Hook Norton Brewery, now only one of three breweries to still deliver using traditional shire horse and dray welcomes their latest young horse to the team. 2 and a half year old Shire Horse, Brigadier joins the ranks amongst two other working horses at the Brewery. Purchased from Cornwall, Brigadier (formerly Bill) will spend time meeting and greeting the public before later being trained to pull the brewery drays alongside his older counterparts.

Head Coachman, Nicholas Carter says, ‘We’re incredible excited to welcome Brigadier to our team of working heavy horses. His exceptional quiet nature and size makes him an ideal horse to continue keeping traditions alive and ensuring our working horses legacy. Having been given permission from the board of directors to purchase three more Shires, it’s by far the biggest commitment to the horses since their return to the Brewery in the 1985. It’s an exciting time for us all and we look forward to watching him grow and take over the working commitments in due course’

Hook Norton Brewery has recently been granted status as an approved Shire Horse Society centre, marking their commitment to the survival of the breed. With over 20,000 visitors through its doors each year, the onsite team are passionate about raising the awareness to the risk of our native heavy horse breed, as well as the skills and knowledge that carries with them. Plans are afoot to host a working heavy horse weekend with visiting heavy horses at the Brewery on top of the usual public appearances the brewery shires make annually.

2022 also marks the first ever year that Hook Norton Brewery will be submitting a horse forward for judging at the National Shire Horse Show, the largest gathering of Shire Horses in the UK. This years show is due to be held at Newark showground on March 12^th & 13^th, with more details to be found at www.shire-horse.org.uk