News & Events Featuring the Cleveland Bay

IdleHour Stud finished #3 on the USEF Leading Breeder's list for Eventing for 2007!

Two Cleveland Bays take year end honors with the CBHSNA 2007 USDF All-Breed Awards

Champion - Third Level Open - Carolina Knock Out
Written by Owner/Rider Ted White

Carolina Knock Out (“Carrie”) is a 13 yr. old CB sport horse mare imported from England in the spring of 2004. She was bred by Mary Hardham of Upper Knolls Farm, Stiperstones, Minsterley, Shropshire, England and is out of the pure bred CB mare Carolina Jet Stream (2043) and by the English thoroughbred Honour’s Degree. She is registered with the CBHS in England and with the CBHSNA and holds registration number PB 3173. Carrie is also registered with the USEF, USEA, USDF and the PHR, all in the U.S. 

Photo credit: Express Foto

I compete Carrie in eventing and dressage and the occasional jumper show.  During the course of the year we may compete at 5 or 6 recognized dressage shows and 3 or 4 recognized horse trials and then, if we’ve been lucky enough, the regional championships for both those disciplines. In her prior life in England, Carrie was a successful eventer competing up to intermediate and was the Horse & Hound Winter Dressage champion at 2d level in 2003. When I got Carrie in 2004  (I had never heard of the Cleveland Bay), I had been stuck at training level dressage for years but since then we’ve progressed up the ladder at an alarming pace to where “we” got “my” (should be “our”) USDF Bronze Medal this year (must have 2 scores of 60% or better at first, second and third levels). She also won the USDF All Breeds award at third level this year. In eventing, she’s a cross country machine who loves her job and makes the sport much more fun than terrifying. We managed to win our last three horse trials (training level) by an average margin of 7 points - a feat I cannot take any credit for. 

By year’s end, Carrie will have garnered top awards in dressage from the USDF (All Breeds CB 3d level, top three in Region 9 in AA 3d level and Vintage Cup 3d level), and dressage and eventing from the Performance Horse Registries Silver Stirrup Awards program (top three national and zone 3d level dressage and top three national and zone training level eventing). By all accounts, we’ve had a very successful competition season, but despite all that, she’d be my best girl if all we ever did was saddle up and go for a walk in the woods on a warm spring day.  For 2008, we hope to solidify ourselves at third level and start looking towards fourth level and, if everything goes well, move up to preliminary in our eventing. Those goals will be difficult to achieve considering I have a day job, but I love a challenge and I know she’s up for it! 

All that said, perhaps the most enduring thing about Carrie is her wonderful personality. She’s sweet, loving and very easy to be around. One of the things that always makes us laugh is how she always lies down and goes to sleep when at a show. She’ll be all braided and 45 minutes away from a class and we’ll have to wake her up and remind her that she needs to get her “game face” on. We always think about Seabiscuit, who had a similar proclivity. And those big ears—there’s no mistaking when she’s “locked on” the upcoming cross country jump! Another thing that impresses folks who have no experience with CBs is her work ethic. Clinicians often comment on how hard she works and how much she wants to please. What can I say, I’m a convert!

Champion - Dressage Sport Horse Breed- 2Yr old Colt/Gelding - Belladonna Leo

Belladonna Leo (153USA) is a two year old purebred Cleveland Bay colt by Ramblers Richard Lionheart (2341) out of Kingsleys Sea Coral (2179 deceased).

Photo credit: Mark Watson

I purchased Leo as a yearling after looking at purebred Cleveland Bays for over a year.  Even though I had never shown in-hand, I decided as a potential CB breeder, I should show case my Cleveland Bays as often as I could.  I started showing Leo in-hand at local open shows when he was a yearling and decided to show at the USDF level when he was two.  I truly believe that showing in-hand allows you to build an extremely strong bond with your horse, and even moreso when showing at young ages.  When showing, the horse truly learns to trust you and you become part of their herd.  This is the main reason that I started showing Leo and taking him to so many events both locally and out of town for overnight visits in 2007.  I also showed him because he¢s a wonderful horse that I want people to see, especially if I¢m going to offering him as a stallion for breeding.  I think he¢s a much better horse for it and it's truly evident in his relaxed demeanor both at and away from home. People are often amazed that he's a young colt.

Unfortunately for Leo, as a complete novice amateur handler, I probably was not able to show him in a way that truly showcased his natural ability; however, he made me proud every time we entered the ring and I got numerous helpful comments from judges on how I could work with him to improve his performance.  Leo is truly an ambassador for the breed and got many very encouraging remarks from judges, competitors, and spectators alike at each show.  I hope that Leo winning this award will encourage others to get out and show off their beautiful purebreds, even if they are novice or new to showing. 

In 2008, I will continue to show Leo in-hand and will begin ground driving him as well.  Leo will turn three in 2008, so I will also apply for his basic breeding license.  I anticipate that all will go well and he will be available for breeding in 2009.