Danielle Harper had always known she wanted a horse. Even though she was only eight
years old and hadn't ridden much, her love for these majestic creatures was undeniable.
Every chance she got, she would ask her parents for a horse, hoping one day they would
say yes. Her wish seemed almost within reach when her family moved to the country,
a place where horses were not just a dream but a possibility.
That Christmas, Danielle's world changed forever. She woke up to find an envelope under the tree, a rather unusual gift, but her curiosity piqued. Tearing it open, she found a picture inside. It was a photo of a beautiful bay filly, standing in a green summer pasture beside her mom. "Whose horse is this?" she asked with some confusion. Her parents smiled and confirmed that the horse was indeed hers, a baby horse, a colt with a registered name of Abracadabra.
The filly was still a few months old and lived 2.5 hours away, so they had to wait
until she was weaned to bring her home. Abracadabra was born from a mare owned by
Zach Crane, a Dickinson State bronc rider on the Blue Hawk Rodeo Team who lived on
a ranch north of Bismarck. Back then, updates weren’t as immediate as they are today.
There were no constant streams of photos or videos, just Danielle's imagination of
what her new friend was doing and how she was growing.
From Christmas until summer, Danielle and her family played a fun game of naming the filly. They tossed around names, finally narrowing it down to Magic and Abby. Eventually, the name Abby stuck, short for Abracadabra.
The wait was agonizingly long for 8-year-old Danielle, but finally, that fall, Abby arrived. She was six months old, halter broke, and ready to meet her new family. Danielle instantly fell in love. She walked Abby around like a dog, letting her eat grass outside the pasture, and spent every possible moment with her. They walked together to get the mail, and even accompanied her brother on bike rides. Danielle cherished these moments, knowing Abby had growing to do before she could be ridden.
A family friend, who connected them to Abby, helped train her. Some college students put in the initial rides, and by the time Abby was three, she was well-broken. Her docile and friendly nature made the training a smooth process. Danielle was excited to see how Abby excelled in 4H horsemanship and trail. Although not a speed horse, Abby was even used in barrel racing and other speed events, showing her versatility.
Abby was not just a Western horse; she was excellent at English riding, which seemed
to be her true calling. Danielle and Abby shared countless memories, competing and
riding together, forming a bond that would last a lifetime.
Years passed, and Abby eventually went into semi-retirement, waiting for the next generation of little Harpers to ride her. Danielle had children of her own, and Abby became a beloved kids' horse. It was heartwarming to see her come full circle, being pampered and loved by four little ones. Despite her age, Abby looked as vibrant and healthy as she did at eight, never seeming to age.
Abby had a bit of attitude, perfectly matching the spirited children who rode her. She was intuitive, sensing people's emotions and responding accordingly. If someone was nervous, she would be too, but as soon as they calmed down, so did she. While not “bomb-proof”, Abby was a fantastic listener, making her an ideal horse for kids learning to ride.
Abby lives a spoiled, well-loved life, enjoying every moment with the Harper family. She has a big back, perfect for the four little riders who adore her. Abby's journey from a colt to a cherished family horse was a testament to the love and dedication of Danielle, and now her family. It is amazing how one little bay filly helped create a legacy of joy and companionship that would last for generations.
This story is posted as it appears in the Heart River Voice (August 2024 | Vol. 6, No. 8 | p. 18). To view this column online, please click here.