Boost for Cleveland Bays
A Cleveland Bay stud in Powys, Wales, is celebrating their home-bred Cleveland Bay stallion, Tregoyd Journeyman, being chosen as one of only 12 premium stallions for the breed in the world this year.
Tregoyd Journeyman, a four-year-old 16.2hh pure-bred stallion with 10in bone, was bred by Colin and Margaret Green at Tregoyd Stud at the foot of the Brecon Beacons. He’s out of the couple’s premium mare, Tregoyd Suzy, by top stallion Knaresborough Chancellor.
“We are delighted that Journeyman has received premium status, which makes him available to breeders with pure-bred Cleveland Bay mares for the first time this season. He already has two sons, Tregoyd Alias and Tregoyd Josh, and we are expected three more of his progeny this year,” explains Colin, who has been breeding Cleveland Bays for 26 years.
Journeyman is presently away from the stud being broken-in and Colin hopes that he will compete in the future as well as running with his mares at home.
Asone of this year’s 12 premium stallions, Journeyman will be taking part in the Cleveland Bay Society’s King George V Cup to find the champion stallion of 2003 at York Livestock Centre on 26 April.
“He will be the youngest stallion taking part in the King George V Cup this year, so it is unlikely that he will take the prestigious title on this occasion, but he certainly is one to watch for the future,” says Colin.
The emergence of this top quality young stallion is a real boost for the breed, which is listed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s critical list and has been suffering low registration numbers during recent years.
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“I believe the pure-bred Cleveland Bay horse is suffering from a long-term lack of promotion which the society is now trying to rectify,” explains Colin. “It’s not a fashionable horse like the warmblood or the Throughbred despite the breed’s excellent temperament, steady nature and weight carrying ability, which makes it ideal for leisure riders. Alternatively a Cleveland Bay/Throughbred can make a super sports horse.”
Although the breed may appear out of favour in the UK, it is enjoying considerable interest from across the Atlantic with some of the best youngstock being exported.
“The North American market is very strong at present, which is financially very good for breeders, but we must be careful that we don’t allow our best stock and bloodlines to disappear or the breed will suffer,” warns Colin.
To find out more about the Cleveland Bay breed visit: www.clevelandbay.com
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.