May 14, 1991 - March 3, 2007
Born on the grounds of Castle Troy overlooking the River Shannon in Co. Limerick, Bonnie immigrated to the USA as a 2 year old following her RID inspection. Part of the McGinty importation, Bonnie was one of the first three Registered Irish Draught mares to be imported to these shores from Ireland, and she had the distinction of being the dam of the very first purebred Irish Draught foal born on the North American continent. We were very fortunate to be able to purchase this incredible mare from our dear friend Sue Holland in 2000.
Bonnie was unique in that although she had a bit of Milestone in the fourth generation emanating from the tiny Lisheen and Dove II families, her pedigree was otherwise a complete outcross, free from the King of Diamonds and Pride of Shaunlara bloodlines that have come to dominate the breed. Her sire, Lake View Pride, was a son of the Grade A Irish show jumper Western Pride out of a rare Dove II mare, uncommon bloodlines, particularly in North America.
Bonnie's female line originates in the West of Ireland with Mayo-bred mare Killawalla Fanny. Bonnie's maternal grand dam Oldrock Dolly was by the Laughton-line sire Ginger Dick. Ginger Dick has produced numerous Grade A and international showjumping progeny in Ireland and he is the sire or damsire of the following horses: Rodrigo Pessoa's international showjumping mount Flash la Silla, who went on to compete for Mexico at the Olympics; international showjumpers Out of Touch(IRL), Windgate Illusion(ITA), Capelo IV(GB), and Sea Wolf(NOR); grade A showjumpers Classic Vision and Sir Rivie; World Cup showjumpers Gelvin Clover(IRL) and Ginger Watt(IRL); and international eventers Hey Du(SUI) and Proud Ginger(GB). The female line of Patricia Nicholson's famous mare Stream Lion, who is dam to international eventers *Pirate Lion, *Regent Lion, *Eagle Lion, and stallion *Lion King, was a Laughton daughter. Errigal Flight, the sire of international showjumping phenom *Ado Annie, is also descended from Laughton through his dam Highlight.
Bonnie's dam, Dark Glen (seen at right with Bonnie's sister, Shenandoah Princess, dam of R.I.D. stallion Shenandoah Prince Holly), was a successful show mare by the well known broodmare sire Mountain View. An in-foal Dark Glen was purchased at the Tattersalls Sales at Fairyhouse, Co. Meath for what was at that time a record-breaking price for an Irish Draught broodmare. The foal she was carrying was our Bonnie!
Bonnie was a historically authentic, traditional Irish Draught mare with substance and quality to spare. At just over 15.3hh, she had a fantastic 9 1/2 inches of bone and incredible depth. Her movement was truly outstanding...light and elegant with the characteristic springy trot of the good Irish Draught.
These attributes and her generous nature made her a pleasure to ride. Bonnie was a consistent producer of absolutely top quality purebred Irish Draught foals. Without exception, they inherited her cadenced movement, flawless limbs and traditional type, substance, and kind, intelligent outlook.
Bonnie is the dam of three fully approved R.I.D. mares - Texas Diamond Belle (by *O'Leary's Irish Diamond), Lionwood Waterwitch (by *O'Leary's Irish Diamond), and Lionwood Seventh Heaven (by *Happy Ending). Her first RID granddaughter, Arwen the Evenstar (*Foxglen Himself ex Texas Diamond Belle), was approved in 2006, and her second RID granddaughter, Lionwood Glimmerglass (*Huntingfield Proud Tim ex Lionwood Waterwitch) was approved in 2007. In addition, Bonnie had four purebred sons: Easter Rebellion (RID gelding by Grey Macha), Druidhill Daemon Lover (ID gelding by *O'Leary's Irish Diamond), Lionwood Kinsale's Lad (RID stallion by *O'Leary's Irish Diamond), and last but by no means least, our 2006 colt Lionwood Ranger, by *Huntingfield Proud Tim.
We miss you Bonnie girl.
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