Individual Legion of Merit

A-39816 Silvandra's Lady Hawk (*Bengad Lynden x Smoke Tree Rhiwlett Lady by *Rowfant Peanut) We purchased her dam in a package deal that included a breeding to Dick & Helen Bandy of Bandy's Welsh young stallion *Bengad Lynden. Lady Hawk was the first born offspring of her sire and the first and only filly that Smoke Tree Rhiwlett Lady ever produced. Lady Hawk is also our firstborn welsh mountain pony for our farm as well as our first to complete a LOM. She had alot of firsts for being just a newborn here at our farm! Lady Hawk was absolutely tiny at birth and as we did not expect her to grow into the height range we desired so she was offered for sale. She didnt sell although many people considered her, but there was no takers. So we decided to go ahead and show her, so she joined our show string as a yearling. Lady Hawk showed a distinct distaste for halter right from the beginning, and it seemed that she thought this whole halter thing was a serious waste of her precious time! So getting those elusive halter points was a serious challenge, and we ended up turning her out for a few years to mature. Then one day as we watched her float across the pasture, and passing all the other larger ponies with ease we decided it was time she learned a job. She was so tiny, so finding her the right job was paramount. So we dusted her off and sent her to the local driving trainer, Tony Peterson who trained her to harness. She took to the training like she was born to drive and she made pulling the cart look effortless. At the age of nine, Lady Hawk and Danny Vollendroff made thier driving debute. Given that Danny was as green as she was made it a major challenge and a handicap against much more seasoned ponies/drivers. They did well considering that handicap, and Danny Vollendroff won the bulk of her needed performance points over the next 3 years. She was given a brief respite in 2010 to produce a foal, and then was brought back in so Danny could have "his" driving pony back. In 2012 they ended the season and she very clearly dominated the adult divisions in Carriage and Pleasure Driving (12.2 & Under). She wrapped up her final show season with National titles in Carriage and Pleasure Driving (12.2 & Under) as well as capturing those last few halter points. We are sincerely happy that no-one wanted our little Lady Hawk as she proved without a doubt she could "fly". We have plans to breed her for a few years, and then bring her back for her AOE.