THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CLEVELAND BAY OWNERSHIP
Because of the rarity of the breed, we believe that every owner of a Cleveland Bay is charged with helping ensure the continued existence of this fantastic horse. Bella Vista has taken a pledge that all Cleveland babies will be registered with the CBHS to ensure that the studbook and census records are maintained with the most correct data possible. We strive to place Clevelands into homes where they are well-suited and where new owners can use the horse in a way that advances the breed. We prefer that pure fillies go into homes where they can be bred and contribute at least several foals to the breed. We are INCREDIBLY supportive of prospective homes where horses will be ridden, driven, shown, and out in the public. We are very active in the Cleveland Bay Mid-Atlantic Show Series which holds Cleveland Bay in-hand and ridden classes at three annual shows here on the East Coast as well as sponsors trail rides and Cleveland Bay foxhunts.
Bellavista Her Royal Highness with her 3 month old filly foal, Catoctin London Loveday, at the Warrenton Horse Show (8/23). HRH is the result of embryo transfer. London is the first horse on the farm to have both of Bella Vista’s standing stallions in her pedigree!
Pures versus SPORTHORSEs
A pure Cleveland Bay is one that was created by two pure 100% Cleveland Bay parents and should be listed in the CBHS rolls. All Bella Vista purebreds are registered or have registration pending upon sale. Purebred Cleveland Bays have a passport and transfer of ownership is tracked by the CBHS.
A Cleveland Bay sporthorse (or part-bred Cleveland Bay) is a horse that is part Cleveland, but one or both of its parents are not of 100% Cleveland Bay heritage. Bella Vista is a big advocate of combining Cleveland Bay blood with that of thoroughbreds and warmbloods to create incredible athletes that can be competitive at higher levels. On an annual basis, Bella Vista breeds some sporthorse foals as well as pure foals. Sporthorses can be as important an advocate for the breed as are the pures. Particularly if partbreds go on to compete or show in higher levels where the audiences are less likely to have seen Clevelands before, they can be ambassadors of the breed that can create inquiries previously out of reach.
Bellavista Elizabeth (Libby) at age 3. Libby is out of Bellavista Amazing and sired by the warmblood stallion, Manhattan. Libby is shown and foxhunted by her owner.