Sound horse sense of one of world’s best

Being dubbed one of the “best horsemen in the world” in an American magazine recently doesn’t phase Paul Bedford, he just laughs it off.
Paul Bedford and his son MatthewPaul Bedford and his son Matthew
Paul Bedford and his son Matthew

“You have to take the rough with the smooth in the horse job,” he says.

“Remain humble and learn to deal with the highs and the lows, if you can do that you’ll be OK.”

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Mr Bedford, from Whixley near York, is possibly the most prolific owner of heavy horses in England over the past two decades.

This weekend he will step up to the plate to judge the Shire class at the 65th Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham and select the Shire Horse of the Year 2013.

Over the decades, Mr Bedford has done it all, from showstopping wins to losing horses and being pipped at the post.

“Last year was hard for us, as we felt our horse should’ve won the title (Horse of the Year) but we were reserve champion and that was disappointing. You’re only ever as good as your last win.”

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Mr Bedford has been showing heavy horses since he was a boy. Growing up on a farm in West Yorkshire, there were always heavy horses around.

“My dad knew nothing else,” he said.

“We always had Shires and Clydesdales about on our farm and we started with registered Shires in 1966.”

Mr Bedford grew up with one sister and three brothers. All four sons went into showing heavy horses and still compete today.

In the 1980s, the family moved over to Escrick in York. Mr Bedford initially traded with eldest brother Walter as P&W Bedford.

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Together they put both Escrick and their prefix Deighton on the map, showing heavies in hand and in harness, in the UK and around the world, before going their separate ways five years ago.

His other brothers Bill and Richard also live in Yorkshire and breed and show their own heavy horses.

However, due to the strict showing rules Walt, Bill and Richard will all have to sit out the big competition this year, as they can’t show horses with another family member as judge.

Mr Bedford’s best horse, Hamlet, who was champion in 2011 and reserve last year will also have to miss out this year.

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“It is a shame for him, and his career, but it is such an honour to be asked to judge the competition. As the rules only allow anyone to judge the final once, it really is a special occasion.”

Tomorrow he will pick the Shire Horse of the Year from the 16 horses that have qualified from around the country.

“I don’t let the pressure get to me,” he said. “I judge each horse on how it comes into the ring and try to forget what I know about it. Sometimes horses can surprise you, perhaps one you thought would do well isn’t turned out that correctly or doesn’t look right on the day and one that you didn’t even consider might surprise you. At a big show like Horse of the Year Show all the horses are already top quality, as they have all qualified to get there. They are all winners and we’re looking for a champion of champions.”

It will not be a first time experience for him, having won the top prize a record 12 times, 11 times in partnership with Walt and once, in 2011 on his own.

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“The first time we won, with Landcliffe Laura was unbelievable. That feeling, when you win, is fantastic and never wears off; in fact, if anything, each time you win it feels even better.

“As they’re pulling them out in reverse order, and you’re holding a horse you think is very good, an animal you really believe in, that’s when your blood pressure starts going up and you start to get really excited.”

Mr Bedford keeps between 30 and 40 horses on his new farm at Whixley. Together with son Matthew, 26, breeding and selling heavy horses is their full-time business.

The family breed both Shires and Clydesdales, prepare them for showing in hand and break them for driving as singles, pairs and teams. They also export a large number of horses to Europe, America and Canada each year, with some going as far as Australia.

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So now that he’s won every trophy and, after Sunday, judged all the big shows, what ambitions does Paul Bedford have left to fulfil?

“I’ll just keep searching for the perfect horse, a search that never ends.

“Just when you think you have the perfect one, another one comes along.”