SENIOR GELDINGS! National Shire Horse Show in ENGLAND! (Episode 1) Apollo The Shire

[@dcmc7383]

I grew up on a small family (poor) farm, and we had mules but no horses. I always loved horses and envied my friends who had them; I would ride the mules and cows and "pretend." Haha. However, there is something truly majestic about the cold-blooded (working) breeds--the Shires and the Gypsy Vanners and the Belgians, et al. They are very often the gentle, patient giants of the equine world, and I just love watching them all.

[@michellewells971]

Mules can be very regal too.

[@debbiejaynes2652]

I adore mules.

[@debradevonne3225]

The black + white Shires are so striking!! ♥♡

[@apollotheshire]

My favorite combo! Thanks for the watching and commenting! 🙂

[@gailjackson]

I’m surprised at how few there were! Also, the horses with natural tails looked soooo much better!

[@I.am.better.than.you.]

While i prefer the longer tail mot tail are trimmed for safety, they dont want the horses tails to get caught and torn. But i agree! And some are cut for style i find that reason a bit more unfortunate though.

[@MiceAndMinecraft]

That was only a single class, the whole show has hundreds from all over the world, as competitors bring their horses in from other countries to compete at the worlds largest and oldest shire horse show.

[@lizroberts1569]

The tails are dressed as they would have been traditionally, they’re still long but for showing they are presented traditionally all plaited up, so you can see their conformation better too.

[@Katseye102]

Always loved the bigger horses, the Shires, Gypsy Vanners, Clydesdales, Percherons, Friesians, all of the big breeds. Could never hope to own one, but so enjoy watching them! Apollo is just gorgeous! You have done very well gaining his trust and bringing out his best! Can’t wait to watch more videos of the both of you! Thank you for sharing your journey with him!!!

[@henrimatisse7481]

I agree and camels are great too!

[@cardinalfox0734]

are tinkers considered big...? I ride one and he's 14.2 hh. many of my friend also own some and they aren't taller than about 15 hh

[@tinasoul5772]

When Apollo runs in the meadow or when he rolls on the ground he is the most beautiful of all ❤️

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

I was on horse overload! Threatening sky, bright sunshine, and shires everywhere. Ty so much for this.

[@apollotheshire]

You are welcome, I really wanted to get the feel of the place. More videos to come. No politics, no drama… just beautiful horses in the country side in England. 🙂

[@catherinehubbard1167]

That was exactly my response. Well said!

[@DSWood358]

Watching them run free is so breathtaking, magnificent creatures. Love.

[@apollotheshire]

It’s really exhilarating to watch! Thanks for watching and commenting! 😊🐴

[@lexisaunders]

@@apollotheshirethey lovely horse ever

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Aren't they magnificent! Hope caring people keep this important breed alive and thriving!

[@heatherreckzin2183]

Thanks for taking us to the show. Apollo would have won hands down!

[@apollotheshire]

Ha, it would be so incredible to take him!! Like the funnest most indulgent waste of money ever. I’d be in heaven, it’s the only thing that would have made that trip better… is if Apollo had been there.

[@Clara-ph7my]

Shires are a grand specimen of English heritage. I am so happy that you made the journey here, to join others who continue to share their love and knowledge of the breed. I love watching your and Apollo's adventures together. The trust and working partnership you have with your horse comes through your videos by oozing love, joy and passion.

[@nancybraybrooks5509]

Beautiful animals. Would like to see them with long tails

[@lizsteeds6697]

They are bred as working horses ... tails are kept short either tied or cut below the dock not to get caught in the traces of carts ... ergo are shown with short tails

[@gailjackson]

What’s spoiling the natural beauty of these horses is how the presenters/owners believe their horse looks more impressive with the tail dock clipped. This has nothing to do with protecting the horses tail from injury while working. If that was the case, we would see it with every horse/pony out and about in harness. This is just for show! I love horses, but this presentation never happened when I was a kid in England, and there were a lot more working horses that were also shown. How often has anyone seen a horse’s tail caught in harness? The horse is quite capable of swishing his tail free of any straps.

[@jandrews6254]

@@lizsteeds6697 it’s the docked tails I don’t like. Shires are bad enough but Belgian draughts have almost no tail and I, personally, hate the look

[@apollotheshire]

These tails aren’t docked, they are shaved. They stopped docking tails in England about 60 years ago. I like long too, but the first time a horses tail gets ripped out leaving a bloody stump while your driving, and you’d make sure they are all shaved or docked after that. They are pretty, but the most worthless flyswatters anyway. I’ve been standing there at Apollos stall watching him swish his tail for hours and the flys done even shift spot, like he’s fanning the flys so they don’t get too hot.

[@tacratt6091]

😂, Apollo keeping the flys cool!! lol

[@iamjustjudy]

I LOVE these horses! So majestic and just gorgeous!

[@ninafodale]

Thanks for taking us on your trip. 👍😍

[@apollotheshire]

Thank for watching, I’ll be posting lots more from this show

[@marymac6977]

I love that you explain details in a way that can be appreciated by experts as well as those of us who just love and dream of horses but don’t have hands-on knowledge or experience. What a gift.

[@WhirlyPearly]

Such beautiful gentle demeanour. Kindness Oozes out of them. I remember being a Jr. Judge at a show so many years ago and one of these gentle giants tried to run the Sr. Judge over! Little 5’ Mary McDonald rammed her elbow into his chest and he stopped and new she meant business. So beautifully turned out. I’m in heaven:0). But I do prefer a mud knot rather than a dock tail.

[@lisabolo26]

I am speechless at how vital what you are doing is! These horses are the original engines of industry! They deserve the utmost respect!! Thank you!!!

[@reeritz1280]

TY for presenting this wonderful video of this Shire event. It's something most of us will never see in real life. I could not make up my mind on who to root for...they're all such lovely big boys🐴👍💕💞

[@nelly-1818]

I didn't even knew I liked horses so much until I saw the history of Apollo 🥰 I'm obsessed. Thank you for sharing such amazing experiences with us.

[@madisonpoiry3783]

Apollo was definitely the best boy there. Wonderfully done! After following your guys journey this is truly something special

[@apollotheshire]

Thanks for watching, please subscribe! 🐴

[@petegarnett7731]

I grew up around them during WW2 in the Yorkshire Dales. Amazingly powerful and reliable at all farming tasks, but amongst the most stylish of trotters. To see or ride them at full gallop reminds one why they were the traditional war horse of mounted knights.

[@apollotheshire]

They do have a very knightly canter! Thanks for your comment, please subscribe! 🙂

[@ninafodale]

As I watch this for the second time, the breed is so Regal and Majestic. 😍

[@karenbearden6198]

This breed is so easy to fall in love with.

[@PLS.54]

Honestly, the Shire is my favorite breed, I just love their majesty.

[@1959Berre]

Beautiful, amazing, astonishing, wonderful... So few words to describe those gentle giants.

[@daniadejonghe4980]

Glorious souls. Absolutely magnificent. Thank you for this.

[@alexniclauchlainn9247]

I got to meet the winner of the senior Gelding class not long after the show when he was doing his day job, pulling a brewers dray, after which he got a well deserved bucket of beer. Lovely, lovely horse, absolute credit to his grooms, couldn't believe he was 13! Such a chilled out lad too, bomb proof, didn't bat an eyelid when an ambulance went zooming by sirens going. Personally being (mostly) Scottish I have a soft spot for Clyesdales, but love Shires too. Love your channel, it's making me want to get back into horsey things.

[@apollotheshire]

Awesome!!! That sounds fun! Thanks for sharing

[@glennboyd7049]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. Could watch Shire and Clydesdale horses 24/7! Lol. I particularly admire the big, black horses - simply stunning. It was fun to see the young brown Shire prancing about, full of the joys. I much prefer the horses without any fancy decoration - a rope halter with loose tail and mane is best.

[@zaralunden3202]

I am SO happy to see these horses with their tails still. The old habit of docking the tails was so unbalancing for these horses. This is SO Great to see them WITH their tails. When they used to dock the tails, it was like cutting off the end of their spines. A big Thumbs up to this show!

[@christophedallaporta8836]

What are you on about? The vast majority of them have had their tails reduced!! What's wrong with you?

[@zaralunden3202]

@@christophedallaporta8836 No. They are shaved or tied up. When docked the bone of the tail is really short. You can hardly see it. The bone part of the tail isn't the total length of it. The long hair of these horses tails is what is cut. NOT the bone. If you look at videos of Andalusians in Spain, you will see how long the actual bone of the tail is. The young Andalusians are shaved all over to show their confirmation. Usually, in the past, the big drafts have their tails chopped off nearly to the top. It's too sad as this is very unbalancing for them. Look at the poor Budweiser horses.

[@christophedallaporta8836]

@@zaralunden3202 what's the point of shaving the tails? It looks ugly as hell and horses are deprived of their natural weapon against flies. And they call themselves horse lovers ... I call it stupidity.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Keeping in mind that this was a class for geldings - horses with their testicles cut off. So people go into a meltdown over a docked tail but don't bat an eye over amputated testicles.

[@christophedallaporta8836]

Y here's a purpose being everything we do. Docking tails, castration males etc ....respecting the horse's nature is not an issue. We just want them to be more practical for our own good and safety. That's what we humans are about : adapting the world to ourselves. I known it sucks but I didn't choose it to be that way.

[@Cheshyre.]

Love this, love this, love this. I would love to have a Shire trained by Barry Hook, that man is just amazing with those gentle giants! I am loving seeing those braided tails and died laughing when I got a gander at that shaved tail! 6:45 It's so good to see fewer and fewer cases of abuse with docked tails.

[@apollotheshire]

Never heard of Barry hook, I’ll have to look him up.

[@margaretmetcalfe9380]

@@apollotheshire He does have videos on youtube.

[@samgould9930]

Docked tails are not something I have ever seen in person in the UK. Chopping dog ears is illegal

[@margaretmetcalfe9380]

The horses tails used to be docked so as to keep it out of the farm equipment they were pulling, remember these were working horses. Now done purely for show reasons

[@payntpot7623]

@@samgould9930 These tails do not look to be docked (amputating the tail bone), they look to have the hair cut below the tip of the tail bone. Completely harmless, however, it prevents them brushing flies away from themselves when in the paddock.

[@sleepinglioness5754]

Wow....you were in the land of the Giants! The big, beautiful baby Giants! How beautiful they are and did so well for some 'first's'. Now, had Apollo been there...he'd be in a class of his own. Thanks so much. You and your family must have had a glorious time there. Thanks for bringing us along...for the ride.

[@apollotheshire]

We had a great time!! Thank you. And yes, I would have loved to have Apollo there. I would have entered him in every event I could manage. He’s amazing, it was fun to think about how he sized up.

[@OWK000]

Apollo is a beautiful shire! AND, he still has his tail!!! These poor things have been docked. It makes sense farmers using them for workhorses didn't have the time to wrap up a tail and make it safe from entanglement in tack, harness, and farm equipment, but it is kinda sad and maybe they should modernize and use some kind of modern wrap with lycra or neoprene or I don't know, something quick and safe to simulate safety under work harness.

[@giddygrub7176]

@@OWK000 they're not docked, it's illegal in the UK

[@rebelbelle62]

I love watching these beautiful, majestic animals strut their stuff! They are truly magnificent! It just brought me to tears how wonderful these horses are! I'm smitten. 🥰

[@rodandjudibowen5665]

What a treat! Thanks for including us! 🥰

[@Desanirain]

Thank you for sharing this! There are so many shows/events that should be shared with the world. The horses and everyone behind them deserve to be seen!!

[@MsTilda2]

Fukking love this, freaking love love love Shires❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@dreed5530]

It's amazing that these gentle giants allow humans even a modicum of control over them. Such incredible animals. Beauty, grace, and power all wrapped up in that package. Thanks for sharing.

[@apollotheshire]

It was especially challenging with the stallions! Thanks for watching! 🖤

[@Wibbedibbe]

These horses are so unbelievably wonderful! 🤩😍❤️

[@drfaizahash]

It's great to see Apollo again ;)

[@apollotheshire]

Thanks for following! 😊

[@minkademko2335]

I love the music in both episodes, hadn't heard it before. Thanks for showing the world these beautiful horses.♥️

[@juliehenry6421]

Note - the 1st place ribbon in Europe is red 2nd is blue - Loved it - miss playing with the big horses

[@apollotheshire]

Ya, it’s the same in Canada. Calgary stampede has AWESOME draft horse competitions.

[@Wooden-things]

Thank you for that presentation it was beautiful

[@apollotheshire]

You are welcome, lots more to come. Hours and hours of footage!! 🙂

[@singlewhitefemale1707]

Absolutely gorgeous horses!!! Always been drawn to the heavier breeds! Beautiful, raw power!!!

[@catherinehubbard1167]

Wonderful! I’m not a horsey person but I love their beauty, strength and character. These were magnificent. Interesting to see the variation within the breed and the different grooming choices, for example for the tail. (I preferred the ones left fuller or braided.) The massive muscles on these guys! Yet graceful and willing. The shiny black-coated ones were particularly spectacular. What a great way to see England, especially since the rain held off. I subbed so I can also watch the other competition categories as well as any explorations. Thank you for sharing this unforgettable experience.

[@lulualach7355]

Thankyou so much for your lovely videos of these beautiful gentle giants. I dont have a heavy horse but I do have one that came to me skinny and uncared for but very sweet. We are still coming right and hoping to compete next year. Your storytelling and voice are just perfect and heartwarming. Bless 💜

[@apollotheshire]

Awww thanks. It’s so fun to watch a horse grow in confidence as well and grow in strength and health. I wish you much success with your horse. Thank you for watching, please share. 🙂

[@michelewhite4262]

Absolutely beautiful thank you for the enjoyable share

[@ronj5714]

Loved, loved this. Thank you for sharing this with us. My personal favorite was #8th & #5th place. Those were beautiful horses- shocked #8 didn't win.

[@womanofsubstance8735]

What is not to love about these magnificent animals?! When I win the lottery . . . 😊

[@apollotheshire]

Oh if I had money… I’d have about 10 different Apollos right about now!! 😃😃

[@michaelfrost4584]

My goodness, what marvellous beautiful creatures 😍

[@ktgodwin100]

This is EXACTLY something I would do!!! I would KILL to be able to see Queen Elizabeth's stables and have told my husband I would fly from Colorado to England just to do this or take a horse tour of Ireland!!!!!

[@michellestone1261]

Apollo has already won 1st place.... With your love and care, look how happy he is. No ribbons could ever take the place of your care you've given him. Many cuddles☺️🌹

[@exosjlover]

Such beautiful creatures, draft horses are so breathtaking. Kinda off topic but horses fascinated me since a little kid. I haven't rode a horse in years, but I hope I will come back to horse riding in the future. Maybe one day I will own a horse. I love those animals, so majestic.

[@apollotheshire]

I totally agree! I hope you will feel inspired to ride again! Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@lanijohnson6267]

Thank you for all of your videos! They are all wonderful and amazing, even the ones from two years ago! God bless you for making them! I am in complete and utter awe of these beautiful, majestic, powerful, and noble creatures! As you said in one of your other videos, "I am speechless," and I'm in tears, as I behold such glory! How blessed you were to travel to England and to be in these animal's presence! I love and share your passion for these creatures, and I enjoy your dialogue with the videos! God bless.

[@sandycee89]

Super-sized gorgeous creatures. So much hard work put to so much caring detail: Gorgeous braids on their manes with playful ribbons on tails. The accompanying melodies just right. Terrific all this!!

[@apollotheshire]

Thank you so much! Please subscribe and share 🙂

[@noahman27]

Santiago, Apollo is looking so beautiful and majestic to behold. So glad you are sharing him with the rest of us. P.S. we need to see more of your artwork!! Pleeeeeease.

[@sherreeroper7656]

I'm so glad I stumbled onto your videos. I'm hooked !

[@PrincessGold1]

England is so beautiful! Apollo is just a gorgeous horse, and you’ve done a magnificent job of rehabilitating him. How wonderful for you to be able to live your childhood dream. Shire horses are extraordinary animals. How wonderful to see so manybof them together.

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

So pleased to find your video. I was at the Show two days ago 2023. It was a fantastic day out. Loved seeing all the horses. The people were very friendly. ilona

[@apollotheshire]

That’s awesome! I’m only a little jealous. I wish I could have been there this year! Thanks for watching! I hope you’ll subscribe! 😊

[@deborahsimmons2414]

46, 48, and 10…my favorites!! So amazingly beautiful these horses are. Thank you.

[@Lisette777]

Such beautiful destriers! I love Shires...

[@earlinejackson8151]

That dappled chestnut was beautiful. Don’t see many.

[@hawkblood_art]

Because they usually aren't allowed for breeding

[@janet5820]

Thank you so much for sharing this amazing Shire show 👏👏👏 i live in England and I’m going to visit the next one. I love Shires and any horses really. You captured the show beautifully and narrated it naturally, an absolute pleasure to watch, thank you ❤

[@mandilynn24]

The most gorgeous horse!!!! You saved him!!! Look at him shine!!!

[@agnescarr9226]

Beautiful Giants! Is amazing to watch these beautiful horses. Thank you for sharing!

[@susannecurtis9724]

Beautiful horses!!

[@gaylethompson4003]

Cannot thank you enough. Truly awesome...

[@131dyana]

Thank you for taking us with you.

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

He is beautiful! God bless you for taking such good care of this horse!

[@luananavarro4]

Majestic and stunningly gorgeous ❤️

[@janeworrall3694]

Great footage. Loved the close ups as they were paraded round the field.. My daughter had a heavy horse a few years ago. I sat astride him once - nearly did the splits!!!

[@tawannayelton1840]

Such sweet and intelligent faces on these wonderful creatures!

[@elizabethkane6665]

Such magnificent creatures … thank you for sharing this video

[@lmundiclan]

They are such gorgeous animals! I love the color of the second one.

[@lindamateri9906]

Look at them, so majestic Big and Beautiful,, thank you for sharing this

[@bobbiemooser7417]

I knew nothing about the Shire and I Thankyou for presenting this great video. What an incredibly beautiful and majestic horse.

[@Phlowermom]

This was wonderful!! Thank you!!

[@apollotheshire]

You are very welcome, many more to come!!

[@virtualselfie6899]

@@apollotheshire Were these Shires all geldings? The 4-year-old gelding was awesome and so young being showcased, love it.

[@rottytamer6228]

That Black & White with the perfectly matched white stockings on all 4 feet @ 7:50 set my heart aflutter - talk about symmetry - GORGEOUS !!! My eye was drawn to him the moment he came in. These Shires look a bit larger / bulkier than Apollo - but black is slimming - lol. Apollo must be a Shire " Sport Horse " like the difference between a Baroque Friesian & the Sport Horse Friesian.

[@alexsummerRain]

Apollo is MAGNIFICENT. I luv him from here is SoCal. He is stunning 😍 ✨ 💖

[@janebrommet7942]

What a treat

[@apollotheshire]

It was such an amazing experience.

[@tessjones5987]

Time well spent. Such magnificent Shires.

[@ginelleday5412]

All horses are beautiful but these are majestic and huge. Love them. We have the Clydesdales here pulling the beer wagons and always in the super bowl 🏈 commercials. They are all so beautiful and regal.

[@phughesphoto]

Santiago! You make me want to own a Shire! ❤️

[@purarazapasofinopuraraza-com]

You have beautiful Horses ❤️

[@samporter2146]

Thanks so much for this very moving vid! I just watched all of the ads just to be appreciative.

[@darkroseofshadow]

Don't know if you'll see this but when I was younger I had a horse, and when we had a farrier come to care for his hooves, a lady that came once didn't listen to us when we warned her that wearing her hair up in a ponytail(whether it was a high one or at the base of the neck) or a high bun around our horse is not a good idea because he would grab and yank it. What's the take away on when she didn't listen and got her hair yanked on, bad farrier to not listen to the horse owners or just didn't think we were serious that he'd do that?

[@apollotheshire]

Hahah,.. that would have been hilarious to see. My horse Apollo would have given her kisses… not yanked on her hair. He’s a born romantic. 😂

[@darkroseofshadow]

@@apollotheshire yeah his name was Buster, and he was an Appaloosa/Tennessee Walker mix. He also would bite if someone wore red or yellow. He played hide and seek and tag with us though so not all bad, he was just not really well disciplined by my dad for bad behavior from what I remember. He would charge people and stop a few feet away to see if they'd stand their ground or not, and whinny as if to laugh if they ran, or would decide sometimes straight up not to stop and you'd have to side step out of the way. And he'd whinny like he was laughing about that too 😅 he seemed to like to pick on people. But he was otherwise a very sweet horse. He could count by scratching at the ground with his hoof depending on the number he was given, I think he could do it up to 12. He was smart and full of personality. Just a bully for fun 😬

[@PamelaAmberson]

They are beautiful. Here in KCMO we have a HS called the American Royal every fall. It has a Draft HS as well with wagon classes; riding classes etc. I love it and used to always attend. I leaned toward the Percheron but loved them all. You might remember I had Arabians but 3 of my close friends raised Arabs and Friesians. I have some nice photos of them. I think you would really love their horses. Thank you for sharing.

[@lilys3036]

So many gentle giants!! My favorites are black shires, they're so beautiful!

[@huhni4968]

Thanks for the Goosebumps😃 so preety nice to see😍 Thank you for watching this

[@stevischermi6409]

Ah... there's a tail...short but there... hmmm 🤔 These guys are spectacular!!

[@electricnut8489]

More great video of Apollo! He only gets better!

[@commonsense246]

Beautiful!

[@lizroberts1569]

I like the Clydesdales & Shires, not so keen on the gypsy vanners. My uncle worked with them and as farmers we always had working horses. Beautiful animals. The Suffolk Punches have been brought back from near extinction, they’re very pretty and are starting to do really well, not quite as big as the Shires & Clydesdales

[@judytaylor1076]

Being born in England, but now living in Australia, it was wonderful to see the show. I must say I did pick the winner🤗. It was easy to detect your preference for the black because it reminded you of Apollo I imagine.🤭. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@agnes15101968]

I know next to nothing about horses, have never done horseriding, but I know one thing for sure: I have never seen a horse which I found more beautiful than Apollo. Maybe it is just my unpracticed eyes, when it comes to horses, but still, for me he is Mr. Universe!

[@lavonmcneal3005]

Hey all the horses are really beautiful great 😃 show.... Thanks

[@ediemeagher7401]

Beautiful horses! Although I am not loving how the tails are presented. I think the horse is much prettier with a long flowing tail.

[@marilynross5965]

love these beautiful shire horses magnificent

[@salinwa7105]

Gorgeousness overload!!

[@maryainsworth5022]

Magnificent awesome horses! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@samgould9930]

So I Googled it, tail docking has been banned in the UK since 1949!

[@apollotheshire]

Huh… interesting.

[@debbiehollis5711]

Tail docking was used to avoid their tails getting mangled up when pulling the plough .These animals were bred as working horses .Their strength tenacity and stamina is amazing. Then mecha ical tractors replaced them . Think given the choice they would rather be working rather than being googled at for their magnificent appearance I believe it's mistakenly called progress.

[@alfie8953]

@@debbiehollis5711 The life of a working horse could be very hard and they often did not last long unfortunately. But then the life of the men was also hard. I have worked an Ardennes pulling timber and I am glad machines are doing the bulk of the work now. The horses are only used in conservation projects in the UK nowadays.

[@debbiehollis5711]

@@alfie8953 my Grandfather had working Shires in Canada where he farmed .No mechanical in those days .Some time around 1910 I guess .They used the horses to plough .And a carriage horse to take them to market .I guess a large heavy horse has less life expectancy than say a Shetland pony .But even if they die younger through working hard I think they would prefer a working existence than ponsing about in a show arena. Gentle giants who are wonderful .

[@Brian-uy2tj]

They're all beautiful or hansom (whatever the right term is for a horse) and so well mannered.

[@carolcrompton6138]

I could never look at any Shire and say they were ugly!…..I would love them the same as a champion!!🍎🍎🍎❤️❤️❤️❤️🏆🏆🪣🪣🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉