Zip of Gin aka "Abbi"
1997 AQHA Chestnut Mare
Sire: Zippo Pine Glow
Dam: Skipette Bandit
Born at high noon, up and looking for breakfast
At age 2 she got her initial training from Dean Hodges, then
went to live with her new owner Nancee Evkovich of Susanville.
As Nancee's pride and joy, Abbi's training was continued and
enhanced by Jennifer Jackson of Standish. Abbi and Jenni
competed in Western Pleasure and Trail, winning many circuits
with the Honey Lake Valley Riders
Abbi was injured in a pasture accident which left a front knee permanently crippled so she became
a happy pasture ornamment. When Nancee suffered from poor health and passed away in 2010,
Abbi came back to live with me.
Abbi's weak knee slowly bowed with arthritis and forced too much weight onto her opposing leg.
Her weight-bearing front hoof suffered from laminitis, then the hind feet also foundered serially
from rocking her weight backward. Soft-ride boots and Bute kept her functioning for another year
but soon it was apparent that her prognosis offered nothing but continued pain.
Abbi's last day: February 2, 2011
Abbi got her barn name based upon her quirky personality. She was really an individual, often
too smart and always wanted things her way. She would be pushy if she could get away with it.
We started making jokes based on Mel Brooks' movie "Young Frankenstein" that went like this:
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein:
Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?
Igor:
Then you won't be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein:
I will NOT be angry.
Igor:
Abby someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein:
[pause, then] Abby someone. Abby who?
Igor:
Abby... Normal.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein:
[pause, then] Abby Normal?
Igor:
I'm almost sure that was the name.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein:
Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half
foot long, fifty-four inch wide GORILLA?
And since she
was
Abbi-normal and something of a monster brat at the time,
that became her name!
