A good cowboy can do anything when he’s sitting tall astride his trusty horse. Seven-year-old Markell dreamed of getting in the saddle, but his sickle cell anemia and frequent blood transfusions didn’t leave him much time for adventure – until he made his wish.

Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Mississippi were determined to make Markell’s first horseback experience a true joy ride, and they started by making sure he looked the part. Boots & More, a local retailer, invited Markell and his family to a shopping spree that would make any cowboy kick up his spurs.

The store owners surprised Markell with a wish cake, and they outfitted him in a new blue button-down shirt, blue jeans, chaps, a belt and shiny belt buckle, and of course, cowboy boots. Markell completed the look with a black 10-gallon hat and then moseyed over to the Chimneyville BBQ restaurant for some chow.

Next, the young cowboy set off to learn that his beloved horses are capable of much more than trotting over the trails. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus welcomed Markell to a rehearsal, where he met the trainers of its beautiful appaloosa horses. He also was invited to feed and pet the prized horses. And later that night, when he and his family took their seats at the circus performance, the announcer welcomed them in front of a packed house.

Markell woke up the next day ready to take the reins himself. He and his family traveled to a nearby ranch, and the owners introduced him to Storm, his gentle steed for the day.

Markell was thrilled by his view of the world on horseback. “His face just brightened, and his eyes widened,” said Chris Kennedy of the Mississippi chapter. “He lit up. You could see in his face how much fun he was having.”

The ranch also surprised Markell’s whole family with horseback rides so they all could hit the trail together. The experience “really gave the family a chance to be a family again,” Kennedy said.

At day’s end, Markell didn’t want to say goodbye to his new friend, Storm. The aspiring cowboy’s love of horses is here to stay.

– By Kathryn Roethel

All photographs provided by Christina Canon & Chris Kennedy.