Posted: November 13, 2006

Watermark Farm - A Family Steeped in American Breeding Tradition
By Jeannie Blanq for HorsesDaily

Watermark Farm is a private family business that is steeped in tradition. Owners Bill and Anne Rawle met in the horse industry and despite both having expensive taste, they started out on horses that were a far cry from the beautifully statuesque and talented American Warmbloods that they breed, raise and sell today. In the beginning, they couldn’t afford exactly what they wanted so they decided to breed for it. "It was always frustrating to get just so far with a horse and find out it had problems before we ever got it," said Bill. "We were always trying to fix someone else's training dilemma. It seemed simpler to start with a clean slate, even though it would take a long time to get to the ring."

In 1970 they purchased the 100 acres that now comprise Watermark Farm, so named because of the remains of a paper mill in the southeast corner of their property. At one time their farm was utilized as a tree farm—where they were harvested for paper. Not long after the purchase of the land, Anne and Bill bred their first stallions- Hanoverian/Thoroughbred crosses from the famous Hanoverian Abundance. At this time, they also began the selection of the high quality mares to compete and later utilize in their exemplary broodmare herd. All Watermark Farms offspring are registered with the American Warmblood Registry.

Many people mistakenly think that the American Warmblood Registry is made up of draft crosses, but that is not the case. The registry, a full voting member of the World Breed Federation for Sport Horses, has a rigorous inspection process and is equal to the standards of any of the best European registries. The AWR adheres to strict criteria for conformation, soundness, athleticism and aptitude. In fact, Watermark Farm hosts inspections each year.

Today, the farm stands four stallions actively with eight mares currently in foal. At any given time, there may be up to 40 horses on the farm, a few that are over 26 years of age. “They are all in good health and earned a spot on this farm for the rest of their lives,” according to youngest daughter and assistant farm manger Ellie Rawle.