifier three weeks ago and she qualified, and now here we are.”

Whether it was their plan or not, Monte shone in the arena and lapped up the unique atmosphere.

“She just loves to go,” said Thomas. “She takes a fair bit of holding.”

Monte was bred by Thomas and his father John Whittaker. She is by Fellthorpe Fascinator, out of St Giles Morgana, who John showed to win HOYS in 2018.

John said: “I thought when I won here seven years ago with her dam, it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I never expected we’d do it again with her daughter. It’s super.”

Taking the runner-up spot for the HOYS Shire of the year title and blue rosette was Joe Gladden handling Acle Celebration.

“She’s always the bridesmaid, never the bride,” said Joe. But he said the nine-year-old mare had qualified for HOYS every year since she was a two-year-old.

She’s also bred winners. “Her colt foal won last year at the Shire foal show,” he explained.

The Metheringham Upton Hamlet mare is out of Acle Annabelle. She was bred by Bryan Banham, and was one of four qualified for this prestigious final bearing Bryan’s Acle prefix, a remarkable feat in itself. She was joined by Acle Carousel, Acle Lilibet and Acle Melissa. Each contender is out of a different Acle mare, which is surely a testament to their breeding.

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Know your Shire from your Suffolk from your Percheron: a cheat’s guide to the ridden heavy horse showing classes

Bethan Simons — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 07:30:43 +0000

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!

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Want to own a Shire horse? Follow this guide to find the perfect one

Alex Robinson — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:30:34 +0000

If you want to buy a Shire as your next dream horse, then this advice on how to find the right one is a good place to kick off your search.

Would a Shire horse suit me?

Shire horses are adored across Great Britain and beyond. Their impressive stamp, calm disposition and kind nature has earned them a status as a gentle giant. However, as with all breeds, individual horses have specific temperaments and personalities, and not all are suited to ridden work or to being ridden or handled by an individual without some heavy horse experience.

Emma Green has been involved with the breed for 25 years. Her passion began when she met her husband, Richard, who has worked on the Shire horse scene since childhood. Emma has produced Shires for ridden work for several years, and she is a regular face on the showing circuit. She has reigned at the breed show on several occasions and she won the ridden heavy horse of the year title at the Horse of the Year Show in 2022 riding Westfield Calendar Girl.

“They are definitely weight carriers,” Emma begins. “While they are generally an amenable breed that is easily trainable, I don’t believe that all Shires would suit a novice, unless the horse had plenty of age on it. There is a lot of horse and power there, especially once the animal knows its own strength.”

What should I look for when buying a Shire?

When looking for a good example of a Shire horse, it is important to study the Shire Horse Society’s breed standard. However, Emma says that while good conformation is standard, the horses favoured by in-hand judges may be slightly different to those that would thrive under-saddle.

“If I was looking for a ridden Shire I’d ideally want something that stands between 17hh and 18hh,” says Emma. “The breed standard says that mares can be 16hh plus, so you do find smaller ones, but irrespective of size they need to catch the eye. A horse that is too big may find ridden work harder, and it might be a daunting sit-on for a ride judge, too.

“You should be able to tell what the horse is instantly. A Shire should have broad solid feet as they are carrying a lot of weight on them. They need to be put together correctly, with the head and neck in proportion to the size of the horse. I like a strong shoulder, nice straight forelegs, a good depth of girth, well-sprung ribs, and they should sweep upwards towards the hindquarters. Stallions and geldings should have a short, compact body, while mares can be slightly longer.

“Way of going is obviously important for riding. They need to have plenty of power and use their knees and hocks. The poll should be held high, with the nose raised just in front of the vertical. They should also be looking through their bridle with a joyful expression. A horse of this size needs a powerful back end so they don’t move on the forehand with the head on the floor.

“If you look at the Shire horses bred today compared to 50 years ago, a lot has changed. We no longer use them for what they were originally bred for and now their main purpose is for the show ring. This means some traits have been exaggerated, for example, the tying-in of the hocks. While close hocks may be a desirable trait for a breeder, it may not be so for the ideal ridden horse; it puts more pressure on the hocks and could mean they are weaker and can’t stand up to work.”

How much should I expect to pay?

The prices of Shire horses will vary depending on age and quality, as with all horse and pony breeds.

“A good Shire can go for the same money as a good light horse,” Emma says. “If you were looking for a quality horse that is ready made to go out and do a job, you are looking at anywhere from between £10,000 to £20,000. Youngsters are also fetching good prices, anywhere from £6,000 onwards. As there aren’t many Shires around, they are in high demand. And with any horse, if you want something top-drawer, you should expect to pay more.”

Where should I look?

Shire horses for sale will be advertised at various times in the season on online platforms as well as through word of mouth.

Alongside approaching dealers who specialise in heavy horses, approaching long-standing breeders is the best approach, as Emma explains: “These people will know about the breeding lines, too. Initially, I suggest going to breed shows and getting in touch with The Shire Horse Society, who have a ‘for sale’ site on their website. The society does a lot of demos and talks, and they do a good job in providing training and education opportunities for members. They even hold an annual camp which is great to get involved with once you have found your Shire.”

I’ve agreed to buy a Shire horse, what now?

When you have found the right horse for you, then it’s time to arrange a pre-purchase vetting, something that is strongly recommended.

The vet will assess the horse with the specific job you want it for in mind, so it’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you want to do with the horse. If you want the horse for showing, the vet should pay close attention to any conformational faults which could impact its future career, even if they don’t impact soundness or performance.

“It’s always worth getting a vetting, especially if you are going to be paying a certain amount of money,” says Emma. “Shires can be prone to a few issues so if you’re wanting to ride your horse and it’s going to have an active life then a vetting would be recommended.”

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‘Lovely for people to see’: meet the pure Shire excelling in dressage and aiming for championships

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 13:01:38 +0000

The rider of a purebred Shire mare who has been contesting Area Festivals – and aiming for the championships – said it is a pleasure to show what non-conventional dressage horses can do.

Boo Riley and Nicholas Dymond’s eight-year-old Thames Oak Glamour Girl just missed out on a qualifying ticket at the Addington Equestrian winter Area Festival on 17 January, but have another chance at Solihull next month.

Dressage producer and rider Boo told H&H Nicholas is her neighbour, and asked her to back “Betsie” in 2020.

“I thought there was no reason why not; I can back horses and ponies, so I can back a Shire,” she said. “And it all went from there!”

Boo said Betsie was straightforward to back, and she carried on schooling her once or twice a week.

“She did a bit of in-hand showing, then last summer, we took her to the National Shire Horse Show,” she said. “She did the novice ridden class and came second, then we did the Horse of the Year Show qualifier, which was a bit of an eye-opener! There were so many in it, and she’s 17.2hh but she looked dainty compared to the others.

“We’d taken her to do a couple of dressage tests in preparation for that show and she went really well so we thought ‘Let’s see if she can do it’.”

And she can; she has won six prelim classes so far, and came third at last year’s summer Area Festival qualifier at Kingswood; having held second place and a championship qualifying ticket, the last horse to go pushed her down to third.

“We really hoped for a wild card, that she might scrape in, as I thought she’d have as good a chance as anyone at the championships,” Boo said.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I think it’s really lovely for people to see that all sorts of horses can successfully compete in dressage, and I love the fact the judges are open to horses who aren’t the typical dressage type.”

Boo has also competed a part-bred Clydesdale to medium level, and an Irish cob to elementary, and has taken part in judge training events.

There are of course more challenges with a horse who is so much bigger – 900kg, to be exact – as Boo said: “Collecting the canter is hard work when they’re that weight!”

But, she added, every horse has to be able to carry itself, and good training is just that, whatever she is riding.

Other challenges include the labour of love on Nicholas’s part to keep those fabulous feathers and ample tail in show condition, and her tack.

“I heard that when Albion made her saddle, they rang the saddler to double-check the measurements were correct as they’d never made one so wide!” she said. “Nicholas does an amazing job, and he loves the fact he has a rare breed, a horse who’s a bit unusual; he can’t walk round the lorry park without people stopping him, and that’s lovely, isn’t it?

“I find it so inspiring that these horses who aren’t flashy movers do stand a good chance; if they do consistent, accurate tests, they have as good a chance as anybody else.”

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‘Stick with it, keep smiling’: how this talented star has made her mark on the show scene

Alex Robinson — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 07:00:16 +0000

At the 2024 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), a Shire mare provided young showing star Alice Pimbley with her first-ever NEC centre line ride.

It was a moment Alice, 21, will certainly never forget, as she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Jayne, who won at the prestigious show aboard side-saddle contender Deauville in 2014.

Alice runs her team of horses from her base in Preston. She mainly produces for the show ring but also keeps a couple of pointers and has horses in for schooling. In between running her yard, Alice regularly teaches and she also rides out on a local racing yard. She is supported by Jayne and her grandparents, with her grandfather, Peter, being by her side at most shows throughout the season.

Alice began showing as a child and she first rode at HOYS aged 11 on 12hh show hunter pony Thistledown Las Vegas.

“I’ve been showing since I was a tiny-tot and did a lot when I was a child, before I had a bit of a break from it all,” she explains. “I then started up again just before Covid and have been going ever since.”

Like many talented riders, Alice has honed her skills through producing ponies and horses from unbacked youngsters or novices. There is a long list of consistent animals who Alice has debuted in the ring before she watched them continue their success in new homes.

“We usually get them young, or if they’ve been a bit quirky,” Alice says. “We often sell horses with the rides at the big finals as they’re worth so much more with the tickets or the owners understandably want to ride them. This year, I was very thankful to be given the chance to go for my own win at HOYS.”

Alice’s ride was Harry and Hannah Bardsley’s impressive Shire mare Moorfield Nancy. The 15-year-old took home the British ridden heavy horse of the year accolade on her HOYS debut.

“While we knew Nancy was good enough, you can never imagine that it will happen,” Alice recalls. “She always owns the ring, though, and she was exceptional on the day. When they called the results out in reverse order, I think Nancy knew she’d won when the reserve was pulled forward; she’s a true show off.

“We still have “Pru” who Mum won HOYS with and I’ve also been lucky enough to have some great wins on her,” Alice adds. “We really want that supreme one day, but there’s always next year!”

Alice was one of the riders to beat at the NEC this year as her second ride, her grandfather’s young working hunter mare Heat Seeker, finished second in the intermediate working hunter final over a testing track that was assessed by eventing legend William Fox-Pitt.

“She is going to be a superstar,” Alice explains. “She was bought just backed after HOYS last year, so to go from that to finishing second at HOYS 12 months later is incredible.”

Alice Pimbley: “We have many secret weapons for next season”

Alice’s goals for 2025 include riding in a point-to-point and continuing to produce her team of horses to the best of her abilities.

“I think we’ll aim for a point-to-point this winter or spring,” says Alice, who is also lady master of the Holcombe Harriers. “I would also love to step into the horse worker scene; I’ve ridden all sorts in the ring and that’s a class I’d love to try for. For next season, we have many secret weapons we’re excited about.”

Over the festive period, Alice and her family will enjoy a relaxing Christmas day in between caring for the horses and prepping them for the Boxing Day meet.

“Hunting is my first and true love,” she says. “On Boxing Day, I always hunt side-saddle.”

Signing off, Alice says: “If you want to get into showing you’ve got to stick with it. You’ll always have days where you come away disappointed. But keep smiling; smiling always works.”

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

‘She is pure elegance’: 15-year-old mare leads HOYS heavy horses after phenomenal performance

Alex Robinson — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:42:56 +0000

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

Record-breaking champion Shire mare makes history once again

Alex Robinson — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 19:21:40 +0000

Lindy Winship’s Shire mare Westfield Calendar Girl has become the first horse to have qualified for all three heavy horse finals at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) during her career.

Westfield Calendar Girl, who is known as Callie at home, is a nine-year-old by Bickerscourt William. She made history in 2022 when she qualified for both the ridden heavy horse and the in-hand Shire horse of the year finals at HOYS, the first horse to do so in the same season. At the NEC final that year, she won the heavy horse ridden championship with her long-term rider and Shire horse specialist Emma Green.

This season, Callie won the driven heavy horse of the year qualifier at Royal Norfolk, shown by Emma’s husband Richard Green in a two-wheeled cart. This was only her second public outing in harness, her first at Royal Three Counties in June.

“She’s only been driving for about three weeks,” said Emma, after her Norfolk victory. “When she won HOYS under saddle we wondered what to do with her next, as where can you go from there? We toyed with the idea of putting her in foal, but she took to the harness so well that we decided to try her this season.

“She’s a mare who knows her own mind, but she’s turned her hand to it so well. As she’s so well schooled, we’ve had to change things up a bit; especially on the lap of honour — at the moment she still wants to go!”

Emma bought Callie, who was bred by the Clayton family, as an unbacked three-year-old. Lindy took ownership of her in 2021. Her HOYS title in 2022 was Emma’s first NEC heavy horse triumph.

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Grey Shire horse who served at The late Queen’s funeral retires aged 18

Becky Murray — Mon, 06 May 2024 11:02:05 +0000

An 18.2hh grey Shire who served at The late Queen’s funeral has retired from duty aged 18.

Heathfield Forrester retired to the Horse Trust after 12 years’ service to the Royal Parks charity. The organisation cares for and provides free access to the eight Royal Parks of London and historic green spaces, with a team of 10 Shires who are stabled at Richmond Park.

“Heath” worked as a carriage-driving horse, alongside Shire gelding Nobby. At The late Queen’s funeral the pair collected the thousands of floral tributes left by the public.

Heath and Nobby were also involved in a number of public occasions including the Platinum Jubilee, Shire Horse Sunday, and the blessing of the plough at Wellington Barracks. In addition Heath carried out conservation work in London’s green spaces, and provided carriage rides.

“During his time in the Royal Parks, Heath stole many hearts not only due to his eye-catching appearance but because of his brave and kind personality too,” said a Horse Trust spokesman.

“He was described by his former colleagues as a real gentleman who taught all the youngsters the ropes.”

The spokesman added that Heath had “many claims to fame” including featuring on the Channel Five television series Behind the Scenes at Hampton Court Palace, and two appearances on BBC’s Countryfile.

“Heath is no doubt our best horse and it will be a sad day to see him go,” said a Royal Parks spokesman. “We had hoped to have him for a further few years, but I’m sure he will be much loved at the Horse Trust.”

The Horse Trust team is “honoured to welcome Heath after many years of noble service”.

“He brought joy to the days and lives of many, worked hard towards a greener London for everyone, and bravely served our country at countless state occasions,” said the charity’s spokesman.

“It is time to remove Heath’s harness and grant him a very long and well-deserved retirement among our green pastures, in the Chilterns, Buckinghamshire. Heath is currently enjoying getting to know fellow retiree Yachtsman, who recently joined us from the Metropolitan mounted branch. Our equine care team are all absolutely smitten with Heath.”

Horse Trust chief executive Jeantte Allen added that Heath is a “truly stunning horse who has undertaken such valuable work during his service”.

“It is a testament to the Royal Parks that they use heavy horses for traditional land maintenance work rather than always turning to machinery,” she said.

“The more this type of initiative can be taken up the better and may also help save some of these breeds whose numbers have got alarmingly low in recent years. We are thrilled to have this gentle giant join us and wish him the happiest possible retirement. He and Yachtsman are already inseparable.”

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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.

‘Valued team members’: brewery ‘thrilled’ to welcome new working Shire horse

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:51:34 +0000

The arrival of the latest Shire horse at Hook Norton Brewery is a “bold statement” that the horses are “valued team members” and part of the business’s future.

The Oxfordshire brewery was “thrilled” to welcome two-year-old Cromwell from a breeder in Lincolnshire, to join retired 25-year-old Nelson and five-year-olds Balmoral and Brigadier.

Hook Norton, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, is one of three British breweries that still have working Shires to deliver the beer.

“We’re thrilled to welcome our latest addition to the team,” said head coachman Nicholas Carter. “This young horse caught my eye in October, and after watching his progress we looked to purchase him this February. He’s a remarkable colour match to our other horses and with his inquisitive and friendly nature I look forward to a promising future with him.”

The horses live on site at the brewery, in its original 19th century stable block, which is open to the public, and fields.

“Cromwell is now ready to meet the public and will spend the next two years greeting visitors, competing at shows and visiting the brewery’s pubs,” a spokesman for the brewery said, adding that Cromwell’s training to drive will start when he is four.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“The Shire horses have more than 75 public engagements every year, from competitions to demonstrations, fetes, weddings and television work to name but a few.”

The brewery became a Shire Horse Society approved centre in 2021, and hosts training and events to promote the breed “ensuring their place in the modern world”.

Mr Carter added: “This is a bold statement from our team of directors that our Shire horses are valued team members and will continue to remain a prominent part of the brewery’s future for years to come.”

‘Gallop pain-free, sweet girl’: farewell to grey Shire who led The Queen’s funeral procession

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 20:21:43 +0000

A grey Shire police horse who led The late Queen’s funeral procession has been put down after a short but happy retirement.

The former Thames Valley Police (TVP) horse, who led Her late Majesty’s cortege on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle in September 2022, was aged 13. The 18hh mare retired to The Horse Trust after the funeral, her last deployment, owing to soundness issues.

“Although Aurora had only been with us a short while, she instantly found favour with our team and amongst our supporters who met her on the yard when visiting,” a Horse Trust spokesman said.

“Aurora served TVP valiantly throughout her career and attended all mounted deployments including football matches, demonstrations, royal escorts, neighbourhood policing patrols, school visits and music concerts. She also participated in mutual aid events, attending football matches in both Leicester and Brighton.”

The spokesman said that although she enjoyed her work and was an “exemplary” police horse, her ongoing lameness issues led to her retirement.

“Fitting straight into our herd of retirees, Aurora made many friends both equine and human due to her placid nature,” the spokesman said. “Her gentle character and striking size and beauty made hers a popular stable door for our visitors to linger at, as Aurora almost always had her head out and was ready for the strokes and adoration she so deserved in her retirement.

“A grey Shire horse standing at 18hh, Aurora could be spotted in the field easily like a glorious marble statue, both stoic and stunning.”

Picture by The Horse Trust (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The spokesman said Aurora’s issues worsened, and although she was closely monitored by the charity’s vet, she then sustained a ruptured ligament.

“Due to her other diagnoses and sheer size, this severely limited her prognosis and any treatment options available would have severely impacted her quality of life,” he said.

“Therefore, it was decided to let Aurora be at peace and run pain-free across the rainbow bridge. While her time with us was shorter than some, she certainly made a massive impression on the team and our supporters. We are grateful to have been able to give her time to enjoy the fresh air, roll in plenty of mud and run freely with other horses during her time here at The Horse Trust. Rest in peace, sweet Aurora.”

A TVP spokesman added: “Aurora had such a sweet nature, she was another big gentle giant of ours who generally looked after the newer riders but always did a good job of keeping us on our toes.

“We cannot thank The Horse Trust enough for the wonderful retirement she got to enjoy and how well she was treated. Gallop pain-free sweet girl and thank you for your service.”

‘His inner showman came out’: reigning HOYS heavy horse champion spotted enjoying a day out hunting

Alex Robinson — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 18:32:50 +0000

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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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.

‘He’s the first heavy horse I’ve ridden’: Shire owns the ring and wins at HOYS

Tricia Johnson — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 15:32:28 +0000

Exactly 10 years since he won the SEIB Search For A Star series, Will Morton returned to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to take the top spot in The Barber Family British ridden heavy horse of the year championship. Will, who began the week aboard hunters, cemented his versatility when partnering Gemma McClorey’s eight-year-old Shire gelding Cotebrook Sgurr Alasdair (Big Al) to head the hugely competitive final.

Big Al was bred Alistair King, by Moorfield Edward.

The standards continue to rise each year as the competition, first introduced in 2016, gathers support and prestige, and both judges — Katie Duxbury (ride) and heavy horse specialist David Curtis — were impressed.

“You have to adapt your riding in ways that sometimes people don’t realise,” said Katie. “These horses need more room, for a start, and you have to plan the transitions ahead carefully to give them time to organise themselves.”

“Our winner was also a proper example of the breed,” added David. “There were a lot of real quality horses today, and most were very well presented.”

Breed enthusiast Gemma has lessons with Will, who qualified him at the National Shire Horse show, and Gemma was champion with Big Al herself at Equifest. He went to Will for production prior to coming here.

Although Will has had several stellar seasons, peaking with the overall horse supreme at Royal International Horse Show this July, amazingly this was the first class he had won here since emerging in the Search For A Star final exactly a decade ago.

“I’m lucky with him as he’s an incredibly light, balanced ride,” said Will. “You wouldn’t know you’re on a heavy at all! His prep is mainly focused on fitness and stamina work, and is the first one I’ve ridden.

“I’ve only ridden him once before in the ring — and that was back in the qualifier in March.”

Sad farewell to failed drum horse with a ‘heart as big as his height’

Becky Murray — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:33:02 +0000

The Horse Trust has paid tribute to a resident Shire who will be remembered for having a “heart as big as his height”.

Wiggins was originally bought by the Household Cavalry with the intention of becoming a drum horse for the mounted band. This role would have involved Wiggins carrying two large drums, one on each side of his rider, who would play and ride during parades.

A Horse Trust spokesman said although Wiggins initially settled into training, it became clear he was a “nervous character”, especially in traffic, and it was deemed he was not suitable for the life of a drum horse.

“The decision was made to retire Wiggins to the beautiful rolling hills here in Buckinghamshire where he could live a quieter life and avoid his arch nemesis, the double decker bus!,” said the spokesman, adding that Wiggins arrived in 2016 aged seven, making him one of the charity’s youngest retirees.

The spokesman said it was recently noticed Wiggins, now aged 14, was “having some trouble” with his back legs when getting up, and would struggle to put weight on them, before “seemingly going back to normal”.

“After this was observed by the grooms, Wiggins was booked in with our vet Nicky. Unfortunately after a thorough investigation, it was found that Wiggins was suffering from advanced arthritis and hindlimb suspensory ligament degeneration,” said the spokesman.

“The deterioration of this ligament was also impacting Wiggins joints which was likely causing him a great deal of pain. Due to the quick progression of the degeneration and that Wiggins was already struggling in light of this painful condition, it was decided that the kindest thing to do was to say goodbye.”

The spokesman added that Wiggins “won the hearts of everyone he met with his handsome appearance and loveable personality”.

“He was immensely loved by all the team here and his goofy character and gentle nature will be sorely missed,” he said.

“He leaves behind a hole just as big as his gigantic heart but we let him go knowing that he will no longer feel pain and that when he crosses over the rainbow bridge, he can continue his work to comfort those of our residents who have already left us to reside in the pastures in the sky. Sleep tight Wiggins.”

‘She may have been interfered with’: vet finds old Fanta can deep inside Shire mare

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:07:47 +0000

A vet who was investigating a Shire’s uterine problems was shocked to find an old Fanta can embedded deep within the mare.

The RSPCA is appealing for information as it tries to find out what happened to the mare while she was being kept in the Biddulph area of north Staffordshire about two years ago. The mare has been rehomed since, and her previous owners are under no suspicion, but it is thought the mare “may have been interfered with by an unknown person while she was staying at a yard they were using at the time”.

“Two parts of the degraded aluminium can were removed manually by a vet who carried out an internal examination after being contacted by the horse’s current owners because they were concerned about her uterine problems,” an RSPCA spokesman said, adding that the drink can was date-stamped 30 April 2020.

“Anyone who has or had connections to a yard in the ST8 postcode area or the horses stabled there between 2020 and 2022 is being asked if they recall any suspicious activity during that time.”

The horse is expected to make a full recovery from her health issues.

The vet who found and removed the can contacted RSPCA inspector Pamela Bird, who said: “The Fanta can had broken down inside the horse and skin tissue had grown around it. It is quite horrific to think the poor creature had this embedded deep inside her for so long and the equine vet was shocked to find it.

“The horse has been rehomed, but two years ago she was stabled in the Biddulph area. She was suffering from health problems then, but the owners couldn’t find out what was causing them.

“There is no suggestion of neglect on their part, but it looks like this foreign object could have been inserted at that time without their knowledge by an unknown person. We are trying to establish how this happened.”

Anyone with information about the mare is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 1238018.

Rescued Shire horse and partner create wildflower meadow at Tower of London

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 20:21:09 +0000

The work of two Shire horses in the Tower of London moat should help create a wildflower meadow in the centre of the city this summer.

Former rescue horse William, six, and his experienced partner Joey, 14, have been at the Tower harrowing, then going back over the ground after the seeds were spread, in hopes the moat will bloom.

Andreas Liefooghe is the managing director of Operation Centaur, whose horses have been carrying out conservation work at royal palaces for 30 years. The Shires also work in the royal parks, including creating and maintaining wildflower meadows, controlling bracken and logging.

Professor Liefooghe told H&H a meadow was created in the moat last summer to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee but that the dry summer meant the area “needed quite a bit of help”.

“So we came from Hampton Court Palace, to disc-harrow, first,” he said. “Then the garden team broadcast the wildflower seeds and we had another light harrow, which should be sufficient.”

Professor Liefooghe said wildflowers will not grow well in ground that has been compacted, so the Shires are far preferable to heavy machinery.

“We’re not romanticising and saying the whole world should go back to farming with them, but in these really quite special places, it makes a lot more sense to bring them in,” he said. “In Kensington Gardens, we took over Buck Hill about six years ago, and since then the wildflowers have been abundant, where before was just grass and nettles. By using these horses, people are seeing wildflowers in central London, where they hadn’t been seen for decades.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Professor Liefooghe added that more people, and authorities, are starting to see the benefits of the Shires’ work.

“They see it totally makes sense and is economically viable,” he said. “We won’t compete with big contractors sending in machines but even councils are starting to see there’s something in a bespoke service for specialised areas. And local communities aren’t putting up with that treatment any more; in one area, contractors mowed a wildflower meadow that was just about to seed; with us, if we need to wait a week, we wait. It’s stewardship of the land rather than thinking ‘We need to get on with it’.”

Operation Centaur has a small breeding programme, with one foal due this year, and some rescued Shires like William.

“They’ve got a reputation for being gentle giants, which they are, but they have their moments, like any horses,” Professor Liefooghe said. “They need a lot of care and they eat a lot, so they tend to get abandoned and we inherit them; they tend to get too much for people.

“But they just love their work; a lot of people can’t catch horses but ours queue up to come in: ‘Pick me, pick me!’ They love working with you; they’re colleagues who work alongside us.”

The Shires live at both Richmond Park and Hampton Court, where there is 40 acres of turnout for them to “be horses”. And when they retire, Professor Liefooghe, who is also a psychotherapist, involves them in his therapy programmes.

“They don’t do well just living in the field,” he said. “When they’ve spent their lives with people, they don’t understand it, so that’s a really nice job for them. They stay with us till their last days.”

Standing tall: the five breeds featuring the world’s biggest horses

Martha Terry — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:32:11 +0000

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.

Shires are among the world’s biggest horses (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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 Horse (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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 Punch in full show harness (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

Shire foal orphaned when walkers fed his dam thrives thanks to 33 pints of bottle-fed milk a day

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 18:51:33 +0000

A Shire who was orphaned at four weeks old when his dam was fed by walkers has survived and thrived thanks to being bottle-fed up to 33 pints of milk a day.

John and Georgie Robinson’s Boris was born during lockdown in 2020 – named as it rhymed with his dam’s name Doris rather than after the prime minister of the time – and orphaned weeks later.

“Someone fed her over the fence,” John told H&H. “She was only nine and her stomach ruptured.”

Georgie added that the family was having lunch outside and it first appeared as if Doris had colic.

“We got the foal on the wagon and she had no fight to get back to him,” she added. “We got them both to Leahurst but only he came home.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The family breeds Shires for the drays of Frederick Robinson Ltd brewery, and still had retiree Geoff, who became Boris’s “grandfather” and looked after him.

“It was hard to find a foster mare as it was four weeks after the birth,” John said. “So we fed him and Geoff taught him to be a horse, and they were inseparable.”

The foal was fed every three hours from 5am to 1-2am from May to August.

“It was teamwork,” Georgie said. “I did mornings and he did evenings. Our sons were three and five at the time and they got involved too – and I mixed it in a wine cooler!”

Boris was later put with another yearling foal, and has grown up to be a “very well-mannered, lovely boy”, thanks also to the help of Helen Priest and Lisa Trotter from the brewery, and John Worthington. He will not be big enough for the drays, the Robinsons said, but he has a home for life.

“It was a particularly hard time for me,” John said. “My mum had died in the January and my dad had terminal cancer so he moved in with us, and we had two young children and an orphan foal. He was our saviour in lockdown, and now he’s not going anywhere; he’ll never be sold.”

‘Though she be but little, she is fierce’: history making Shire mare wins HOYS heavy horse crown

Alex Robinson — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:00:12 +0000

Heavy horse specialist Emma Green posted a first HOYS British ridden heavy horse of the championship at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the saddle of Lindy Winship’s exceptional Shire mare Westfield Calendar Girl (Callie).

“I’m so pleased that other people appreciate her as much as I do,” said Emma. “She works so hard for me, sometimes too hard.”

Emma purchased Callie, who stands at just 17.2hh, as an unbroken three-year-old.

“We bought her unseen,” explained Emma. “I owned her brother so I wanted something from the same line. I broke her in and from the beginning her work ethic has been second to none. She’s a pleasure and even when I’m not asking anything from her, she gives me her all. If I ever walk past her stable with a saddle to go and ride another horse she’s not happy and she starts kicking at the door.”

The Bickerscout William eight-year-old, who is out of Westfield Cover Girl, was bred by the Clayton Family.

She made history this year by becoming the only breed representative to qualify for both the HOYS ridden heavy horse championship and the in-hand Shire of the year final in the same season.

“She might not be the biggest, but as they say, though she be but little she is fierce,” said Emma.

Lindy spotted Callie win at last year’s BSHA championships.

“Lindy ran up to me and said she wanted to buy her,” said Emma, who will lead Callie in this afternoon’s in-hand final. “She bought her straight after her class and now she has two Shires with me.

“Callie owes me absolutely nothing. She wants to go out and do the job, and all the way round the ring I’m talking to her. Today she rode effortlessly; her movement was there the whole time. Callie and I are a bit of a dream team.

“Now, she’ll have some recovery mash, go to bed for a while and then we’ll be back out for the in-hand!”

Reserve in the HOYS British ridden heavy horse final was Hollie Butterworth riding her own Shire gelding Acle Director.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Noble Peppermint reclaims HOYS working hunter pony title with 10-year-old jockey

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘He’s our boy’: pony of a lifetime, from the same stud as Charlotte Dujardin’s first top ride, reigns at HOYS

Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited websitesubscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October

Grey Shires perform final act of service for The Queen

Lucy Elder — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:33:58 +0000

A pair of Shire horses who appeared in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Royal Windsor Horse Show have undertaken a final act of service for The Queen.

Operation Centaur’s working Shires Heath and Nobby, aged 17 and 14 respectively, have been helping collect the many thousands of floral tributes in Green Park and Hyde Park.

The pair, who both stand at 18.3hh, pulled flatbed drays – a traditional open card usually used in conservation work across the Royal Parks – to help collect the flowers left by members of the public in tribute to Her Majesty.

They took the bouquets to the leaf pen in Kensington Gardens, where they will be blended with leaf litter and other green waste, to be composted and turned into mulch. That compost will in turn be used in London’s parks, including for the floral displays outside Buckingham Palace.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Volunteers load floral tributess to Queen Elizabeth II into a trailer in Green Park on September 27, 2022 in London, England. Once plastics and elastic bands have been removed, the flowers are transported by shire horse to the Kensington Gardens leaf yard where they will be composted down and used throughout the Royal Parks. (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

“The thousands of tributes that have been left held great sentiment for the people who travelled from all over the country to mark their respects for The Queen and they have created a tranquil and beautiful garden visited by so many,” said Andrew Williams, park manager at Kensington Gardens, the Royal Parks.

“We felt that it was appropriate to continue the story of the tributes by creating compost at our green-waste facility here in Kensington Gardens, to support new shoots of life and colourful displays of flowers in spring.

“The mulch generated from the organic material will enrich the soil of the Royal Parks over the coming years.

“The flowers will provide pleasure to the millions of visitors to the Royal Parks in the future, and will enhance these incredible green spaces within London by providing a valuable habitat for invertebrates including bees and butterflies.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Volunteers sort through floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park on September 27, 2022 in London, England. Once plastics and elastic bands have been removed, the flowers are transported by shire horse to the Kensington Gardens leaf yard where they will be composted down and used throughout the Royal Parks. (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

Staff and volunteers filled the working drays with the bouquets and other artefacts, removing any remaining cellophane wrappings and elastic bands, ensuring that only organic material is composted.

Cards, teddies and other artefacts are being stored in the Royal Parks, while a decision is made on what to do with them. The waste plastic is being sent to a materials recovery facility, which will separate out anything that can be recycled.

Operation Centaur is a London-based equine charity that works with rare breed heavy horses in conservation, heritage, equine therapy and community projects.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Here comes the Shetland!’ 18hh Shire takes on inter-hunt relay

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 18:51:01 +0000

“Here comes Ben Colman on his Shetland pony,” said the commentator for the inter-hunt relay at the Royal Cornwall Show – as 18hh Shire horse Sampson thundered into the ring.

Ben and his eight-year-old gelding, whom he has owned seven years, have been setting the hunting field and hunter trials alight, as reported by H&H last year, so the relay, on the Cury hunt team, had to be the next step.

Ben told H&H the combination have also been enjoying showing success, in heavy-horse ridden classes, before they started their practice for the relay.

“The crowd got right behind us because they knew it was unusual,” he said. “He went really well.”

Ben said there were “a few reasonable jumps” in the course, including a parallel through which the horses had to walk, then jump later in the round (pictured).

“I thought he might demolish it!” he said. “But he flew over and the crowd went mad. They saw what he could do, it was great, and to go into the arena with about 2,000 people around it – it’s a bit different to a local show!”

The pair had one down, and a slight sat-nav error meant they jumped one of the other team’s lines of jumps, but Ben said when he finished his round, “I was so buzzing, I didn’t realise”.

“I did a take my own line!’ he added.

The team finished fourth, and Ben said: “For me, the main thing was he went so well.”

The pair will now carry on doing their “bit of everything”; hunting is their first love but having won one heavy-horse showing class, Ben said: “We’ve now got the bit between our teeth and will try to win another one. He’s great.”

Young Shire transforms from field companion to brave police horse in five weeks

Becky Murray — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:45:07 +0000

A four-year-old Shire who was a field companion five weeks ago is impressing officers with his bravery in his new police career.

Soloman joined South Yorkshire Police’s mounted unit at Ring Farm in Cudworth following an appeal from the force to find a new police horse earlier this year.

“A local woman got in touch to say she thought her horse had potential,” said a South Yorkshire Police spokesman, who added that all horses that join the unit must pass a four-week trial to ensure they have the correct temperament and potential to be a police horse.

Soloman has since received his police horse name, Wortley, but is known as Sully around the farm. He stands at 17.2hh but is expected to grow and could become the force’s biggest horse, if he overtakes 18hh Hoyland.

“Our horses don’t sit an interview or a test like we do, but they have to show us that they are brave, inquisitive, laid back and not fazed by what can usually be a scary experience for a horse,” said PC Sally Bellamy, who has been training Sully.

“At only four years old he has maturity beyond his years, in the past five weeks he has showed us how ‘bombproof’ he is. He has been around all types of traffic and machinery, which is a large part of what we do and our horses must remain sensible.

“He’s been on patrol in all of our city and town centres, taking in all the sights and sounds, and fuss from shoppers. He’s a cheeky and playful boy who shows an interest in everything. He’s affectionate and already has a piece of my heart.”

The spokesman added that the force’s mounted officers sometimes have to make arrests when on patrol – during which a second officer will hold the horses while a stop and search or arrest takes place – and Sully’s first arrest involved a person suspected of shoplifting.

“A man suspected of shoplifting was fleeing the shops while we were on patrol. I immediately asked Wortley to trot and chase after the man, requesting him to stop. Wortley didn’t hesitate, left the other horses and did everything I asked of him,” said PC Bellamy.

“After arresting the man and returning to the horsebox after our patrol, I sat watching Wortley eat his hay and thought, ‘I can’t believe that five weeks ago you were in a field as a companion and now you’re a police horse already showing you have a great career ahead of you’.”

PC Bellamy said “as well as making an impression” among officers and staff, Sully has also made “quite the impact” in the field, and has formed friendships with police horses Brinsworth, Foggy and Bawtry.

“I’m excited to see him learn and develop in his new job,” she said.

Sully’s former owner Becky said she was pleased he had found his home with the police.

“I am so proud to see him on patrol, looking after the communities of South Yorkshire, and after visiting him earlier this week can see how happy and well cared for he is,” she said.

“He’s a sweet boy, who I know will be a great police horse.”

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Farewell to passionate breeder who raised the profile of Shire horses

Becky Murray — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 11:03:21 +0000

Alistair King, the founder of Cotebrooke Shire Horse Centre and Stud Farm died on 15 March, aged 74, from cancer.

Born in 1947, Alistair was christened William Alistair King after his father, who was from Musselburgh. Being half Scottish gave Alistair a lasting love of Scotland, and he named his fillies after lochs and his colts after Scottish mountains.

Alistair met his first wife, Sheila, while running the Alvanley Arms in Cotebrook. The couple had two children, Steven and Matthew. He bought his first Shire, Knutsford Sunbeam, from Frank Williamson, starting a lifelong love of the breed. When he bred his first foal, he chose one of the most successful Shire stallions of the 1970s, Hillmoor Enterprise, and later bought a filly, Hillmoor Leah, by the same stallion. With guidance from Alistair’s mentor, Arthur Gardner, Leah went on to win 18 supreme championships and was the first of many to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show.

Following his divorce, Alistair sold most of his Shires, but with his wife Janet, whom he married in 1990, he bought Moorfield Charles in1995. Charlie became the foundation stallion of Cotebrook Shire Stud, producing a string of exceptional horses before he was put down in 2004 owing to a twisted gut.

In 2003, Cotebrooke Shire Horse Centre opened to the public and it was made a Shire Horse Society-approved visitor centre. Alistair was passionate about preventing the threat of extinction for Shires, and the continual improvement of the breed. The introduction of Moorfield Edward to Cotebrook Stud proved successful, with Edward’s genes complementing the daughters of Moorfield Charles.

Alistair’s son Matthew is engrossed in Shires, as is his grandson Cameron. Still a teenager, Cameron is already buying and selling ponies. Much to his grandfather’s delight, he also wears the signature red trousers for which Alistair became famous in the show ring.

Alistair was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer at the end of October and given a few months to live. He told the doctors he wanted to see his first foal of the season born and see his horses at the national championships in March. Cotebrook Cairnsmore of Fleet was born on 26 January and although Alistair was too ill to attend the national championships, he was thrilled to hear of the stud’s success, which included Cotebrook Arkle taking supreme champion stallion. Sadly, he died 36 hours after the show.

Janet and Matthew will continue Alistair’s legacy by preserving his vision and the future of Cotebrook Shire Stud.

‘She’s lovely with him’: Shire mare takes on orphaned colt alongside her own foal

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 29 May 2022 18:51:06 +0000

A Shire colt whose mother died within minutes of his birth has been taken on by another Shire mare alongside her own foal.

Mandy Worthington, who owns the farm on which Shire horses and cattle are kept, with her husband Jonathan, told H&H the two as-yet unnamed colts and 17-year-old mare Acle May Queen have settled into a “nice little threesome”.

“It’s possible May favours her own foal slightly but she’s lovely with the other one and they all go wandering round the field together; it’s so nice,” she said.

Mandy said she and Jonathan had been up on foal watch for a couple of nights before 14 May, when their eight-year-old mare Penbryn Perfect Harmony (Mo) showed signs of going into labour.

“With Shires, it’s very quick, almost blink and you miss it,” she said, adding that the birth was straightforward but “we could see Mo wasn’t quite right” afterwards.

“I couldn’t put my finger on it but she kept trying to lie down again,” she said. “We always give the mares a warm bran mash straight after foaling, to give everyone a chance to get their breath back and give them energy but she just wasn’t interested.”

Within 10 minutes, the mare had died, which the vet thinks may have been owing to a burst artery.

“The foal was sitting up and very alert,” Mandy said. “Jonathan drew three jugs of colostrum from Mo and within 20 minutes of foaling, he took a bottle. It was almost like he knew he had to make the most of the opportunity, and he never looked back.”

The Worthingtons fed the colt every two hours overnight, and he was thriving, then the couple thought of May, who had given birth to a colt the previous week.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“She’s an old pro at being a mum and we wondered if she’d take to this foal,” Mandy said.

“We brought her in and she had a little bit of sedation, which the vet suggested, and she just stood there. It took a few of us to guide the colt to where he needed to be but within a few hours, we had the three of them together in the stable and him drinking from her as and when.”

The two colts palled up straight away and the three are now a family. Mandy said she is keeping a close watch to ensure May has enough milk for both colts, and has bought milk pellets and milk replacer if needed.

“But at the moment, they’re doing well, a nice threesome,” she said. “It’s so unusual; with sheep you can do it quite easily but I think it’s rarer with foals, especially like this when May’s was a week old, so it’s lovely to see the three of them.”

Mandy added that she posted on social media soon after Mo died to ask if there were any foster mares available and her post was shared some 32,000 times.

“I know there are lots of bad things about social media but there are also lots of good things, and this is one of them,” she said. “People seem so interested; someone’s asked if he can come and paint the foals, and I think as heartbreaking as this was, people like a happy ending after something so awful.”

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‘His head’s as big as my torso’: meet the horses flying the flag for Shires in dressage

Polly Bryan — Sat, 14 May 2022 12:19:56 +0000

Shire horses and dressage don’t traditionally mix, but over recent years, more and more people have seen the potential Shire horses have as riding and sport horses. Shires and part-bred Shires are beginning to pop up across the disciplines, excelling everywhere from the show ring to the hunting field, as well as the dressage arena. Here are some of the Shire horses competing successfully in dressage to look out for…

Roughcote Jupiter

A pure-bred Shire probably wouldn’t be what most people think of when they imagine a fantastic para dressage horse, but Roughcote Jupiter is turning out to be an exciting international prospect for grade II Paralympic multi-medallist Lee Pearson.

Huge congratulations to everyone who travelled to Myerscough International Equine Arena to compete at the Niagara…Posted by British Dressage – Para Matters on Monday, March 14, 2022

“His head is as big as my torso and he’s a bit like a whale when he looks at me with his little eye,” Lee has said of Elizabeth Green’s eight-year-old gelding who stands 18.1hh. “But his strengths are his constant engagement, his laid-back attitude and his willingness to learn.”

The pair claimed three seconds at the Keysoe international in March and have scored almost 75% in the short time they have been together.

Chatsworth Chieftain

This 15-year-old part-bred Shire horse has competed up to prix st georges level dressage with rider Alice Elliott. He has been extremely successful at medium and advanced medium levels in particular; the pair have won their past 11 British Dressage tests, with several scores over 70%, and Alice describes him as “very honest and genuine”.

Posted by Alice Elliott on Sunday, April 25, 2021

“He was bred at Chatsworth House in the farmyard complex, because they had a Shire mare,” explains Alice, who bought the 15-year-old gelding a decade ago. “This time she happened to be put to a grand prix stallion, Longdean Westminster.

“He was a bit of a lad as a youngster and quite sharp, but we now call him Mr Consistent as he tends to get a good score every time out,” she added of “Big Murph”.

Cumeragh House Mac

Posted by Samantha Fish Dressage on Tuesday, August 17, 2021

This veteran may be 21, but is still flying the flag for Shire horses and part-breds in dressage. The Shire/thoroughbred gelding claimed the inter I bronze title at Beacons Equestrian Area Festival earlier this year and has previously competed up to grand prix.

His rider, Samantha Fish, bought Mac as a four-year-old, and describes him as having plenty of “movement and power”.

“I have three Shire crosses and they have such grace about them,” added Samantha. “They’re so athletic and light on their feet.”

Snowden Faberge

Kate Dwyer (IRL) riding Snowdon Faberge during the FEI Grand Prix de Dressage at the FEI Longines European Championships Jumping, Dressage & Para-Dressage Rotterdam 2019 held in Kralingse Bos in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on 19-25th August 2019 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Part-bred Shire gelding “Fabio”, who was bred in Wales, has caused a stir on the international grand prix scene over the past few years, helping Ireland to a historic Olympic team qualification at the European Championships in 2019 with Kate Dwyer. The pair went on to win the grand prix special at the Al Shaqab CHI5* in 2020, becoming the first Irish combination ever to win a five-star grand prix special. Not bad for a chunky gelding with “feet like dinner plates”, according to Kate.

“Because he is big and heavy-set people think I have to kick him along, but he’s actually hypersensitive. Right from the start of his career, his work has always been rhythmical, harmonious and sweet,” she has said.

“I always used to joke that he could go off and plough a field after our test!”

Walter and Giddy

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

This pair may not be competing in dressage today, but no list of successful Shires is complete without British Olympic dressage rider’s Carol Parsons’ two part-bred Shires, Walter and Giddy (pictured). Carol trained both of them all the way to grand prix, competing internationally with them. Walter finished fifth in the grand prix and freestyle at the Hickstead CDI in 2004, while Giddy was second at the nationals in 2005 and 2006 and then became the Hickstead Dressage Masters Champion in 2008.

Warning over Hackneys’ future in latest rare-breeds watchlist

Becky Murray — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 18:03:47 +0000

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is “renewing its warning” about the future of the Hackney horse and pony, after just 31 registered foals were born last year.

The 2022/23 RBST watchlist published this month features seven breeds in the “priority” category; Hackneys, Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Exmoors and Eriskays. Clydesdales, Fells, Highlands, New Forests and Shires have been classed as “at risk”. Shetlands and Welsh ponies and cobs appear in the “UK native breeds” category, and Connemaras and Irish Draughts are listed in the “Irish breeds in the UK” category. The categories are based on population size, taking into account numbers of males and females and the degree of inbreeding. All the breeds remain in the same category as the 2021/22 watchlist.

The RBST reported that while the numbers of Eriskays, Suffolks and Cleveland Bays remains low, the “stability in the breeds’ data in 2021 is positive”. But there are “extreme concerns” around Hackneys.

“The Hackney breed, which already had very low numbers, has seen further decline over the past year with just 31 females producing registered progeny from only 12 breeders. This compares with more than 300 breeding females registered in 2011,” said an RBST spokesman, adding that the organisation is urging more people to support the breed’s modern uses.

Mark Hardy, chairman of the Hackney Horse Society, told H&H the pandemic and increase in the cost of living had caused issues for breeders, and they are also limited in choices as there are so few of them.

“After the Second World War, there was a big revival of Hackneys and at the time there were lots of breeders and trainers. But as time has gone on, many have passed away or moved on to other things,” he said.

“As an organisation, we are really trying to promote the breed and show how versatile it is and hopefully we will see more people using them in other disciplines and create more demand. People usually associate Hackneys with driving and showing, but they’re also very good all-rounders.”

According to the RBST, the number of Shire foals registered last year was 228, down from 250 in 2020. The number of overall New Forest breeders registering progeny has declined – as has the number of dams, which the RBST classifies as mares who have had at least one foal, but the breed still has the greatest number of dams of all the rare equine breeds. Though Dartmoors and Exmoors remain on the priority list for 2022/23, there has been an “important increase” in the number of dams, which is “crucial” for managing inbreeding in breeds with low numbers.

“The Exmoor data is the highest recorded since 2017, with the number of dams up 37% on 2020 and Dartmoors have also made significant progress with the number of breeders registering progeny at its highest since 2011, and the number of dams up 46% on 2020,” RBST senior conversation adviser Tom Blunt told H&H.

“Both breeds have also seen an improvement in effective population size which indicates successful management of inbreeding.”

Meet the Household Cavalry’s new drum horse learning his trade at HOYS

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 20:01:18 +0000

The new drum horse in the Household Cavalry musical ride, currently appearing at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), had “big shoes to fill”, but is “performing immaculately”.

Fellow Shire Perseus has been learning the job fast as there was a gap to fill. Captain Will Long of the Life Guards, officer in charge of the musical ride, and drum horse groom Trooper Kieran Philpott talked H&H through the drum horses’ training process.

“Perseus had big shoes to fill,” Capt Long said. “Our Shires go through the training, and he’d been doing that, and on The Queen’s birthday parade, but he’s now been promoted to our number one.

“He’s been having some pretty intense training, and practising with the Household Cavalry band and the drums, the intensity of the music — as well as being the centre of attention.”

The 13-year-old gelding was slightly spooked at first by the huge atmosphere of the Andrews Bowen international arena; it was his first time anywhere like it.

“You can put the noise through a speaker system but you can’t train for the vibrations of the crowd clapping,” Capt Long explained. “It’s quite an intimidating atmosphere — for the showjumpers, everyone stays quiet till they’ve finished but with him, he’s the centre of attention from the start — but he’s done wonderfully.”

Capt Long said the whole routine depends on the beat and cues from the drum horse and drummer, who uses foot reins to communicate with his horse.

“There have been some interesting training moments when in London, getting him used to the sound and weight of the drums led to some interesting training days!” he aid. “But Perseus has been immaculate since then.”

Trooper Philpott, who described Perseus as a “gentle giant who loves attention”, explained that the training takes about four years. The drum horses are introduced to saddles first.

“Then we start long-reining, to get them used to the foot reins,” he said, adding that the next step is a drum saddle, without the drums, and then “standing-out training”, where the horse learns to stand with his front feet slightly forward and hind legs further back, for better weight distribution in preparation for carrying the drums.

The horse will then learn to carry the copper drums, weighing 10kg each, first without and then with a rider, and lots of rewards. The final step is carrying the silver drums, the Blues and Royals set at 50kg each and the Life Guards drums, at 52kg each.

Capt Long explained that the silver drums are priceless.

“The silver was taken at some point after the American Revolution, then the cast was broken. For this reason they are irreplaceable,” he said.

Capt Long added that all the soldiers taking part in the Household Cavalry musical ride are operational, adding: “It’s the only regiment in the world with soldiers that do both roles; ceremonial and operational. On Monday, it’s very likely these soldiers will be outside Horse Guards Parade acting as the sovereign’s bodyguards.

“They all enjoy doing this, and I think the horses do too, including Perseus, and I think he’ll enjoy it more as he gets used to it. He just wants to get out there and show off.”

Shire mare orphaned at birth overcomes twisted leg and major surgery to qualify for HOYS

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 20:31:37 +0000

A Shire mare who was orphaned when she was hours old, and bottle-fed every two hours for months with a sheep called Rodger as a friend, has overcome a twisted leg and major surgery to qualify for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Sarah Warburton’s Hillmoor Lucky Lady’s dam Hillmoor Double Trouble had to be put down owing to a prolapsed uterus, and it was thought Lucky might not survive either.

“The vet came out and it was thought the kindest thing might be to put her to sleep,” Sarah told H&H. “I said: ‘You’re not shooting her’, thinking if she didn’t live, at least I’d tried. I had to give her that chance.”

Lucky had been born early in the year and there were no surrogate mares available so Sarah bottle-fed the filly every two hours for months.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“It was a funny time!” Sarah said. “I used to have to have babysitters if I went out, and after nights out, I’d go back and feed her. She had a big teddy bear with her for a while, to cuddle up to, then one day we were bringing the sheep in and we had one called Rodger who was really friendly — they lived together for months.

“I’m not sure if Lucky knew whether she was a sheep, a horse or a human, and I’m not sure if Rodger knew either.”

Sarah estimates she spent £2,000-£3,000 on milk for Lucky, then vets dropped another bombshell.

“She’s the most expensive horse I’ve ever had, even though I didn’t pay anything for her!” Sarah said. “When she was four months old, we found out she had an umbilical hernia and needed an operation.”

Terrified the filly would not survive the surgery, Sarah waited until she was three, two years ago, with vets’ approval.

The operation was a success and Lucky made a full recovery, and when she was old enough, she was backed and Sarah started riding her.

“Everyone said she wasn’t good enough to do what I wanted to do, but the more people said that, the more I thought ‘She’s going to HOYS’,” Sarah said.

“This year, we’ve done six shows, and at the sixth one she did it.”

On 14 August at Stoneleigh, Lucky and Sarah qualified for the British ridden heavy horse championship.

“She made all my dreams come true,” Sarah said. “I’ve had so many ponies and horses but she’s my life. Bottle-feeding her was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but also the most rewarding, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

“She had a twisted fetlock when she was born too; her foot faced the wrong way, and the vet said we should Tubigrip it, and it did straighten itself out. She also suffers badly with sweet itch but Snuggy Hoods sent me some gear and we’ve never looked back. I’m very lucky, hence her name.”

Sarah said she is looking forward to HOYS.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “It would be great to get a result there, but it’s amazing just to qualify. I can’t wait to trot round that big arena and show off my orphan foal who everyone said wasn’t good enough.”

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(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

‘Heavy horses can do it’: 18hh Shire enjoys hunting and hunter trials with aplomb

“You see people looking and thinking ‘Really?’ but when they see him go, they understand”

(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

Pride as Shire mare starts journey to be Household Cavalry’s first female drum horse

“It was very emotional seeing her go but we know she’ll have a wonderful home and be looked after in

(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

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‘Fantastic opportunity’ for most at-risk rare breeds in new championship classes

Becky Murray — Sat, 29 May 2021 15:27:03 +0000

Rare breeds of the “highest concern” will be recognised at a show with new championship classes aimed at promoting the breeds’ high standards.

For the first time the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July) will host Rare Breed Survival Trust watchlist classes, with the highest-placed horses and ponies going on to compete in the RBST championship for priority and at-risk breeds. The classes follow the release of the 2021/2022 RBST watchlist published last month with updated categories; priority, at risk, UK native breeds and Irish breeds in the UK. Previously the categories were critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority.

Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Eriskays, Exmoors, Hackneys and Suffolk horses appear in the priority category. Clydesdale horses, Fell and Highland ponies, New Forests, and Shires have been classed as at risk.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price told H&H the watchlist classes will give dedicated owners and breeders of rare native horses and ponies the chance to demonstrate their “amazingly high standards”, and show the great potential of the breeds.

“We hope this will also encourage more people to get involved in the work to ensure rare native equine breeds such as Eriskays and Suffolks can thrive long into the future,” he said.

RBST chairman Gale Sprake added that with competitions so severely limited over the last 18 months, the trust is delighted to provide this “fantastic opportunity” to celebrate rare breeds, as well as the people, organisations and communities that support their survival.

“Each of our native pony and horse breeds has its own characteristics, unique features and history and each has played an extraordinary role in our nation’s history,” she said.

“The new RBST priority and at-risk classes at the Norfolk Equestrian Show will really show why they are special.”

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive Mark Nicholas said the organisation is “thrilled” to be welcoming competitors.

Continued below…

(Image credit: Linda Trotman)

Seven equine breeds classed as ‘highest concern’ in Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist

The 2021/22 watchlist, published this week (8 April), has been updated with new categories: priority, at risk, UK native breeds

(Image credit: Linda Trotman)

Your breed needs you: push to save our rare horses H&H Plus

(Image credit: Linda Trotman)

“We are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with RBST and helping them to promote the importance of breed diversity and survival,” he said.

The show’s organisers hope that holding the “streamlined” show behind closed doors in 2021 will support the planned return of a full Royal Norfolk Show in June 2022. The schedule includes in-hand and ridden classes and retains Horse of the Year Show qualifiers from the cancelled Royal Norfolk Show. Entries close on 30 June.

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Pride as Shire mare starts journey to be Household Cavalry’s first female drum horse

Becky Murray — Fri, 14 May 2021 06:03:44 +0000

Breeders said an “emotional goodbye” to a Shire mare this week as she headed to the Household Cavalry to become the regiment’s first female drum horse.

Dyfed Shire Horses’s homebred Willa Rose was collected by the Household Cavalry on 11 May to begin her two-year training. The eight-year-old 18.3hh mare will be reunited with her former “farm friend” Ed, who joined the regiment in January 2020. The farm also sold Dyfed Grey Celt to the Household Cavalry in 2008.

Dyfed Shire Horses owner Huw Murphy told H&H it was a “source of pride and a privilege” to have bred a horse deemed “good enough” for the role of drum horse with the cavalry. The mare’s sire Dyfed JR also has a military career, having been sold to the Royal Cavalry in Oman in 2017.

“Willa Rose is the first female Shire to be taken by the Household Cavalry for this role which is quite an achievement,” said Huw. “I think the fact we supplied them with two good geldings meant they were prepared to take the chance on a mare.

“She is fully broken to ride and drive and has been working on the farm since she was three. She’s a very willing horse, with a docile quiet nature.”

Huw, who currently owns nine Shires, said Willa Rose will be missed.

“It was very emotional seeing her go but we know she’ll have a wonderful home and be looked after in fantastic facilities,” he said.

“We know that whatever the outcome, she’ll return to the farm at some point; be it retirement at the end of service or if in the unlikely event she’s deemed not suitable she’ll return to us for farm work – but I’m confident she’ll make the grade.”

Continued below…

(Image credit: Dyfed Shire Horses)

‘A hell of a horse’: Shire bought for £500 joins Household Cavalry

(Image credit: Dyfed Shire Horses)

The two horses are destined to take part in events similar to the Trooping of the Colour, in a royal

(Image credit: Dyfed Shire Horses)

Huw has previously been to London to visit the barracks at Knightsbridge and attended the ceremonial Trooping of the Colour of which Dyfed Grey Celt (now known as Major Mercury) has participated in on multiple occasions.

“The Household Cavalry have been very supportive and they’ve agreed to deploy a drum horse to the farm for an official visit in August, when he will parade in full uniform so we are looking forward to that.”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

‘Heavy horses can do it’: 18hh Shire enjoys hunting and hunter trials with aplomb

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 08 May 2021 06:01:46 +0000

The owner and rider of an 18hh purebred Shire who competes in hunter trials and hunts all day wants to promote the fact “heavy horses can do it too”.

Ben Colman bought Sampson as a yearling, having never owned a horse before, six years ago.

“He’s the real deal; the main man,” Ben told H&H. “I’m convinced there’s nothing like him.”

Ben has ridden since childhood; he lived in London but had “strong links” with Cornwall, where he first sat on a horse, then hunted on Exmoor as a teenager. London life put paid to riding for 10-15 years, but then he moved to Cornwall 10 years ago.

“I’d never owned a horse and didn’t know what the hell I was doing!” he said. “I saw this advert, and only went because the farmer was local.

“Sampson was standing in the yard, covered in mud, a yearling who wasn’t much handled. Two days later, the breeder said he had interest, and I said ‘I’ll come with the money’.

“I gave him £1,800 and he gave me a piece of rope with a horse on the end.”

Ben then went through a tough time, as he was made redundant, and Sampson’s breeder, Gordon Mugford of Treveor Shires, asked if he wanted his money back.

“But I wasn’t going to let him go,” Ben said. “I’ve always loved heavy horses, and this was a one-off opportunity.”

Later, Sampson was backed, and was “as good as gold” throughout, and “hasn’t put a foot wrong since”, Ben said.

“I’m lucky because I’ve got beaches within 15 minutes’ hacking, so we go there, and he’s good in traffic, but I really bought him because I wanted to hunt him,” Ben said.

“I started with autumn hunting, then he started jumping, and he loved it.”

Ben said he and Sampson have been to a number of hunter trials, always the only Shire of hundreds of entries.

“You see people looking and thinking ‘Really?’ but when they see him go, they understand,” he said. “He’s not the quickest, and he’s never going to win, but that’s not the point.

“I love him and he’s special, and that’s all I want.”

Ben says negotiating low branches in woods can be a slight issue, owing to Sampson’s height, but otherwise, he is responsive, easy to control and not fazed by anything.

“Luckily, in our country, we don’t gallop for miles on flat fields; we go for a run, stop and get our breath back and then go again, which suits him,” he said.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

Gunner the Shire teams up with new best mate Steve the Shetland for happy retirement

The 18.3hh gelding has chummed up with Steve in his new home

(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

Shire foal named by The Queen welcomes her first visitors

The foal was born on The Queen’s official birthday, 21 April

(Image credit: Lisa Wood Photography)

“He goes for the full day and jumps everything all the others do, but he never pulls and is always in a snaffle. He’s never refused or anything, he’s a lovely horse.

“I’m not a betting man but I’d say it’s likely there’s no other horse like him; a pure Shire who does what he does. But heavy horses can do it; if they’ve got the right conformation, then yes, they can do whatever they want.”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Farmer and Shires take on 600-mile trip to help those who helped his family

Sarah Radford — Tue, 04 May 2021 06:01:05 +0000

A farmer and Shire enthusiast will be driving his horses on a 600-mile trip from Gloucestershire to Morayshire this summer, to raise funds for the charity that helped support his brother through more than a decade of round-the-clock nursing care.

Jamie Alcock, who runs Coldcroft Shires, usually offers experience days and carriage rides with his three horses at his working traditional farm in Huntley.

But after a year of lockdown — during which he rarely left the farm as he was classed as clinically vulnerable — he now has plans to hit the road for a six-week fundraising trip to northeast Scotland.

Jamie plans to camp out with the horses during the challenge, which is raising money for Police Care UK and The Fire Fighters Charity.

These independent charities both support serving and retired police officers and firefighters when they have been harmed as a result of their work, and offer free practical, emotional and financial assistance including counselling.

Jamie’s brother PC John Alcock was an officer with Grampian police, stationed at Elgin in Morayshire, when he was involved in a car accident while heading to a royal protection shift at Balmoral in 2003.

He suffered a devastating head injury and never regained consciousness, dying 14 years later in 2017.

“As sad as it what happened to my brother was, the real inspiration was the way the police charities and federation responded, not just to what happened to him on the day but afterwards. They did a lot to help his partner and young son,” Jamie told H&H.

Some two years after the accident, John returned home to a hospital room that had been created at his house. He received round-the-clock care from two nurses, funded by a mixture of charities and the police federation.

“He eventually received a big compensation payout, which was eaten up with care, but the charities wouldn’t take a penny back for what they had done,” Jamie said. “I have always thought that I could never repay them but I know with what has happened with Covid in the last 12 months, charities have taken a massive hit and now I want to raise money to put it back in the pot to help other people.”

Jamie’s eight-year-old Shires Mollie and William will begin their journey on Saturday, 5 June, when they will be sent on their way by the chief constable of Gloucestershire and representatives of the fire and rescue service.

They will be accompanied by Jamie’s collie Boo Boo Beithe, who will help with security, while Jamie is also inviting up to two people at a time to join him on his carriage for a donation of £30 per person.

Jamie has already had support pledged by his veterinary physiotherapist Vet Physio UK, who will treat the horses before and during the trip, and Carriagehouse Insurance, which has insured his journey at its own expense. Transport for the horses and carriage is also being provided by Eric Gillies.

“I will always stay with the horses throughout the trip but I am starting to get some generous offers of places we can stop,” added Jamie, who hopes to keep to a schedule of 20 miles a day. “I’m just hoping every now and then someone will let me use their bath!

“I will be carrying enough water to wash the horses down and I do have a support vehicle, which isn’t following me every step of the way but will be there to help refill hay and water when needed.”

Continues below…

(Image credit: Coldcroft Shires)

Public asked to help name Shire filly who is pulling the crowds

“Having the mare and foal here has brought a whole new group of people through our gates”

(Image credit: Coldcroft Shires)

‘Mark of esteem’ to Prince Philip as Suffolk foal named in his honour

The colt was welcomed at 9pm on 17 April

(Image credit: Coldcroft Shires)

A lifelong horse-lover, Jamie fulfilled a long-term ambition to own a Shire when he retired from his job as a dry-stone waller and bought Coldcroft Farm some six years ago.

He farms Gloucestershire cattle, Cotsworld sheep, west of England geese and Gloucester old spot pigs in a “very old-fashioned traditional way”, including using the Shires to maintain the land and make hay, preserving and teaching historic skills.

Anyone wanting to donate money towards the charities can do so on Jamie’s fundraising page.

The journey can also be followed in real time online and on Instagram at Straight From The Horses’ Mouth 2021.

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Public asked to help name Shire filly who is pulling the crowds

Sarah Radford — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 12:07:17 +0000

A Shire filly who was born on Easter Sunday (4 April) has been drawing the crowds to a city farm park — and she needs a name.

The new arrival was the first foal for her five-year-old dam Lottie (Lockley Band of Gold) and arrived shortly before Graves Animal Farm Park, which is run by Sheffield City Council, reopened to the public on April 12.

“She’s been a massive attraction,” said the park’s head stockman Jack Todd. “Lottie is such a placid mare and great with the public and having her and the foal here has brought a whole new group of people through our gates.

“We’ve still got restricted numbers per session at the moment because of Covid but we’ve also been doing a lot of Facebook videos and updates on her progress and they’ve been extremely popular.”

The 25-acre farm park, ten minutes’ drive from Sheffield city centre and free to enter, is home to almost 400 animals and sits within 250 acres of land that were gifted to the people of Sheffield by J G Graves in the 1920s.

Although the animal farm park started out as a rare breeds centre, it subsequently expanded, but the Shire filly’s birth is a nod to its origins.

“We’re doing our bit to help the breed as it’s classed as at risk,” added Jack.

“We won’t be keeping the foal (whose passport name is Graves Park Golden Princess), she will be looking for a five-star lifetime home once she is weaned, but we are looking to put Lottie back in foal in a couple of years’ time.”

Lottie, who was bred by Matthew Gregory in Cheshire, arrived at the park in March 2020, shortly before the first national lockdown.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Gunner the Shire teams up with new best mate Steve the Shetland for happy retirement

The 18.3hh gelding has chummed up with Steve in his new home

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Shire breeding line that has produced a champion riding horse and Burghley eventer…

‘The Shire temprament has definitely stuck through the generations, too. They’re such placid and trainable horses...’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The mare and her filly live alongside two Shetlands — Twinkle and Sprinkle — and the park is also home to two miniature donkeys, Jimmy and Florence.

Staff at the park are now inviting the public to help chose a stable name for the filly, who is the first horse foal they have bred.

Voting for a name for the foal closes this weekend and votes can be cast on Facebook.

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Gunner the Shire teams up with new best mate Steve the Shetland for happy retirement

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 05:58:01 +0000

Gunner the Shire horse is enjoying retirement, after a short but glamorous career, with his “new best friend” — Steve the Shetland pony.

The 18.3hh gelding, who was retired aged seven with soundness issues, has chummed up with Steve in his new home in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Gunner had spent the previous four years in Blackburn, at the headquarters of Lancashire brewer and hotelier Daniel Thwaites, acting as an ambassador for the company, which owns pubs and spa hotels.

Gunner, with Thwaites’ other Shires Wainwright, 15, five-year-old Ribble and four-year-old Drummer, travelled some 10,000 miles a year, meeting fans at pub openings, fun days and other activities.

“Although still in his prime at seven, Gunner’s recurring back condition meant the company’s resident team of horsemen had to make the difficult decision to retire him early,” a Thwaites spokesman said.

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(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Runaway Shetland Mildred joins in with 10km race

The unusually hairy competitor kept up with runners from the 7km to the 9km marker, where she was eventually caught

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

23 great (or awful) horsey jokes to put a smile on your face

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

“He will now enjoy a slower pace of life eating grass and roaming the Shropshire farm’s many acres with Steve the Shetland.”

Shires delivered Thwaites beer to pubs in Lancashire from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. In the 1960s, horses returned to the firm as its mascots.

Executive chairman Richard Bailey said: “Gunner is a kind-natured horse and one of our largest Shires who won many people over through his appearances at shows and in our pubs and hotels.

“Of course, we’re very sad to see Gunner retire and move on, but this story has a happy ending. Gunner is joining a family who are connected to David Kay, one of the previous managing directors of Thwaites whose idea it originally was to bring the Shire horses back.

“Our head horseman Richard Green and his team provide the best care for our Shires. They remain an iconic part of the Thwaites brand and we hope to have them out and about greeting their fans again as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Shire foal named by The Queen welcomes her first visitors

Sarah Radford — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 15:28:16 +0000

A Shire foal who was named by The Queen has welcomed her first visitors at a Welsh tourist attraction.

Dyfed Guinevere, who was born at Dyfed Shire Horse farm on The Queen’s official birthday, April 21, was finally able to greet the public when lockdown restrictions were eased.

Owner Huw Murphy approached Buckingham Palace to offer Her Majesty the chance to name the foal as it he felt it might appeal to her interest in horses, and received a “very nice” letter in return accepting the request.

The working farm, in Pembrokeshire’s coastal national park, already has links to the royals, having received both Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall as visitors — the duchess also named a foal, Dyfed Merlin, in 2018. Huw has also sold two Shires to the Household Cavalry as drum horses in recent years.

The farm, which has been in the same family for eight generations, reopened on 21 July with Covid measures in place and has seen a steady footfall since.

“Our visitor numbers are a bit lower, which is understandable, but we’re holding our own and people do seem to love seeing the foals. They are very much a focal point for a lot of people,” Huw told H&H.

Guinevere is the first foal out of her dam, homebred 12-year-old Dyfed Santorini, who has only one functioning ovary.

“We had expensive efforts to get her in foal as she has a weak ovary and tends to either not take or re-absorb,” Huw said. “We had to send her to specialists.”

[collection name=”small”]

Santorini is also sister to Dyfed Grey Celt (now known as “Mercury”), who was sold to the Household Cavalry in 2008. Ed, originally bought as a foal at auction for £500, was also sold to the regiment last year.

As well as adding Guinevere to his herd, Huw has also bought a colt foal from Shire Horse Society secretary Victoria Clayton this year, while two donkey foals have also been born at the farm.

“There really is something quite nice about having Shire foals. Their numbers aren’t really increasing — they are on the rare breeds watchlist, which is one of the reasons I have them,” Hugh added. “It is nice for people to be able to watch these two playing together.”

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Operation to remove painful tooth in rescued Shire goes ahead thanks to supporters

Lucy Elder — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 16:23:05 +0000

A rescued Shire horse has undergone successful dental surgery to remove a painful tooth thanks to a charity’s supporters.

Lolly arrived at HorseWorld’s Bristol base as one of 19 abandoned Shires in 2018.

As she grew, one of her teeth came through crooked, causing pain and trapping food in the gap.

The tooth needed extracting, but for this to be done safely, she needed sedation and to undergo the procedure at a veterinary hospital.

This came with a price tag of around £3,000, which the charity’s supporters raised. One person put up the full amount, with the rest of the money going towards her aftercare as well as the ongoing care and rehabilitation of more than 100 rescued horses on site.

Lolly’s tooth (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Fundraising officer Amy Williams said the charity “cannot thank them enough”.

HorseWorld equine welfare manager Sarah Hollister added: “Lolly will need another visit from the vet soon to remove an implant that was fitted in the gap to stop food infecting the wound during the first stages of healing.

“The vet will then need to see her in six months to check it is all healing as it should be and that there isn’t any food or infection in the gap the missing tooth has left.

Article continues below…

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“Now that the tooth has come out, Lolly will need more frequent checks for the rest of her life as the opposite tooth has nothing to grind against so will need more frequent rasps.”

Ms Hollister added Lolly was “extremely well behaved throughout the process.”

“She loaded into the lorry without a fuss, was calm travelling and was very good for the vets and nurses. What a super-sized superstar she is!” she added.

H&H interview: Irish dressage rider Kate Dwyer H&H Plus

Polly Bryan — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 11:00:59 +0000

Ireland’s dressage star tells Polly Bryan about her love for the part-bred Shire who’s winning at CDI5* and excitement at Ireland “joining the Olympic party”

Kate Dwyer may be one of the few dressage riders in the world who can say that 2020 has yielded great things. At one of the last international shows to take place before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the Al Shaqab CHI5* in Doha, Qatar, Kate and her remarkable partner, the 14-year-old Snowdon Faberge, scored their first ever international win. They also made history for Ireland by becoming the first Irish combination ever to win a CDI5* grand prix special.

It wasn’t Kate’s first history-making moment, either. In 2019, she and “Fabio” were part of the Irish quartet dubbed “the girls in green”, who memorably secured their country’s first ever dressage team place at the Olympics. It’s not bad going, especially for a horse that Kate has recently learned is part-bred Shire.

“We always thought he was part-bred Welsh cob, but his breeder, Lorraine Hughes, got in touch with me after the Euros and it turns out one of his dam’s parents is a Shire horse. I’m not sure why we were surprised though – his head is as big as my torso and his feet are like dinner plates. I always used to joke that he could go off and plough a field after our test!”

Kate tells me, as we chat overlooking the magnificent Al Shaqab stadium back in early spring.

It’s the day before her win in the grand prix special and Kate recalls the excitement of the Irish team’s result at the Europeans, and her hopes of Olympic selection. Just over three weeks later, the Tokyo Games would be officially postponed to 2021, but Kate is not letting it deter her from her goal of competing at the Olympics with her beloved Fabio.

“We will target the Games next year in the exact same way as we would have done this year. I’m just so happy we decided to make the trip to Doha – I’m lucky I managed to get in such a high before the lockdown, and it’s helping me keep morale up,” she tells me a few weeks later, after the world has been turned upside down.

Kate’s positive attitude surrounding the effects of the pandemic doesn’t come as a surprise to me – I had already found that it only takes five minutes in her company to warm to her good humour and cheery personality. Perhaps it goes some way to explaining how she has been able to achieve such success with a horse that many might have disregarded at an early age.

“When we bought him aged four he cost less than the saddle he now wears. He belonged to a German girl who had to go back to Germany – she brought him for a lesson with my mum [grand prix rider Maureen Dwyer] and said we could keep him,” Kate says. “We just thought he might make a nice all-round amateur’s horse and planned to sell him on a few months later.

“Mum rode him at his first show, and in the warm-up everyone was thinking, ‘Yeah yeah, good luck Maureen,’ but then he went in and scored about 75%,” laughs Kate. “Fabio was a bit horizontal and babyish in the early days, but he is the most trainable horse I’ve ever known. He learned flying changes in about two days, and they’re now his party piece.

“Because he is big and heavy-set people think I have to kick him along, but he’s actually hypersensitive. Right from the start of his career, his work has always been rhythmical, harmonious and sweet, and he scores good marks because of the regularity and activity in the hocks, which isn’t easy to maintain in some of the more flamboyant movers. Judges actually used to laugh at him during trot-ups because his trot is so plain.

“We call Fabio the chameleon as he will be whatever we want him to be – I can make him super-hot and do great piaffe passage, but he would also join the riding school tomorrow and do exactly what was asked of him.”

‘I was a bit nervous’

Horses have always been in Kate’s blood, and she tells me there was no question of which equestrian discipline she would choose to pursue – “I was never into jumping as I was a bit nervous, and I just loved dressage,” she says. She and Maureen – her main trainer – run a training and livery facility together in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, although Kate spent several months based in Somerset last year, racking up good results on the British circuit as she set her sights on team selection.

In 2003, she was a member of the first Irish young rider team, competing at the Europeans that year in Saumur, France, and the following year in Aarhus, Denmark. Nine years later she made the step up to senior grand prix with her mother’s former ride, the Flemmingh stallion Reve D’Or, before teaming up with Fabio in 2016.

“I’m not so experienced at this level myself – I only had one other grand prix horse before Fabio, and the Europeans in 2019 were my first senior championship,” says Kate. “Fabio never wants to do anything wrong, but I have to tell myself not to back off in the arena, as otherwise he would become rather introverted. He’s a bit of male chauvinist at home and always wants me to do his bidding, but at a show where he’s not feeling so confident, he needs me.”

Kate’s intense love for her horse is what comes across most strongly during our interview, and her affectionate deprecation of him, in her softly lilting accent, makes me chuckle: “No one else’s grand prix horse could pull a lorry if it got stuck,” she jokes. “Fabio has lots of benefits.”

She admits she could talk about him for hours on end. “He’s a superstar; I love him so much that sometimes I can’t even contain myself,” she says. “The emoji with the heart eyes sums up how I feel whenever I look at him.”

Her trust in Fabio was put to the test in late 2017, as he was the first horse she sat on after breaking her back falling from another horse.

Kate recalls the accident: “I had just got on from the mounting block when his head suddenly plunged down and he did about six bucks with a 180-degree twist. I threw myself off, but the injury was actually a back compression from being thrown around in the saddle – I was coming down as his back was coming up. I called my mum then and there to say that my back had gone into spasm. I didn’t realise how bad it was until I found I couldn’t get up, and we called an ambulance.

“At the hospital, when I was told my back was broken I started crying about missing the national championships, which were in 10 days. The doctor thought I was mad. It was actually quite embarrassing!”

Kate admits that she was back on a horse sooner than her doctor would have liked: “He said to me, ‘You horse people are all the same.’”

However, she managed to reach a compromise with her doctor and physio that allowed her to sit on Fabio seven weeks after the accident.

“It took a long time to regain my fitness, and I wasn’t really strict enough at the time, so I still feel it, and need physio now,” she says. “But I know just how lucky I was.”

Bred for dressage

In addition to Fabio, Kate, 36, has two young horses she is excited about bringing up the ranks: an eight-year-old gelding called Vaalserberg, whom she describes as a “slow burner”, and six-year-old mare Harmony – her first “proper” dressage horse.

“She’s Blue Hors Hotline x Florestan – the first one I’ve had who was bred for dressage. I just can’t believe her trot, and the way she naturally comes up to me – with Fabio I have had to somewhat ‘manufacture’ his trot.”

Kate admits she always has a “wandering eye” when it comes to looking at horses, and that of today’s current top horses, Germany’s TSF Dalera BB, the individual bronze medal-winning ride of Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl, would be her first choice to take home, given the chance. But in reality, Kate is firmly focused on her dear “plough horse” Fabio and making their Olympic dream a reality, not just for herself but her country.

“I’m just so excited that Ireland has a team spot at the Olympics, even if it ends up not being me riding there. This has opened up so many opportunities and given the younger generation new aspirations. The membership of Dressage Ireland has grown hugely – qualifying for the Olympics has really helped promote our sport.

“Ireland is a country of horse people – we’re well known for it – but this has traditionally been focused around racing, eventing and showjumping. But now, finally, dressage is joining the party!”

Ref Horse & Hound; 25 June 2020

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Birth of royal Shire brings ‘sunshine’ to Hampton Court Palace

Becky Murray — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 06:03:35 +0000

A new rare breed royal arrival has brought “sunshine into everyone’s life” at Hampton Court Palace.

On 10 June the palace welcomed a grey Shire colt, the first Shire foal to be born in London in living memory.

Andrew Liefooghe, director of Operation Centaur, the company that owns the Shires, told H&H the colt has been named Hampton Court George, after King George V, who was the last of the royal family to breed Shires, at the Royal Stud at Sandringham.

“We don’t normally breed because we are too busy with working the horses but we found a really good stamp of mare with George’s mum Bess, and the decision was made to put her in foal,” he said.

“We selected the stallion Double Trouble of the Landcliffe Stuff in Yorkshire. He was twice national champion and a very smart stallion, we thought we would get a very good foal, and we have.”

Andreas said George is already “taking after his dad”.

“There’s only 1,500 Shires left in the world, and less than 200 grey Shires so he’s a quite a special boy. He promises to be at least 18hh and he certainly knows he’s special,” he said.

“Everybody here at the palace is delighted, we couldn’t be happier and Bess has really taken to being a mother.”

George will make his public debut on 15 November at the palace’s annual Shire Horse Sunday event.

“It’s a very big day at the palace where we parade all the horses,” he said. “People can meet the Shires and this year we are expecting a lot of people to want to see George.

“The day is a magnificent spectacle. In 1540 Henry VIII’s created a law saying people should stop breeding with small horses because he wanted to create the big war horse, and now seeing these 18hh horses parade around the gardens makes you think Henry would have been pretty pleased.”

Andreas said the palace now has 10 Shires, including George, and they carry out various roles.

“They do the carriage work, are used to cut the grass and look after the wild flower meadows, and work in the royal parks carrying out harrowing and bracken rolling,” he said.

“We also use the Shires in equine assisted psychotherapy programmes for people with addiction and we’ve done work with anti-bullying campaigns for schools – they turn their hoof to many different things. The therapy work is good for the older Shires as they don’t tend to like retirement having always had a purpose in their life. They want to do something and are looking for that connection with people.”

Andreas said George will remain at the palace and once he is older will start his education towards becoming a carriage horse.

Article continued below…

(Image credit: Equipassion UK)

Rarer than pandas and transforming London — meet the city’s last working herd of Shires

Find out more about London’s last herd of working Shires

(Image credit: Equipassion UK)

Shires in the city: how working horses protect London’s green spaces

Nobby and Heath worked to repair the ground that had been churned up by runners on Hampstead Heath

(Image credit: Equipassion UK)

“Everyone here is doting on him. After starting off shy now as soon as he sees people in the field he runs towards them and wants to make contact and play,” he said.

“After this period of lockdown he’s brought a bit of light and sunshine into everyone’s lives here and really cheered everybody up.”

For more information on Hampton Court Palace’s Shires visit www.operationcentaur.com.

The Shire breeding line that has produced a champion riding horse and Burghley eventer…

Alex Robinson — Thu, 28 May 2020 11:24:55 +0000

If you consider the breeding of a champion show horse there are certain dam/sire pairings which spring to mind; and they perhaps wouldn’t necessarily include a Shire horse line.

However, prolific riding horse Times Square III (Monkey, pictured) — who recently featured in H&H’s We Can’t Wait To See feature (23 April issue) — has an interesting heritage. The classy small height contender — who was champion at Royal Windsor last year — is out of a 1/4 bred Shire mare named What A Puzzle (Puzzle).

What A Puzzle jumping at Hexham BE Horse Trials. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Puzzle’s owner and Monkey’s breeder, June Dent, says she decided to unveil the history of the champion — who is now owned by the Mears family — while she was watching an episode of Countryfile.

“It was Sunday evening and Countryfile was running a feature on Shire horses,” says June. “They mentioned how endangered they are and I just thought about what a fantastic foundation the Shire had been for this particular line.”

Monkey’s Shire connection goes back four generations; his great granddam is a purebred Shire who stood breed champion at the Royal Welsh.

“This mare was owned and bred by Mrs Higgon of Newton Hall in Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire),” adds June. “She did well in the show ring and there was a lot of interest in her from America. But when it came to putting her in foal she wouldn’t hold to the Shire stallion and only took to a pure-bred Thoroughbred. The result was Puzzle’s dam, a mare who Mrs Higgon rode and won the riding club championships on.”

Puzzle — who evented and was also June’s ride while she was a hunt master — was one of six foals from the half-bred Shire mare. Other progeny included an eventer who jumped round Burghley.

“Puzzle was great on the hunt field,” says June. “She jumped anything, had manners to die for and would stand for England. When I broke my back, I decided to put her in foal to the pony stallion Willowcroft Regal Bronze. And together they produced Monkey.

“It’s really amazing that, in my lifetime, the line has gone from a cart horse right through to this beautiful show horse.”

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June sold Monkey as a four-year-old and he was placed at both Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International in his first season as a riding horse in 2019.

“These lines could be used more; instead showing breeders seem to choose the warmblood types and something like a Shire is never considered for the show ring. The Shire temperament has definitely stuck through the generations, too. They’re such placid and trainable horses.”

Rescued Shire mare’s essential surgery postponed owing to pandemic

Becky Murray — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 16:43:17 +0000

A rescued Shire mare’s essential dental surgery has been postponed owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lolly arrived at Bristol-based welfare charity HorseWorld in 2017 as a two-year-old as part of a multi-agency operation to rescue 19 abandoned Shires.

A spokesman for the charity said the 17.2hh mare requires surgery on a tooth that is coming through twisted, and an appeal had been launched to raise vital funds.

“Even in the short space of time this has been happening it has created a gap that becomes packed with food, which is causing infection,” said the spokesman.

“The vet has temporarily plugged the gap with putty but the tooth needs extracting.”

The spokesman said as Lolly is “so young and big” she will have to go to a veterinary clinic to have the procedure.

“Due to her enormous size (which could cause complications with the anaesthetic) and as the tooth is young, it will have a big root so it will likely be around £3,000 for her to have this operation in the safety of the hospital,” he said.

“The public response to the appeal has raised more than a third of the target so far.”

HorseWorld yard manager Sarah Hollister said the plans for Lolly have had to change owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Lolly had been making good progress learning how to load on to our lorry ready to go to the veterinary hospital. However, with the latest government guidelines this has all had to go on hold,” she said.

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(Image credit: HorseWorld)

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“The vet will be coming out this week to re-pack the gap the wonky tooth has caused so Lolly remains comfortable until she can have her surgery.”

Sarah said in the meantime the charity is still trying to raising funds to cover the cost of the essential surgery.

“Donations towards Lolly’s operation are very gratefully accepted. Any funds we raise that aren’t spent on her surgery will go towards the care of the other rescued horses here at HorseWorld,” added the spokesman.

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‘A hell of a horse’: Shire bought for £500 joins Household Cavalry

Sarah Radford — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 14:54:30 +0000

A Shire bought at auction for £500 has gone on to a high-profile role as a drum horse in the Household Cavalry.

Five-year-old Ed joined the regiment at the end of last year and is the second horse the Household Cavalry has bought from Dyfed Shire Horses in Pembrokeshire.

In 2008 the Welsh farm and tourist attraction sold a three-year-old called Dyfed Grey Celt (now known as Mercury) to the regiment and he has gone on to have a successful career, appearing in the Trooping of the Colour on eight occasions.

When they were looking for a new recruit last year, the army revisited the farm and found Ed fit the bill.

“I’ve been told Ed hasn’t put a hoof wrong yet and we have high hopes for him,” Dyfed Shire Horses’ owner Huw Murphy told H&H. “He’s already been down Oxford Street and out by the Serpentine, and we think he might make the grade sooner than expected.

“He’s a hell of a horse and we were sad to see him go but also very, very proud.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Although he breeds and produces only a handful of Shire horses each year – most of whom are retained to work on the farm — Mr Murphy has had huge success selling the horses into ceremonial work.

As well as Celt and Ed’s roles in the Household Cavalry, he sold two horses to join the Royal Cavalry in Oman in 2017. The farm also hosted the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on a visit in 2018, when the duchess took the reins of the then four-year-old Ed for a cart ride (pictured, above).

Huw either breeds the Shires who work on the farm himself, or buys them as youngsters and spotted Ed as a yearling at the Midlands Shire foal sale in September 2015.

“I never even touched him and just saw him from the side of the ring,” Huw said. “He’d been donated by his breeder to raise funds for the families of four men who died in the Bosley Mill Fire.

“I bought him for £500 and who would have thought he would turn out to be the Shire horse he is today.”

Huw’s family has run the 80-acre farm since 1849 and it was his grandfather who retained a passionate interest in the working horses despite the rapid onset of mechanisation after the Second World War.

“My grandfather was one of the die-hards and refused to give up the working horses; when everyone else went on to tractors he kept working the Shires,” he said. “Before I was born he was still working them on the green crops like swedes.”

After his grandfather died in 1991, Huw’s mother decided that the Shires could not stay as pets and needed to earn their keep.

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“We diversified into a tourist farm to enable us to maintain them and maintain my grandfather’s legacy,” Huw added.

The farm has eight Shires, four of whose work includes tasks such as turning the hay as well as greeting tourists and offering cart trips.

The farm is a source of local pride and Preseli MP Stephen Crabb joined Huw at Olympia in December to meet Celt as he performed with the regiment.

“To have two Pembrokeshire-bred horses with the Household Cavalry is a tremendous badge of honour for the whole team at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and for Pembrokeshire,” Mr Crabb said.

“I last saw Celt at Trooping of the Colour in 2011, where I was lucky enough to take a picture of him in full regalia. It was great to see Celt once again and to congratulate Huw on his success with both Celt and Ed.”

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Rarer than pandas and transforming London — meet the city’s last working herd of Shires

Ploy Radford — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:24:24 +0000

Every November at Hampton Court Palace, visitors can witness Her Majesty’s chaplain blessing London’s last herd of working Shires prior to evensong. It’s nice to imagine that ‘All things bright and beautiful’ is then sung, but while God is supposed to love all creatures great and small, these gentle giants more than deserve any divine favouritism.

The herd of seven is owned by Operation Centaur, which was set up by Dr Andreas Liefhooge 15 years ago.

“It was set up with the aim of making working horses relevant to contemporary society,” he explains, which is particularly important as Shires are rarer than pandas (and greys especially rare, with only 150 left). This multi-talented herd can turn their hooves to three strands of work.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The first is carriage rides. In the summer they pull a horse-drawn tram around Hampton Court Palace gardens, and in the winter give carriage rides around Richmond Park to raise money for the charity Royal Parks (and the winter season has just started for those of you looking for Christmas ideas).

The second task is conservation work. A growing number of London councils use these Shires to maintain their wildflower meadows. The Shires harrow, scarify and mow the likes of Clapham Common, Hyde Park, Richmond Park, Sutton Common and Morden Hall Park to suppress grass that would leave less room for wildflowers if unchecked.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We’re not about harking back to some distant past,” Liefhooge is keen to point out. “We’ve been able to show that if you use horses on wildflower meadows you get more flowers and a greater variety, because tractors compress the soil and wildflowers don’t like compressed soil.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Plus, as Dr Iain Boulton, a Lambeth Council Officer, states, there are “significant environmental benefits of using them over powered equipment like tractors”. The council worked out the carbon emissions from a tractor would be far greater than the horse van to get the Shires to and from their home at Home Park. Boulton is certain the Shires “are and will remain” a valuable tool for councils. Other conservation tasks you can see these Shires turning to are bracken rolling and logging.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Last but by no means least — these Shires are used for equine-assisted psychotherapy. They have worked with the homeless, troubled teenagers, soldiers with PTSD, and even gone into prison.

“It’s easier to do a psychotherapy intervention when a horse is present than to just sit these people down in a room and say ‘well tell me about yourself’,” Liefhooge says. By connecting with an animal that doesn’t speak, they learn to connect more with themselves and thus open up. Plus, “Shire horses are the biggest horses in the world — if someone has low self-esteem, and sees they can have an impact on these horses, the results are incredible”.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

They also have caused unexplained health ‘miracles’. One client suffered badly from the skin condition psoriasis and started to empathise deeply with one of the Shires, Murdoch, who suffers from sweet itch. After looking after Murdoch meticulously, his own skin condition vanished.

All of the herd can do all the tasks set them, although the older ones are better for therapy work. Operation Centaur acquires the Shires around three or four years of age from trusted breeders “in the north” with a preference for geldings as they are “more biddable” (there is one mare in the herd), and trains them from scratch, a process which can take around a season or longer.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Thanks to this busy work life the herd don’t look like show Shires: “if you look at show Shires, they often carry a bit more weight — all our Shires have ‘six packs’, they are total athletes,” says Liefhooge proudly.

Athletes, therapists, carriage drivers, and conservators. London is blessed to have them.

Article continues below…

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Meet the team

Massey — 18.3hh, six years old, bay

Head of the herd

Murdoch — 17.2hh, 12 years old, bay

Second in command. Once almost died of colic and had 29ft of small intestine removed

Heath — 18.3hh, three years old, grey

Hates being fussed, just wants to get on with the job, can be ridden

Tom – 19hh, 11 years old, bay

Thinks Massey is a god and is a born worrier, can be ridden

Joey – 17.2hh, 10 years old, bay

The smallest but bravest

Nobby — 18.3hh, nine years old, grey

Dislikes other horses and prefers to be around people. Particularly good at logging as he enjoys the one-to-one work with humans

Bess – (currently) 16.2hh, four years old, grey

The herd’s first Shire mare and causes quite a stir among the boys. Due to foal in July 2020

Aragon – passed away aged 25 on 21 November 2019

The senior horse of the herd who was a veteran who could turn his hoof to any task and did so for nearly two decades.

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‘Quirky’ Suffolk and ‘long-legged’ Shire help protect homes from flooding

Becky Murray — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 13:03:22 +0000

Two rare breed horses have lent their strength to a flood protection project at a country park.

Chelmsford-based Hawthorn Heavy Horses’ 16.2hh Suffolk, Roy, and 18.2hh Shire Joe provided their assistance last week at Essex County Council’s new natural flood management scheme at Thorndon Country Park, Essex.

Roy and Joe replaced machinery by pulling logs into the park, a protected woodland, where ‘leaky dams’ are being installed on two tributaries at Old Hall Pond. The dams are a form of natural flood management which helps allow the slow flow of water in times of heavy rainfall and reduce flood risk to residential properties downstream in West Horndon.

Matt Waller, who runs Hawthorn Heavy Horses with his wife Claudia, told H&H 10-year-old Roy and 16-year-old Joe know their jobs well.

“We’ve had Roy since he was two, he started his training and began working commercially at five. There’s not many Suffolks who work commercially, they tend to be more used for showing and riding, so it’s nice to be supporting the breed in this way,” he said.

“Roy is very steady and he’s quite quirky. He likes his food and will stop and take a nibble on something at any opportunity he can.”

Matt said Roy and Joe each have their own “little specialisms”.

“Joe has longer legs so he works faster over long distances whereas Roy is a bit slower so we use him for shorter work. Roy is also used for the steeper work; because he’s two hands shorter he’s got a better sense of gravity to get up and down and is more comfortable doing that than Joe.”

Matt Butcher, project lead and environment manager for the Environment Agency, told H&H heavy horses were a perfect fit for the work at the sensitive woodland site.

“Using dump trucks and excavators could have caused a lot of damage whereas using heavy horses meant we could get right into the tightest woodland that we needed to without leaving a trace,” he said.

“The horses are usually used for logging and pulling trees out of the woods but we asked them to pull the logs into the woods so we were using the skills they already had and applying them in a slightly different way.”

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(Image credit: Environment Agency)

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Matt said the horses had been an excellent addition to the project and the council plans to work with Hawthorn Heavy Horses on other projects in future.

“The park is a really popular open space and with it being half-term we’ve had lots of interest from people with their children interacting with the horses and learning about them,” he said.

“It’s been a real talking point and allows people to come into contact with horses doing something you don’t see every day.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Shire with a ‘heart of gold’ put down aged 22

Becky Murray — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 06:03:06 +0000

A “magnificent” retired working Shire who spent six years working on a farm has been put down aged 22.

The Horse Trust paid tribute to their “beloved big boy” Tryfan who retired to the charity in 2007.

The 17.2hh gelding, who was born at Bodafon Farm in Llandudno in Wales, spent his working life at the farm carrying out ground maintenance jobs.

“He would have also participated in country shows, weddings and parades, where the Shires demonstrated old farming techniques such as pulling agricultural machinery. It was an impressive job for an impressive horse like Tryfan,” a spokesman for the Horse Trust said.

“Tryfan was used to being in the public eye at Bodafon Farm where he loved showing off his skills. These included pulling various carts, one an ancient fire engine. We were told that Tryfan’s specialty had always been harrowing the fields which was his favourite activity.”

Tryfan was put down on 24 May owing to issues with arthritis.

“Tryfan had been under treatment for chronic arthritis which had unfortunately worsened, so we targeted the areas with specialist treatment that made him more comfortable short-term. Unfortunately, Tryfan started to deteriorate again. This then led us to the decision that it was kinder for him to say our last goodbyes,” said the spokesman.

The spokesman said it had been an “absolute pleasure” providing a retirement home for Tryfan, making it “even harder” to say goodbye.

“Tryfan retired here with fellow rural Shire buddies Jim, Rosie, Tom and Duchess who have now all passed on, but the one comfort we have is that they can all be together again at last,” the spokesman said.

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“All our lovely Shires spent many happy years here at the Horse Trust together and we will cherish the memories for ever.”

The spokesman added Tryfan will be remembered as a “real gentle giant” with a heart of gold.

“He was a sensitive soul, who didn’t always like being caught. Tryfan was a magnificent looking horse with a beautiful flowing mane and feathers, not to mention his gorgeous face with the kindest eyes.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Could you name this cute Shire foal?

Becky Murray — Sun, 12 May 2019 12:03:35 +0000

Staff at a country house and rare breed farm said they “haven’t stopped smiling” since the recent birth of their first Shire foal.

The colt was born at 4.42am on 5 May at Sledmere House in North Humberside, East Yorkshire. He has been named Sledmere Masterman after the 3rd Baronet of Sledmere House, Sir Mark Masterman Sykes.

Farm park manager Laura Clark told H&H the birth was very straightforward for nine-year-old Shire mare Julie.

“It was Julie’s second foal. I live in the village and was on call that evening popping up every hour. When I went to check on Julie at 3am I knew it wasn’t going to be long,” said Laura.

“We had to help the foal stand and drink on the first day. Even for a Shire he is very tall so we had to bear with him and give him a bit more time to find his feet – he was very wobbly.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We’ve not decided his stable name yet and have invited people to send us suggestions on Facebook. We will pick a name early next week.”

Laura said 18hh Julie, owned by Sir Tatton Sykes of Sledmere House, is “absolutely perfect” as a mum.

“She’s quite protective, but she isn’t silly,” said Laura. “She is really good with me and the team, Charlotte Walker and Ellie Harrison. Charlotte was there at the birth and Ellie held the fort the next day so we could get some rest.

“Julie and the foal are in the stable at night and we managed to get them outside for them to stretch their legs when the weather was nicer on Thursday (9 May).”

Julie was a new addition to Sledmere House at the end of February.

“We bought her in foal from Mark Richardson and she settled in really well – she’s brilliant with people and very friendly. We have a rare breed farm and had always wanted a foal but we drive our other mares, Amy and Poppy, and it didn’t make sense to bring them out of work to have a foal. Amy and Poppy are here for the public and we drive them around the grounds and take them showing,” said Laura.

“At the moment Julie and the colt are separate from Amy and Poppy as when Julie arrived we didn’t want to risk her getting kicked, but they will eventually all go out together. When the foal is weaned we plan to break Julie to drive and hopefully the foal will stay at Sledmere and join the driving team in the future as well.”

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Julie and her colt are proving popular with visitors.

“We can’t believe the reaction we’ve had when we put them on our social media. People can’t wait to meet him. The weather hasn’t been great, but we’ve still had people visiting which is really nice,” said Laura.

“The foal’s personality is starting to come out and he is very cheeky. Because we had to help him on the first day, he is very people orientated. I don’t think we’ve stopped smiling since he arrived – with Shires being so rare it’s an amazing opportunity for us to have him.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Police need your help to find new equine recruits

Becky Murray — Sun, 12 May 2019 06:03:37 +0000

Northumbria Police is seeking new equine “friends” to join its current crop of police horses.

The force’s mounted section is looking to recruit horses between 16.2hh and 17.3hh and of draught type – including Clydesdale horses, Shire horses, Irish draughts and part-breds.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said officers are asking the public for their help in the search.

“The section is one of the most popular departments in the force and the horses always get lots of attention when they are out on patrol,” said the spokesman.

“If they’re not policing a football match, you may be able to find them patrolling the local community to deter anti-social behaviour.”

When the police horses are not at work they will spend their time relaxing at the force’s stables in County Durham where they are “pampered” by a team of grooms.

PC Julia Wright said the force’s “fantastic” team takes very good care of the horses.

“When they’re out on patrol they get a lot of attention from the public who love to find out a bit about them and give them a stroke,” said PC Wright.

“But they also have a serious job to do and they are a fantastic asset to have in public order scenarios, whether that be a protest or a football match.

“We are always on the hunt for new horses to purchase and are asking horse owners to consider whether their animals would be suitable for a career in the police.”

Mares and geldings will be considered between the ages of five and 12. They must not have any medical issues and must be trainable with a good temperament, and no vices.

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It is also desirable for them to be good with farrier, to clip, load and in traffic.

Suitable horses will be taken on a four-week trial during which time a vetting will be carried out.

For more information owners should contact PC Wright on 07590 011 332 or julia.wright.8228@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Hello world! Gorgeous new foal gives rare breed a boost

Lucy Elder — Thu, 02 May 2019 16:31:17 +0000

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.”

Hillgate Henrietta-Anne relaxing in the field (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

Keep up to date with all the latest news and reports in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Meet the eight-year-old girl with a love of riding Shire horses

Hannah Lemieux — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 17:05:54 +0000

Pony-mad eight-year-old, Maia Fletcher, loves nothing more than helping her grandfather with his team of five Shires, including riding the giant horses.

The youngster was first put on a Shire by grandfather, John Fletcher, as a baby, before taking the reins as a three-year-old.

“She was on the Shires before she could walk,” said John. “Then aged three, I would take her out on them on the lead-rein — she loves it.”

When not at school, Maia — who lives a few miles from her grandfather’s North Pembrokeshire farm — revels in looking after the Shires, despite also having a pony of her own, and will often be found brushing and washing them — with the assistance of a stepladder of course.

John Fletcher/Gentle Giants Shire Horses (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“She actually prefers the Shires to her own pony. They are such gentle, quiet creatures and so good with her. Her favourite Shire is called Ned, who at 13 is the oldest in my yard – he is so gentle with her and often drops his head down to her level so she can brush him.”

Maia enjoys rides aboard the Shires on Poppit Sands beach, where her grandfather allows her to ride solo.

“I will have her on the lead-rein on the road, but as soon as she is on the beach she goes alone and takes them into the sea. She just loves being in the company of the Shires. I wouldn’t force any of my grandchildren into it, but I believe in giving them the opportunity when they are young, so if they want to continue in later years they can,” he added.

Maia accompanies her grandfather to ploughing matches and has also been in control of a chain harrow — pretty remarkable for an eight-year-old child.

“She has done some chain harrowing in the sand school with two Shires, which is obviously much more physical than riding them.”

John Fletcher/Gentle Giants Shire Horses (Image credit: creditUnknown)

John has had Shire horses for 25 years and via his family-run business, Gentle Giants, he supplies the heavy horses for weddings and funerals. He also uses them in demonstrations at various county shows.

“It certainly gives Maia something to talk about at school, and probably very different to what her classmates get up to after school. She would rather spend time with the Shires than sit watching a computer screen.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Record-breaking champion Shire mare makes history once again

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Grey Shire horse who served at The late Queen’s funeral retires aged 18

“Heath” worked as a carriage-driving horse, alongside Shire gelding Nobby. At The late Queen’s funeral the pair collected the thousands of floral tributes left by the public.

Heath and Nobby were also involved in a number of public occasions including the Platinum Jubilee, Shire Horse Sunday, and the blessing of the plough at Wellington Barracks. In addition Heath carried out conservation work in London’s green spaces, and provided carriage rides.

“During his time in the Royal Parks, Heath stole many hearts not only due to his eye-catching appearance but because of his brave and kind personality too,” said a Horse Trust spokesman.

“He was described by his former colleagues as a real gentleman who taught all the youngsters the ropes.”

The spokesman added that Heath had “many claims to fame” including featuring on the Channel Five television series Behind the Scenes at Hampton Court Palace, and two appearances on BBC’s Countryfile.

“Heath is no doubt our best horse and it will be a sad day to see him go,” said a Royal Parks spokesman. “We had hoped to have him for a further few years, but I’m sure he will be much loved at the Horse Trust.”

The Horse Trust team is “honoured to welcome Heath after many years of noble service”.

“He brought joy to the days and lives of many, worked hard towards a greener London for everyone, and bravely served our country at countless state occasions,” said the charity’s spokesman.

Horse Trust chief executive Jeantte Allen added that Heath is a “truly stunning horse who has undertaken such valuable work during his service”.

“It is a testament to the Royal Parks that they use heavy horses for traditional land maintenance work rather than always turning to machinery,” she said.

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‘Valued team members’: brewery ‘thrilled’ to welcome new working Shire horse

Hook Norton, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, is one of three British breweries that still have working Shires to deliver the beer.

“Cromwell is now ready to meet the public and will spend the next two years greeting visitors, competing at shows and visiting the brewery’s pubs,” a spokesman for the brewery said, adding that Cromwell’s training to drive will start when he is four.

“The Shire horses have more than 75 public engagements every year, from competitions to demonstrations, fetes, weddings and television work to name but a few.”

The brewery became a Shire Horse Society approved centre in 2021, and hosts training and events to promote the breed “ensuring their place in the modern world”.

Mr Carter added: “This is a bold statement from our team of directors that our Shire horses are valued team members and will continue to remain a prominent part of the brewery’s future for years to come.”

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The spokesman said Aurora’s issues worsened, and although she was closely monitored by the charity’s vet, she then sustained a ruptured ligament.

“Due to her other diagnoses and sheer size, this severely limited her prognosis and any treatment options available would have severely impacted her quality of life,” he said.

A TVP spokesman added: “Aurora had such a sweet nature, she was another big gentle giant of ours who generally looked after the newer riders but always did a good job of keeping us on our toes.

“We cannot thank The Horse Trust enough for the wonderful retirement she got to enjoy and how well she was treated. Gallop pain-free sweet girl and thank you for your service.”

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‘His inner showman came out’: reigning HOYS heavy horse champion spotted enjoying a day out hunting

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.

“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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The standards continue to rise each year as the competition, first introduced in 2016, gathers support and prestige, and both judges — Katie Duxbury (ride) and heavy horse specialist David Curtis — were impressed.

“You have to adapt your riding in ways that sometimes people don’t realise,” said Katie. “These horses need more room, for a start, and you have to plan the transitions ahead carefully to give them time to organise themselves.”

“Our winner was also a proper example of the breed,” added David. “There were a lot of real quality horses today, and most were very well presented.”

Breed enthusiast Gemma has lessons with Will, who qualified him at the National Shire Horse show, and Gemma was champion with Big Al herself at Equifest. He went to Will for production prior to coming here.

Although Will has had several stellar seasons, peaking with the overall horse supreme at Royal International Horse Show this July, amazingly this was the first class he had won here since emerging in the Search For A Star final exactly a decade ago.

“I’m lucky with him as he’s an incredibly light, balanced ride,” said Will. “You wouldn’t know you’re on a heavy at all! His prep is mainly focused on fitness and stamina work, and is the first one I’ve ridden.

“I’ve only ridden him once before in the ring — and that was back in the qualifier in March.”

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A Horse Trust spokesman said although Wiggins initially settled into training, it became clear he was a “nervous character”, especially in traffic, and it was deemed he was not suitable for the life of a drum horse.

“Once retired, Wiggins became a laidback chap who loved nothing more than a lie down and a munch on some hay – preferably at the same time. With his striking good looks, he was extremely popular and well known here, with everyone having a kind word or loving moment to share about him.”

The spokesman said it was recently noticed Wiggins, now aged 14, was “having some trouble” with his back legs when getting up, and would struggle to put weight on them, before “seemingly going back to normal”.