A PASSION for maintaining and improving the Clydesdale breed underpins the work of husband-and-wife team Gary and Aleks Gorman at Dapple Clydesdale Stud in High Stoop near Tow Law.

The stud saw great success with its progeny at last year’s shows, not least with two-year-old Dapple Duchess, a third-generation filly from its breeding programme, who swept the board at the shows, being top winning Clydesdale in England. She also won Pairs classes alongside James Wilson’s Reaston Hill Rolling Stone.

Gary and Aleks bought their first Clydesdale about 16 years ago, establishing the stud ten years ago for the breed, which is classed as “vulnerable” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

A fall in numbers has reduced the available gene pool and Gary believes it is vital that a well-managed breeding programme is adopted to increase this for the preservation of the breed.

Dapple has established two distinct bloodlines since its foundation. The stud currently stands two stallions, Arclid Hillside Avenger and Collessie Redcastle Hallmark, which serve visiting mares from across the country, as well as Dapple’s own. As well as producing excellent quality foals, the stallions offer good temperaments, with Hallmark, known at home as Deano, currently continuing his education as a ridden horse.

Dapple Duchess, daughter of Dapple Elizabeth Anne, is just one of many successful progeny, both pure Clydesdale and Clydesdale cross thoroughbreds.

The latter tend to be destined to be riding horses, particularly for eventing and hunting, but many purebreds are also ridden with great success.

The stud has supplied the well-known Cumbrian Heavy Horses equestrian centre and recently sent a gelding to Adventure Clydesdale on Dartmoor, which also offers riders the chance to experience heavy horses, and two of the winning ridden Clydesdales and Clydesdale crosses at the 2016 Area 12 show had Dapple bloodlines.

The Dapple Stud, which also offers breaking, schooling and show preparation services, is to once again host the Area 12, the UK’s leading Clydesdale Show, which this year takes place on Sunday, July 2.