The Cleveland Bay is a breed of horse originating in Great Britain during the Middle Ages.  It is a well-muscled horse, always bay in colour.  Cleveland Bays are the oldest established horse breed in England, and the only non-heavy horse developed in Great Britain.  Members of the Royal Family have patronised the Cleveland Bay breed since the mid-18th century, and they are still used to pull carriages in royal processions today.

The breed has been used to develop and improve several warm blood and draft horse breeds. Today the Cleveland Bay is used for farm and driving, as well as riding. It is especially used for fox hunting, both pure blooded and when crossed with Thoroughbred.

The Cleveland Bay is a rare breed, and the population is considered to be at critical limits for extinction by both the United Kingdom based Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and the United States based American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

The University of Lincoln has been breeding Cleveland Bay horses since 2000, and the stud today boasts a Premium Cleveland Stallion, Lindon Principal (Prince), who was the first foal bred by the university. Read more about Prince here.