Birmingham ranch breeds champion Arabians

I went out to do this story as part of my job, and felt like I was stealing from my company. This was just too much fun to call it work and get paid for it.

I watched and was amazed by the beauty of some animals. Not just any animals… world champion stock, the sire of best Arabian halter mare in the whole world.

They had names like Just-A-Fire and Just Dream On, and a beautiful, patient horse named Lacey.

It was a good day... such a good day that we took some pictures so we could share it all with you.

We're at Cornerstone Ranch. Debby Holden is the boss around these parts. She fell in love with her first pony named Spot, a gift from her parents.

"When I was 9 years old they bought me a pony with their income tax return," Holden said.

Debby Holden has fallen in love with many horses since. Her office is filled with roses and ribbons and trophies and wonderful memories.

"Seeing horses that you have bred together and you see the outcome at a horse show... that's a champion. To me there's nothing better."

Cornerstone Ranch is home to many wonderful animals, but when Just-A-Fire comes into the ring, all eyes and ears perk up. When he is turned loose, you don't tell him to show off... he just does. Just-A-Fire is handsome, he's majestic, he's graceful, and he knows it.

"I guess he was born with it, and like I told you before I think he's Clark Gable," Holden said. "He's just got a lot of turn on... he just has that look of eagles that they talk about with all the great horses and he's got that, and I don't think anyone can tell you what that is, but he's got it."

Just-A-Fire was a fine show horse himself, but his real stardom in the horse business was his remarkable record as sire to world champions. And, he has produced champions in all disciplines.

"The people in the Arabian community know that he was born and bred right here in Alabama, but a lost of people don't know that. And to me, that's important for Alabama to know the best Arabian halter mare in the whole world was born and bred right here in Birmingham," Holden said.

Just-A-Fire gets some extra work in the indoor ring. He loves it here. His favorite thing is the big mirror on one wall. Without fail, Just-A-Fire takes a little time to admire what he must think is the finest looking specimen he's ever seen.

"He knows who he is, he gets bred to a lot of mares and that's gotta make him feel special... why wouldn't it?" Holden laughed.

Just-A-Fire’s granddaughter and daughter of world champion Just-A-Dream is named just Dream On. She too knows when the camera is on. As you watch her move, tell me, have you ever in your life seen such a graceful animal?

Debby Holden runs a working ranch. It's business, but it's fun too. It's a place where even a novice can touch and talk to near-perfect animals, and almost feel like they understand what you say. It's a place of promise.

"And, I'm really looking forward to the foals coming. That's kind of the highlight of our year, they start in March and it's just you know having all the babies... you know it's just a promise... like Christmas morning when they're born, and you never, never know what national champion is being ready to be born... so we're always lookin’ for the next one," Holden said.

Debby Holden was kind enough to give me a model of Just-A-Dream. Folks collect and cherish these lifelike models... and so will I.