Harkaway Lionhawk is by the highly acclaimed, champion R.I.D. sire Snowford Bellman, and out of the champion Hornby Premium mare Roma Blue Hawk, making him the only R.I.D. stallion son from the Roma Blue Wind dynasty, one of the winningest mare families in Ireland and Great Britain. With the exception of a sprinkling of Pride of Shaunlara in the fifth generation, Hawk's pedigree is a total outcross, providing much needed diversity to a shrinking Irish Draught gene pool.
A smaller stallion of 15.3hh and standing over 9 inches of bone, Hawk has the strength of type to assist in bringing the increasingly tall and leggy RIDs being bred today back towards the breed standard, while providing bone, substance and quality to his offspring. His superb movement and temperament are hallmarks of both his sire and dam lines. If his first purebred filly, Rowan (seen in the photos below), is any indication, Hawk can and will provide a needed reservoir for type, character, and correct, active, movement to the Irish Draught herd in North America.
Hawk passed his R.I.D. stallion inspection in October 2004, receiving very high marks and just a single comment on his score sheet: "OUTSTANDING" The Irish inspectors called him "versatility itself" and compared him to the legendary Irish Draught sire Blue Peter, commenting that Hawk's smaller size and traditional stamp are exemplary of the top stallions of their youth. Earning a mark of 48 out of 50 points for his athleticism, we think Hawk puts an end to the statement that the older, more traditional type of Irish Draught horse can't move or jump!
Hawk is the 2004 IDHS(NA) NATIONAL CHAMPION YOUNG HORSE, the 2004 BEST NORTH AMERICAN BRED HORSE, and the 2004 NATIONAL RESERVE SUPREME PUREBRED CHAMPION.
- May 2005: Hawk sold to partners Tony Phillips and Tracy Dobbs of Blackberry Ridge Farm.
- Summer 2006 Update: Hawk has been riding out with chasers and generally enjoying an easy summer after a busy spring covering mares.
- Fall 2006 Update: Hawk is DRIVING! According to Tony and Sarah, he has really taken to it and they are very excited to see what the future brings...the first Combined Driving R.I.D. stallion?! Stay tuned!
Summer 2007 Update: Hawk's "raptor" paddock is finally finished - the fences are NINE feet tall! Sarah and Tony report that Hawk is enjoying a heavenly summer out next to his mares and foals - and staying IN his paddock!
REGISTERED IRISH DRAUGHT STALLION
