This year, Glenn & I talked about it and decided that it would be Lynda's last year in the show ring... She turned 19 in April, and the past few years , she just didn't want to be shown very much. I'd been having so much fun competing with her at pleasure shows that I didn't notice until late last Fall that her heart just wasn't in it any more.  So we had our farrier pull her shoes, and she was turned out. Glenn wanted to have this year be Lynda's ''Farewell Tour".  We chose a local show in Linglestown, PA to be the first show for this. We chose a couple of simple driving classes for Lynn to compete in and asked permission for a retirement ceremony for her right afterward. 

It was tough , knowing that this was to be Lynda's last year for showing because I loved her so much and she'd fulfilled every single dream I ever had . She won so many ribbons at so many shows- both draft AND light horse pleasure shows.... Together, she and I became World Champions in 2006, and I feel I Owe HER so much.... some folks say " Oh that old horse- he doesn't owe me a penny". Well, with Lynn n' I - its much more. I owe her because anything I asked her to accomplish- she did ; With class and dignity.

MANY thanks to the good folks at theTwin Brooks Horse Show Association for allowing us to hold Lynn's ceremony there !

Here a few pictures with and more on another page created just for her retirement- and what my beloved husband wrote for the announcer to read while we were driving alone in the ring and then unharnessing her right there; subsequently leading her from the ring as a retired show mare.

" In the ring is Kris Bowman from WoodFinn Farm and her white Percheron mare, Shining Eye Lynda. Lynda will be retiring at the end of this show season and this marks the beginning of her 'farewell tour'. She will be retiring after 17 years of showing in draft horse shows and ADS pleasure driving shows. She has won many ribbons in her career, including 1997 and 1998 Grand Champion and reserve Grand Champion at My Ladys Manor and Brandywine Valley Driving shows in the Draft Division. In 2006, she was the Pleasure Driving Cart Class Champion at the Percheron World Congress Show. Since the class was not offered at the 2008 World Congress in Toronto, she is still World Champion.
   Kris got Lynda in 1992 for the purpose of training her to pull a carriage for Weddings, Christmas Rides, etc., but when Kris was training Lynda, she quickly realized Lynda's talents were far above just pulling a carriage and Kris and Lynda's long and successful show career started.
   She and Kris have taught many beginner whips to become better drivers and is Kris's 4 legged soul mate since they met in 1992 when Lynda was steel gray with silver mane and tail. At age 19, Lynda is still the Alpha Mare in a barn of 12 horses.
   Kris would like to thank this grand mare for her friendship and yes, love, thru the years. This mare has fullfilled every dream Kris has had. To some, she may look like a big old white draft horse, but to Kris she's the best friend a gal could ever have."