Breeders of the Purebred Cleveland Bay Horse* and

the Cleveland Bay Sp0rt Horse

*A critically endangered heritage breed of horse as determined by the

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

 

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Welcome to our Farm

Breeding for Conservation and Performance

 

Tally Ho!  February 5, 2012:  Earlier in the week I was invited to be a guest of my riding instructor, Davera, at her fox hunt on Saturday, Feb 4.   Davera is a member of the Bull Run Hunt Club.  My anticipation grew as Saturday drew near.  This would be my first time actually participating in a hunt which is something  I have always wanted to do.  An item on my "bucket list".   Over the past three years, I have been in the car topping group at the annual Cleveland Bay Hunting Days, thus I had some exposure to fox hunting. 

Having the appropriate clothing for the rider is imperative.  Davera loaned me what I did not already have which was the jacket, vest and stock tie.  She provided the mount, Marley, who is a "steady eddie" having taken many riders on their first hunt.  We loaded the horses and off to the hunt we went.  

The location of the hunt was gorgeous.  The weather was a bit nippy, damp and cloudy, although no precipitation.  Following the appropriate introductions to a wonderfully, friendly group of people, we mounted our horses and prepared to depart.  I rode with the third flight which was expertly lead by Betty Long who was quite accommodating to myself and another rider who was there on her first hunt, as well.   Our flight spotted the fox who was well ahead of the hounds, who were in full cry.  The first and second flights arrived moments after the hounds.  This was a lovely sight to see, horses, hounds and a fox.  I was told that I was quite fortunate to have seen a fox on my first hunt.  After being out two hours, we returned to the trailers.  Once having cared for our horses, we proceeded to the location of the breakfast.  Following a time of delicious food and good fellowship, we headed back home.  For me, this was a perfect first hunt.  Riding in a fox hunt can now be removed from my "bucket list" and become an activity in which I would like to participate more often.

View:   Farm History 2009,  ,Farm History 2010    Farm History 2011    Farm History 2012  

 

A Wakeup Call.    March 4, 2011:   You may already know that the Cleveland Bay Horse is a critically endangered breed of horse with less than 1000 purebreds in the world and estimated less than 200 breeding age purebred females in the world.   In the most recent Bay Window published by the Cleveland Bay Horse Society, which maintains the Stud Book for the Cleveland Bay Horse, the Stud Book Editors Report lists the number of purebreds born over the past five years.  The following information is from this report:

Year:                                                             2006          2007          2008           2009           2010

Total Foals born Overseas:                            15              13               10               13               0

Total Foals born in the Great Britain:            66              51               46               41              32

Yearly Total of Foals Born:                             81              64               56               54              32

Only 32 purebreds born in the entire world in 2010 and they were all born in the UK!   This represents is a 60 % decrease from the number of purebred Cleveland Bays born in 2006.  There is much discussion among Cleveland Bay breeders, owners and enthusiasts about preserving the breed and the ways in which this can be accomplished.  From a "Keep It Simple Sweetie" (KISS) perspective more purebreds need to be born.

Why Own a Cleveland Bay?

Two words, great temperament.  A Cleveland Bay is a smart horse with a traditionally quiet temperament.  Their history is one of having multiple uses for a single horse.  The farm family would use them to pull carriages and carts, ride to the hunt or to town and for agricultural uses. These uses developed a horse who is smart with good temperament and a sound body.  Recently, I read an article in the Virginia Horse Journal, which provided the results of a survey asking horse owners how they used their horses.  Of all the possible uses, the largest category by a landslide was pleasure use.  To me, this means most horses are owned, trained, and ridden by amateurs who want to simply enjoy being with their horse or horses.  Wouldn't it make sense to start with a horse that naturally possesses a quiet temperament?  Read More

 

Epiphany Bay Farm, Main Barn with Cleveland Bays and Thoroughbreds grazing.

 

Our History

First a bit of history.  Mike and I, Carlene, met in 2001.  Mike, now retired from an Assistant Fire Chief's position, was a career firefighter.  My career has been and still is in Veterinary Medicine as a Licensed Veterinary Technician.  When we met, Mike had only been around and ridden the horses in front of the G.C.Murphy store into which a nickel was placed before you rode.  I on the other hand, since my first memories have always been drawn to horses.  As a teenager, my parents told me if I wanted a horse it would be my responsibility as they would not...Read More

 

     Member of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society

                     Member of the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America                 

Member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

                        

 

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Hartwood, VA, USA     info@epiphanybayfarm.com     540-752-2915

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