Our breeding began in 1999 with a visit to Wales; literally on the hills of Wales. The dragon is the symbol of Wales and the Welsh flag features a magnificent red dragon emblazoned on a green/white background. The medieval term “Here-Be Dragons” illustrates the early cartographer’s difficulty in defining the edges of landmasses and the extent of the unexplored seas, and therefore they often penned in the unknown area of the map, “Here-Be Dragons.” A warning to mariners perhaps, but the start of an exciting adventure for farm owners, Cynthia A. Lawrence, Oxford MI, and Martha L. Stover, Mattawan MI!

Longtime driving enthusiasts and pony devotees, Martha and Cynthia searched for ponies that have the substance and stamina to excel in Combined Driving Events and still be stylish enough for the Pleasure Driving Show ring. The ponies of Here-Be Dragons exhibit classic characteristics; the chiseled head, expressive eye, strong back and ground covering stride, all in a substantial package. Their compactness, size and style have quickly earned them points as a sports utility pony!

Shortly after their breeding program began, Here-Be Dragons learned of the ASPR. Here was a program that recognized ponies as true sport equines! An American registry with great understanding and appreciation of ponies! North America has long neglected the pony sport world except for hunter ponies for young riders. ASPR has taken on the challenge of molding a sportpony for the future by evaluating breeding stock and keeping records of bloodlines. We feel privileged to be witnessing a new pony era in the classic equine sports for adults as well as youth. Look at the pony news this summer--a world bronze medal for the USA pony driving team and the 14.1 pony that won the gold at XV Pan American Games. Achievements like this can only stimulate more interest in ponies and we breeders must be ready to provide more athletic ponies. The ASPR award programs in the various disciplines will provide breeders with performance records to help in the development of athletic ponies by selecting individuals that pass on their ability to their offspring.

Prior to the importation of Here-Be Dragons breeding stock in 1999, Martha and Cynthia were fortunate to find and own several Section Cs in the USA; one an earlier importation from Wales. Realizing from experience that Welsh Ponies of Cob Type were uncommon in the USA and continuing to experience driving successes with their ponies, Here-Be Dragons decided to develop a breeding program. The Here-Be Dragons foundation stock has grown from the first imported group of weanlings. An additional trip to Wales provided Here-Be Dragons the opportunity to import the 2 year old Section C stallion, Synod Ronan, already an accomplished In-Hand champion in the UK; allowing Here-Be Dragons to jump start its breeding program.

YES, a breeding program producing pure Welsh and crossbred Welsh can benefit from and contribute to ASPR. Here-Be Dragons attended their first ASPR inspection in 2003 with Synod Ronan (renamed HereBe Synod Ronan for the ASPR Studbook to comply with International Unified Sporthorse and Sportpony Recording Regulations) where he was awarded a Premier rating and the Pony Site Championship. The following year, HereBe Synod Ronan performed a driven dressage test and scored Premium Premier and Site Champion. The 10 foals required to complete HereBe Synod Ronan’s permanent ASPR stallion license have all received premium or premium premier status, and each year have been awarded Site Championships or Reserves. All of the foals by HereBe Synod Ronan, out of a variety of mares, Welsh, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Warmblood and Morgan, exhibit refinement and outstanding sport conformation. In 2006, the judges were impressed by HereBe Synod Ronan’s ability to stamp his get. They pointed out during the final review how they could look down the line and pick out the five HereBe Synod Ronan foals regardless of their dams’ breeding and conformation. HereBe Synod Ronan does have what a stallion should have - prepotency. The earliest of HereBe Synod Ronan’s offspring are now in training and show ability and willing temperament. We look forward to the start of their competitive career as they enter their fourth year in 2008. We are proud that HereBe Synod Ronan has made a significant contribution to the foundation of ASPR breeding stock.

We firmly believe ASPR inspections help us keep our focus on producing wonderful Sportponies. Here-Be Dragons have presented their mature mare breeding stock to ASPR for inspection and all have been approved as premiums. We want our mares to perform and produce. An example is 12 year old Wynshire’s Desire, a premium ASPR pony and producer of an ASPR premium filly by HereBe Synod Ronan. Here-Be Dragons returned this mare to ADS driving competition this year and she won a Championship (Villa Louis) and a Reserve (Metamora); both highly acclaimed Pleasure Driving Shows. In addition, for the first time she competed in Combined Driving Events (Metamora and Indiana) bypassing training level and going directly into the preliminary division and placing well. Her great dressage score of 44.94 (low is good in driven dressage) Preliminary Test 2 and her double clean in cones with the second fastest time in her division at Indiana were most gratifying.

An ASPR challenge was offered at the well known Metamora Combined Driving Event held at Windrush Farm in Metamora, Michigan. Prizes were awarded to the highest ranking pony registered with the ASPR in each division. Based on the interest this competition generated, Here-Be Dragons is working with ASPR to sponsor a Midwest Driving Challenge consisting of five top CDEs in 2008 for ASPR registered ponies. AWR awards will be added if number of entries warrant.

Here-Be Dragons will continue to promote their American Sportponies in a variety of disciplines and supports their customers in achieving their Sportpony goals following the standards set by the American Sportpony Registry. Try Driving a Dragon for yourself – you will not be disappointed!