It has been a busy, busy year not leaving us much time to update the website. Lots to report, starting with several new members of the Bonnie family. First we are happy to report the birth on June 9th of a lovely black colt out of Lionwood Seventh Heaven, by Harkaway Lionhawk. Of course at the time of this writing, he is already weaned (!), but I will get a selection of photos from the last 4 months up on the website soon (really, I will). My son named him "Ben" before he even arrived, and I have given him the registered name "Lionwood Revelry" in keeping with the "happiness" theme of his dam and maternal grandsire's names. Ben is a sweet, gregarious colt, with his dam's wonderful Irish ears, strong loin, bone, and great hindend, his sire's gorgeous front and adorable head, and both parent's lovely movement. He is going grey like his sire. Ben will be staying at Flying Harp Farm for the time being.

A second 2009 birth from our Bonnie family is Lionwood Glimmerglass' first foal, a lovely chestnut colt by Banks Fee Daniel. Ballymore's Irish Banks, aka Weeble, is Bonnie's first purebred great grandchild, and Hermione's first grandchild. Weeble is the spitting image of his dam Glimmer in color and markings, but with his sire's bone and noble Irish countenance. Congratulations to owner/breeder Martha Denver of Ballymore Stud in Michigan! We understand Martha is planning to run Weeble on as a stallion.

In extended family news, Easter's AWS-approved IDSH daughter (TB-Connemara dam) Easter Lily foaled a lovely black/going grey filly by Martha's new RID stallion Ballymore's Celtic Lad. An elegant little package with lovely movement, Martha has named her Ballymore's Celtic Storm. After weaning her daughter, Lily will be following in her dad's and aunts' footsteps by venturing into the hunt field - what fun!

2010 Bonnie Baby News: Hermione aka Lionwood Waterwitch is in foal to Harkaway Lionhawk (due at the end of April). Hermione's first daughter Lionwood Rowan de la Mer is in foal to the young RID stallion Dandelion Transatlantic for her own first foal for Bellwether Irish Draughts, who are leasing her. Lionwood Kinsale's Lad is expecting a purebred son or daughter from Ardvarnock Gem. This lovely traditional mare is also for sale.

In inspection news, we have two new RIDs in the family! Hermione's daughter Lionwood Granuaile (by Grange Augustus) passed her RID inspection in Bonner Springs, Kansas last weekend. This is Hermione's third RID daughter from as many foals. Grania received a well deserved "Excellent" on temperament, and "Good" scores for the other categories, which we were happy with since she is still a very immature 2 year old. Grania handled her first long trailer ride, her first night away from home, her first rug, her first time in a wash rack, and first set of braids with aplomb, and was very well behaved for her inspection. I was so proud of her. She left the inspection with her new owner Gayle Sheahen of Irish Ridge Farm in Missouri. Gayle reports that Grania is settling in well and that she is already shopping for potential husbands for her for next year. Also approved RID was Hermione's full sister Belle's son, by The Pride of Gloster, Ruarc Dublin Dan aka Danny. Danny was bred by Sue Holland of Hollymead Farm in NC and sold as a foal to Bunny Steele of Texas. We hear Bunny had to turn down an unsolicited buyer immediately following the inspection, so he must be as lovely as he looks in his photos. Danny also scored an "Excellent" for temperament (and in several other categories too!).

Show news: Our former stallion Harkaway Lionhawk repeated his 2004 performance at this year's IDHSNA Annual Show, being named Reserve Supreme Purebred Champion. Hawk won the RID stallion class and was also named Champion Purebred In-Hand, pulled to the head of a line that included several Supreme Champions (including the 2009 Supreme Champion). I had a great time at the show "crewing" for Blackberry Ridge Farm. Thanks to Tony, Sarah, Tracy, Debbie, Adrian, Stan, Stevie, Ray, Jesse and the rest of the gang for a great weekend and for letting Sue Holland and I crash in the RV!

In more show news, RID stallion Lionwood Kinsale's Lad repeated his 2007 performance as IDHSNA Annual Show Reserve Overall Dressage Champion for owner Ken Haley. Angus had a great year besides the IDHSNA show, earning his USDF 1st Level Performance Certificate and qualifying for the second year in a row for the BLM Championships and also earning qualifying scores for the FEI 5 Year Old Championships. He also began his jumping career, winning his first Combined Test. Angus is headed to Blackberry Ridge Farm in Tennessee to be trained by Sarah Bright Phillips for the winter.

Finally, news from home. Holly is hunting this year but with all of the inspections and travel the last few weeks we have only made it out once for cubbing. Like her siblings, she has taken to it like a duck to water and I am looking forward to going out several more times before the Arctic cold sets in. Hermione is eating bon bons and gestating her 2010 foal. She is already as big as two hippos - fingers crossed for another filly. Easter is babysitting his nephew Ben and will hopefully get to go hunting a few times before the season is over. Ben is learning how to do big boy things like ride in the trailer by himself and go on hikes around the neighborhood. Our new mare, Fairfield Beauty, arrives home at the end of next week. She is Easter's daughter (bred before we owned either of them) and half-sister to approved stallion Ballymore's Celtic Lad RID. I am anxious to get her home and try her out in the hunt field.

Whew, is that everything?! Stay tuned for baby, show, and inspection pics.