by Katherine O. Rizzo (first published in the February 2024 Equiery)

Purebred Cleveland Bay gelding, Bellthorn Krusader, earned the Cleveland Bay Society of North America Lifetime Achievement Award from his successes in 2023. Owned by Mike and Beth Earl and trained by Kina Davis, Bellthorn Krusader is one of only a handful of horses to earn this honor according to owner Beth Earl.

“The award acknowledges the Cleveland Bay horse and their owners who actively strive to educate the public, improve the horses, improve the public image, and highlight the versatility of this rare breed,” Earl stated. Bellthorn Krusader and the Earls are based out of Spring Gap Farm in Cumberland.