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.
Abundance & Al Steiert |
William and Anne Rawle purchased the one hundred plus acres that comprise Watermark Farm in 1970. As the historic ruins of a yellow paper producing mill borders the south-eastern corner of the property, the name “Watermark” and the production of fine paper seemed appropriate. Ambitious plans were laid and the selection of high quality mares and exemplary performance stallions began in earnest. Both Anne and Bill had competed at a high level with geat success over the years with various types of horses and wanted to produce high quality riding horses for themselves and their aquaintences. | ||
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| Thoroughbred mares were readily available at that time, so Abundance began breeding in the spring of 1967. In the mid 1970’s Abundance moved to Watermark Farm to stand at stud for several seasons. Anne and Bill selected the finest available Thoroughbred mares and the first generation of offspring was produced. A few of the stars of that venture are (below): |  |
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| Able and Ready | Able Spirit | Aurora | Again and Again |
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In the spring of 1973, Emily arrived to brighten the days here on the farm. She was joined in 1976 by Ellie and the two girls blossomed first into the ranks of FEI Young Riders, then Silver and Gold Medalist, under Anne’s tutelage. | |
| Adamant | Apparition | ||
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In the 1981 the triple licensed Westphalian stallion *Dekor joined the cast of stallions here at Watermark Farm. 
Dekor |
Ellie |
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| Emily |
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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 |
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Left and Right, South American Way xx |
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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. |
Desperado OLD
Daylily WF
Dolce Elise WF
Windrose WF |
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Wizard WF
Don William WF
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A few of the highlights from the breeding program:
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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.
South
American Way
Waldaire
2004
Dressage
Royal
