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So that everyone has a better idea of how the breeding program began, we must
rewind a few years to 1965. In the fall of that year, Bill helped Al Steiert
import the Hanoverian weanling colt Abundance from
Germany. His sire Absatz occupied the largest box stall at the Celle State
Stud in Hannover, and Al luckily found a promising son in Abundance at Johann
Dittmer’s small stud farm.
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In the 1981 the triple licensed Westphalian stallion
*Dekor joined the cast of stallions here at Watermark Farm.
Dekor
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Ellie |
| Emily |
 He
produced several high quality offspring during his tenure here
at Watermark Farm with Dynamite (left), Double Bounce (right),
Détente, Diamond Ben, Dekorum, Dark Crystal and Dynasty to name
just a few.
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| The Abundance sons and daughters required the infusion
of Thoroughbred blood in order to produce competitive sporthorses
with a higher aptitude for piaffe and passage in the modern competition
arenas. Again and Again proved over time to produce outstanding athletes
with a variety of mares. Several of his sons had excellent sports
careers with Alacazam being a highlight with an international medal
winning test at the 1994 NAYRC. Artesian WF is currently competing
in FEI arena and should emerge onto the Grand Prix circuit in 2010.
While those achievements are outstanding for a US bred stallion,
Again and Again has truly left his mark with his daughters ability
to produce outstanding offspring. A daughter was bred to VIP in the
mid-80s and that foal went on to win the International Jumping Futurity.
Abracadabra WF (Alacazam’s full sister) had good success in
the dressage arena and has gone on to be an outstanding producer
with son Wizard WF being named Top Foal in North America in 2006
and then being licensed for breeding in 2008. |
Alacazam |
Wizard WF & Abracadabra WF |
From the outset of his breeding career in 1979, Adamant
produced excellent adult amateur mounts. Many of his sons and daughters
have excelled in the eventing world. Daughter Ariadne won the North
Georgia Three Day with a 13 year old in the irons in the 80’s.
Several other daughters had successful careers over fences in both
the hunter and jumper arenas. Currently Adelaide WF is cleaning up
and earning high praise where ever her hooves travel. Beltane is
one of the rising stars in Sally Cousins’ stable. And our own As You
Wish WF is enjoying a very successful first season with Sally with
multiple wins to her credit already. |
Artesian WF |
Beltane |
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Atreo WF |
Adelaide WF |
His
son Avebury WF was licensed in 2004
and is the full brother to FEI competitor Atreo WF, who has had
a very successful undersaddle career from the beginning. Avebury WF was featured on the May/June 2010 issue of Warmbloods Today Magazine! |
| As You Wish WF |
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 South
American Way, a Thoroughbred stallion, was brought to the
farm in 1988 to improve our Abundance daughters. With
his lovely canter and excellent bascule he produced excellent
daughters who in turn have proven to be outstanding producers
and sons that are excellent sports horses. His innate gift for
piaffe and passage has also been transmitted down through his
daughters – Southern Leigh WF, Sabrina WF and Savannah WF. His
son Showtime WF was licensed for breeding in 2004 before going
on to a very successful show career in the A Hunters.
Left and Right, South American Way xx |
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| Sabrina WF |
Savannah WF |
Showtime WF |
|
 Waldaire
2004
 Dressage
Royal
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Waldaire began
producing foals here at Watermark Farm after having compiled one
of the most successful show records of any US bred stallion. To
date he has won 44 USDF HOY Awards and that number continues to
grow as his offspring are enjoying similar successes. His son Wizard
WF was licensed for breeding in 2008. Waldaire’s concentrated
damline allows immediate access to the proven Hanoverian D line
with the modernizing influence of Absatz and Marcio. With the addition
of Gotthard, Lugano II and Waidmannsdank – his foals out
of our breeding program are very much multi-talented and suitable
for both amateur and professional alike. His offspring are remarkably consistent with good jump in the canter, very good walks, good jumping technique and an exceptional affinity for flying changes.
Advances in modern technology
have allowed US Breeders access to some of the finest bloodlines
of stallions worldwide. Our stallions Adamant, Again and Again,
Avebury WF, Showtime WF and Waldaire have all had semen frozen
for domestic use. Avebury WF and Waldaire are available for export
to the EU via the Select Breeders Network. Select European sires
and their descendants such as Donnerhall, Weltmeyer, Absatz, and
Rubinstein have been incorporated into the breeding program with
outstanding results. The offspring have been evaluated and judged
according to their quality by international experts and found to
be of the highest quality. These young horses have bright futures
standing before them both in the competition arena and breeding
shed. The future generations combining the good nature and high
rideability of Waldaire, Dressage Royal, Avebury WF and Wizard
WF hold promise for competitors at every level of sport. From time
to time, additional infusions of outside blood will be added into
the breeding program with the same consideration as has proven
to be so successful in the past.
The fabulous stallion Dressage
Royal joined
our roster of World Class stallions in 2007, providing
top class foals. In 2008, Dressage Royal’s son Desperado
was crowned World Champion Five Year Old. Watermark Farm is now
acting as the sole North American representative for Dorit
and Hermann Kothe’s Dressage Royal. His domestic offspring have been outstanding to date with high foal inspecton scores. The rideability is unsurpassed and we are gleeful with anticipation for the 2011 show season with Daylily WF, Don William WF and our 2 'dreamers' - Dream Girl WF & Dreamcatcher WF to compete undersaddle! Dolce Elise WF has been retained for breeding and competition - she is outstanding - a 9.0 at her foal inspection...so the future is very bright for this generation of D line blood!
As proud members and supporters of the American Warmblood Registry
the Rawle Family strives to produce exceptional equine partners
here in the United States. By aligning with a US based registry,
we are making a bold statement much like our colonial ancestors
did in shrugging free of European dominance. As horses that are
born in Oxford, PA are not in the Hanoverian or Oldenburg Breeding
Districts, it would be both a disservice and dishonest decision to call them anything but American Warmbloods.
Our horses are suitable for both the international competitor
and adult amateur rider as the breeding program emphasizes long
term soundness, excellent movement, high rideability coupled with
an exemplary good nature. Watermark Farm’s foals have been
receiving the coveted Premier Award with increasing frequency – a
sign that the quality of our stock is improving with each generation – the
future is limitless for these youngsters. A Premier Award is given
to the top 2% of equines, so these young horses have been bred
specifically to a higher standard of excellence and for performance.
With the passage of time, a few changes have gradually evolved around life on the farm. Watermark Farm was a past fixture in the Paperchase circuit with competitions in both Spring and Fall. Several dressage and jumper schooling shows were also in the calendar each year. Multiple crops were also grown on the upper portion of the farm.
Going forward into the future, the farm is focusing on consolidating the effort of competing our fine horses. This is an ideal time to acquire 1) a well bred and trained young horse for your very own purposes, 2) a piece of our agriculturally based property, or 3) a partial ownership of some of the FEI horses that are ready to go compete in the immediate future. If you are interested in learning more about syndication options, land purchase or owning one of the horses, please contact us to discuss the situation that appeals most to you. |
Desperado
OLD
Daylily WF
Dolce Elise WF
Windrose WF |
Wizard
WF
Don William WF
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A few of the highlights from the breeding
program:
- Able and Ready – Successful A/O Jumper, Eventer and Dressage horse
- Able Spirit (WF) – Multiple HOY awards and a highly placed NAYRC participant
1991-1995 prior to retiring to the breeding program
- Again and Again – Grand Prix competitor, exceptional broodmare sire and winner at Dressage
At Devon
- Adamant – Proven FEI horse and sire of multiple Eventing Stars
- Alacazam – 1994 NAYRC Silver Medalist and Grand Prix competitor
- Alexis Carrington WF – Site Reserve Champion
- Aloysius WF – Site Reserve Champion, Premier Award Winner
- Aurora – Preliminary Event horse, proven producer of high quality offspring
- As You Wish WF – FEI Event Horse, proven broodmare
- Avebury WF – FEI Event Horse, Licensed Stallion 2004, One * in 2011
- Daylily WF – Site Champion, Premier Award Winner, Future FEI horse
- Dolce Elise WF - Site Champion, East Coast Foal Futurity Champion, Premier Award Winner
- Don William WF - Premium Foal, Future FEI horse
- Dreamcatcher WF – Site Champion, Premier Award Winner, Future FEI horse
- Drummond WF – Premier Award Winner, Future FEI horse
- Showtime WF - Successful A Show Hunter with multiple Champion titles to his credit
- Wakanda WF – Site Champion, up and coming Grand Prix horse
- Waldina WF - Site Champion, Premier Award Winner, East Coast Foal Futurity Champion
- Waverleigh WF - Site Reserve Champion, Premier Award Winner
- Wendolyn WF- Site Reserve Champion, Premier Award Winner
- Westerleigh WF – Site Reserve Champion
- Wichita Rose WF – Site Reserve Champion
- Wilona WF - Premium Foal, Devon Horse Show Champion 2015
- Wilson WF – Premier Award Winner
- Wizard WF – Site Champion, Premier Award Winner, Top Foal in North
American 2006, Licensed for Breeding in 2008, FEI horse
- Wyatt WF – Site Champion, Premier Award Winner, up and coming Grand Prix horse
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