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   In Loving Memory...

Again and Again

July 15, 1978 – November 14, 2007

Again and Again was bred by William and Anne Rawle and born at Watermark Farm in the summer of 1978. He was trained in dressage and competed through Grand Prix with Anne and later her daughter, Emily. As a young child Ellie was always allowed to walk him back to the trailer after his classes – he was a gentleman to handle and a true member of the family.

Again and Again was the last colt from a winning combination of bloodlines – he was a full brother to Jackie Blue, Ruxton, Rushton and The Alchemist. Jackie Blue competed in the 1984 Olympics under the Canadian flag. Ruxton was heralded as AHSA Working Hunter Horse of the Year five times and has been placed in the Hunter Hall of Fame - . Ruxton was a household name in the Working Hunters for years and overshadowed his younger brother, Rushton who was also a successful Working Hunter. Again and Again’s dam, Nobody Much was a rangy grey mare that consistently threw offspring far superior to her own outward appearance. “Chip” was the ninth and final foal from this mare by the elite imported Hanoverian stallion Abundance (Absatz x Diadem by Dominus/Goldfisch II). Abundance was imported as a weanling in 1965 and was a foundation stallion for Watermark Farm in addition to being an excellent foxhunter, event horse, FEI dressage horse and driving as a single or a pair. He was awarded Stallion of the Year from the American Hanoverian Society and helped Anne earn her Senior Medal from the USDF in the 1970’s.

In 1981, Again and Again was the winner of the Three Year Old Colts and Geldings class at Dressage at Devon, as well as the Undersaddle Class for Three Year Olds. His career went on to achieve National, Zone and Regional Championships while moving up the levels. In competition Again and Again dazzled onlookers with his gaits and athleticism – most notably in his extended trots!

His get are noteworthy with a light mouth and superb way of going with high quality gaits combined with an extremely sweet nature. The talent and mental strength for the highest levels of dressage is lying in wait for the rider to tap the full potential. Piaffe, passage and one tempi changes are all there from the beginning – it is up to the rider to nurture the talented creature that they are astride. The fabulous form over fences can almost be predicted from a horse with so many internationally successful relatives. Their talent and high trainability draw consistent praise from international trainers, breeders and competitors. Many of his offspring have gone on to become Champions - including Dance Again, Call Again Please, Affixed, Abracadabra, Once Again (Grand Champion at DAD) and Alacazam- an International Silver Medalist recipient and 2003 PHR Silver Stirrup National Grand Champion Intermediare 1, with scores up to 74%(also Reserve National Champion at PSG.). Ann Steiert bred her Again and Again daughter to the renowned show jumper, VIP, and that foal was very successful in the IJF. His vibrant chestnut son, Alibi (out of a Rash Prince x Amarullah mare) although small in stature, was a successful event horse, sire and mid-level Dressage horse for many years for owner Ami of MD. Son Artesian WF (x Aly Alice xx) continues to move ever closer to his debut at Grand Prix – while achieving success at Intermediare I.

Eleanor Percy Gayer Merkel

Photo of Lee and Eleanor Merkel

Eleanor Percy Gayer Merkel, 95, of Oxford, PA died Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at her daughter’s home at Watermark Farm after a short illness.

She married the late Lee Merkel in 1934, who predeceased her in 1997. She has resided in Upper Oxford Township for 36 years.

Born in Panama, the youngest of four children, she was the daughter of the late William Carl and Nathalie Fergusson Gayer. Her father was a chief engineer on Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal, and her mother was a well-known painter.

She was the granddaughter of Samuel Wragg Fergusson, a West Point Graduate and Civil War general from South Carolina.

Eleanor was raised in the Hough Ave. area of Cleveland, Ohio, where she graduated from East High School, and the Cleveland Museum School of Art. She designed puppets and sets for the Tatterman Marionette Troupe which sent shows throughout the USA. She studied and taught ceramics in Ohio and Wisconsin, and taught typing, junior high, and high school art, and was faculty advisor to several groups at University Lake School in Hartland, Wis. She also created the school library.

She founded the Bath Antique Show in Bath, Ohio and the Lake Country Antique Show in Nashotah, Wis.

She was the past president of the Octoraro Art Assoc., active in local historic groups and at the Union Presbyterian Church, Kirkwood, PA.

She is survived by five children, Stephen Merkel of Bay Village, OH, Barbara M. Woolf of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Col. Philip A. Merkel of Oakton, VA, Lee F. Merkel of Palm Beach Shores, FL, and Anne M. Rawle of Oxford, PA; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, 2006, following the Palm Sunday Service at Union Presbyterian Church, Street Rd., Kirkwood, PA.

Interment will be in the Knollwood Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Emily F. Rawle Memorial Scholarship Fund, Oldfields School, 1500 Glencoe Rd., Glencoe, MD 21152.

Emily Fergusson Rawle

1973-1999

Emily was born to be a great horsewoman, following in a family tradition and horse trainers, circus riders and cavalry officers.  She excelled at riding with a combination of hard work and joie de vivre, inspiring both her human and equine students to be a little greater than they believed they could be.  She was a prodigy on the horse, winning her first Prix St. Georges at the age of 12. She won the first Freestyle class at the US Pony Club National Championships at the age of 14. Between the ages of 16 and 21 she qualified for the North American Young Riders Championship five times, and in 1994 received a silver medal.  By 1997 she had advanced to the Grand Prix level.  In both 1997 and 1998 she placed at the regional finals in Grand Prix dressage.

Riding Alacazam at Devon 1994

In all, she rode seven different horses to the national finals at the FEI level.  Emily was a multi-faceted rider, and excelled in show jumping and combined training when her equine partner's talents lay in that direction. She received USDF year-end awards many times from 1987 to 1999, and was recently presented with the USDF Gold Medal rider award in recognition of these accomplishments.

Receiving award (Second from left)

Beyond her own successes, Emily was a mentor and teacher, gathering a following of younger pony clubbers who were enchanted with her spirit and attitude of "if I can do it, so can you."  She coached at rallies, judged at junior competitions, and offered encouragement to anyone who sought her advice.  She was a true friend and fierce competitor who brought out the best in those around her.

Teaching Ashton Katz at the farm 98' on Kimmie the pony.

The Delmarva Region has dedicated their rally to Emily, and three perpetual trophies have been established in her honor.  She has also been the recipient of the Marty Simenson Award for her contributions to the sport.  A scholarship has been established in her name at Oldfields School, and it continues to grow. Here at Watermark Farm, her dreams and memories live on.  We will always love Emily, and are honored to have known her.

Emily winning the leadline class at Devon

Emily and Da Vinci (Sold to Sarah Bray in Texas)

Emily riding the Dekor offspring, Dynamite. Full brother to Dynasty, Detente` and Double Bounce.

(Sold to Cappy in MD.)

Emily after one of her first GP's on Duell Anstasia

Emily with Able Spirit (Prissy). Classic photo- the hair and her favorite horse.