Arabian Horse World is a great magazine. It has been this way for many years.

Today, while I was looking for something else, I stumbled across this interview with Homer Watson, who managed the Babson Farm for many years.

It's a fascinating piece and I thought you would all enjoy it.


An Interview with Homer Watson

Thanks so much for that Ralph!

It kinda gives a person that warm fuzzy feeling for a time period when these legendary horses were being made. All of it from the heart and all about the horse.

Really nice read.

Cindy

Thanks, Ralph. This is a timely addition to the forum.
While I was at the EE I had a most extraordinary conversation with a nice lady who stopped at the Institute tent. I asked what bloodlines she had and she replied, "Well, I know they're straight Egyptian because they don't have any Babson." That gave me pause. In further discussion it seems she probably has "new" Egyptian bloodlines. Guess more education is needed here and there. This article is a step.

Anita

DEAR RALPH

THANK YOU FOR LEDING FOLKS TO THE INTERVIEW WITH HOLMER WATSON.

HE WAS A MAN APPRECIATING ALL GOOD HORSES, REGARDLESS OF OWNER OR BREEDER AND COMMENDET ON SUCH GOOD HORSES TOO, JUST LIKE BAZY TNKERSLEY.

I REMEMBER SO WELL, WHEN SERENITY SONBOLAH BECAME NATIONAL CHAMPION MARE IN 1971, HE CAME UP TO ME, SHOOK MY HAND AND SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MARE BEFORE. WHEN HE VISITED OUR FARM IN FLORIDA HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH KHOFO++ AND SERENITY OSIRIS, STATING, THAT HE WISHED HE HAD STALLIONS TO OUTCROSS WITH LIKE THIS YEARS AGO. BUT SO WAS BAZY TANKESLEY.

HOLMER WAS A HUMBLE PERSON, A GENTLEMAN, SO DIGNIFIED AND YET TO VERY HONEST AND STRAIGHT FORWARD. THE REMARKS HE MADE IN THE INTERVIEW HOLD TRUE TODATE.

IT IS WISE TO EVER SO OFTEN READ SUCH INTERVIEW AND BE REMINDED OF REALITY, FORGOING FICTIONS AND HOOLA HOOPS, AND PRACTIZING DEAD ON HONESTY IN ONE'S OWN BREEDING PROGRAM.

HANSI

Homer was a generous man, with time for anyone who was sincerely interested in the horses. It was great to speak with someone who wasn't trying to sell you the farm, the horses or even a book. It is hard to find someone who wants to help you, without finding a way to charge you for their help and then remind you of their "generosity" (that you had to pay for or you would not have gotten). if "wolves come in sheep's clothing" then what does "benevolence" come dressed in?

Ralph,
Thanks for posting. Remind me of my visit to the Babson farm 10 yrs ago. What a wondeful place it was with fantastic horses. Somehow it makes sense that I ended up with a horse with a lot of Babson blood. Does anyone know what became of the property where the farm was located??

Thank you for guiding me to this interview. It's very interesting.

Thanks for posting this Ralph, a very 'down to earth' and meaningful interview. Makes great reading. Regards, Dot Brandie, Templar Croft Arabians, Scotland.