Hook Norton Brewery, now one of only three breweries in the UK with working, delivering Shire Horses proved triumphant this weekend (7^th August) at the Derbyshire and District Shire Horse Association show.

The Breweries 3 year old gelding, Brigadier competed in the open gelding class, bringing home a triumphant 1^st place. Commander, our resident Clydesdale competed in the ’10 years and over, other breed’ class securing a successful second! A fantastic achievement for a 17 year old horse in a class of horses much younger.
Accompanying the boys on their travels was Head Coachman, Nicholas’ grey Shire mare who competed in the ridden class, taking a fantastic 1^st place at her first ever show.

The team had a fantastic day competing out of area, raising awareness of the work done here at the Brewery, as well as raising awareness of the increased risk to the number of grey shire horses in the UK.
The team received prize money for going, which has all been forwarded on to the Shire Horse Society to support their fund raising efforts.

Shire Horses remain at critical risk of extinction, with their numbers rapidly declining due to no longer having a use in agricultural work, despite this they do make fantastic riding horses and their popularity is slowly growing year by year. The Shire Horse Society aims to spread awareness and promote the breed, striving to ensure their survival for future years to come.
Hook Norton Brewery has recently achieved the accolade of ‘Shire Horse Society Approved Centre’ status, meeting a rigorous set criteria ensuring their stables confirm to the highest of standards and the knowledgeable team on site are working in unison with the society to support and raise awareness of these magnificent animals.

To keep up with the Breweries two resident Shire horses and Clydesdale, head to their Facebook ‘Hooky Brewery Heavy Horses.’