Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 175

My Christmas Gift From My Father

It was Christmas 1937, I was 10 years old. I had been riding since I was 6 years old. The instructor at the riding academy had a talk with my father about a riding courier for me, not in dressage, but in jumping. He told my father I had potential in jumping, I had the courage and stamina to not only be good, but in another 10 years be great and have the right stuff to strive for the 1948 Olympic Games.

My father loved to hear this from a professional view, which this instructor had, he was military and very disciplined. My training got more rigorous and the instructor more critical.

Our mama and Mrs. Nietsche were very busy in the kitchen, while we, my brother Wolfgang, my sister Friedl and I polished up our little song for tonight, Christmas Eve. We planned something different from past Christmas eves when we would individually perform a rhyme or sang a song. The doors to the living room are closed, since the decorating was being in full swing. We would be outside the closed doors to recite. Then, the doors would be opened and there in all its glory was this awesome Noble Tree, decorated, all the candles burning bright and with smiles on their faces, papa and mama standing there in the glow of this magnificent tree, waiting with open arms. After big hugs, inviting us to come and find our presents the angels had brought to us on Christ’s birthday.

Tonight we three had a surprise for our parents and the angels. We had studied together to sing “Silent Night” together as one and hoped, we would please everyone by this performance:

Angels, Jesus, Mama and Papa. It worked as we could see on their eyes with the tears ready to roll down their cheeks. We all, Mrs. Kramer and Mrs. Nietsche too, gathered around the big, beautiful tree with it’s many candles and wonderful fragrance. Our mama had decorated large plated with a blossom, an orchid and offered an assortment of beautiful chocolates and many different home made cookies to everyone, to give us strength to handle all the presents.

When it was my turn I saw an envelope with my name. I opened it and with my heart pounding I found a picture first, it was of a long-legged, like a sawhorse foal and with it, was the certificate of this sweet and beautiful baby horse. The certificate had date of birth, her ancestry and her name. Like always with Trakehners, a long and noble name, but the end result was: “The beautiful Anna.” I did not know what to say, so I cried and threw my arms around my father and mother.

I knew it! I knew it that some day I would own one of these magnificent creatures.

It was a glorious Christmas eve and tomorrow I get to see my “Anna Bella” at the Marstall, the facility where the Grand Duke’s cavalry regiment is housed. My horse will be stabled there, and the riding academy is located in that complex. My horse Anna Bella is now two years old, a Trakehner, a European warmblood of East Prussian origin. She is a beautiful brown with black mane and tail, a long neck and the sweetest eyes one wants to see. I can not wait until tomorrow.

My dear father drove me to the Marstall, early. The groom brought my Anna Bella to me. I got to put my arms around her and planted a kiss on her nose and talked with her. The instructor also appeared and we talked for a while. He assured me, that this lady would be an amazing jumper with me. I was the happiest person, right now, in the world.

I knew it! This day would come! The wonderful part of this all is:
That she is mine, all mine!