Founder & CEO

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Sally has an MA in professional counseling. She served as Chief Development Officer and Equine Trainer at Acres for Life (One of the largest Mental Health Equine – Experiential Programs in the world) for 5 years and has spent a decade raising awareness of the healing power of horses. She facilitates sessions, and advocates through speaking and fundraising engagements. Sally founded Abijah’s on the Backside in 2020, combining her passions for horse racing (she’s an exercise rider at thoroughbred tracks) and supporting military and first responders. Sally believes it’s more than just racing. It’s about running for a cause; to bring hope, healing, and transformation to all.

The vision of Abijah’s on the Backside is inspired by Sally’s faith, her late friend, Jeff Lukas, and David Burrage who took care of Jeff for 20 years following his famous accident in 1993 with Tobasco Cat.

Co-Founder & VP of Development

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Dani has an extensive history of creating and developing non-profits, guiding them to global movements through sponsor development and partnerships with entities like Citibank, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Best Buy, US Bank, Fiat, iHeart and more. Dani has spearheaded development & partnerships with a wide range of local & global charities including: Global Poverty Project, Twin Cities Film Fest, Malala Fund, Mandela Foundation, Eagala, Buffalo Strong & more. Her fundraising campaigns have raised tens of millions in sponsorships & donor dollars. She believes the timing is perfect for Abijah’s on the Backside to elevate the racing industry- bringing healing & hope to a sport that deserves a revival in the decades to come.

Director of Operations

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As an Air Force veteran herself, Deana approaches her work with a strong respect for structure, accountability, and the role consistency plays in healing and transition.  Deana holds a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her background allows her to bridge high-level operational oversight with client-centered values, helping ensure Abijah’s programs operate with professionalism, integrity, and care. Raised on a horse and cattle ranch and in a military family, Deana brings a lifelong foundation in horsemanship alongside firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by military members and first responders.

Her approach to this work is also informed by a deeply personal experience partnering with an off-track thoroughbred who supported her through a particularly difficult season and helped shape her understanding of healing through relationship.

Deana is often seen with her fuzzy companion Nala, her service dog, who assists her in managing symptoms of PTSD and provides grounding throughout the day. Together, they reflect Abijah’s belief that meaningful change often happens quietly, through patience, safety, and presence.

Equine Specialist

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Founder of Furlong Learning (On Track Education)

Meghan Riley, driven by a lifelong passion for learning and a deep connection to the
racing community, founded Furlong Learning (On Track Education). This unique program fosters global perspectives, encourages personal and professional growth, and provides valuable educational support services and resources to its members.

Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with certifications in Science and Language Immersion. Her diverse background includes over 15 years of experience raising and training apex predators for wildlife education, motion film, and commercial photography, demonstrating her expertise in animal behavior science. She also brings over 25 years of experience working with horses on and off the racetrack, including certifications as a Project Wild Educator and an ARCH Equine Specialist (incorporating horses into the mental health field at Abijah’s).

Her philosophy Is to keep moving. Move your mind, move your feet. Education is every day and everywhere. Sometimes we just prefer our dusty boots to a desk.

Barn Boss 

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A mix of stubbornness and snuggles, Louie is Sally’s devoted service dog — often found basking in the sun, sitting by the fire, or rocking on his rocking chair.  At Abijah’s, he gets to just be a dog but believes he’s a horse, carrying his wrinkly head high and owning every barn he enters as the unofficial barn boss. A racetrack veteran and beloved traveler, Louie charms everyone he meets — legislators, donors, clients, or any lucky visitor.  Louie will never let us forget this is his world… and we just live in it. 

Director of First Impressions

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Nala is Deana’s service dog and the unofficial (but very committed) Director of First Impressions at Abijah’s. With her ever-wagging tail and signature “leg lean,” she greets every visitor like they are the most important person she’s seen all day—because to her, they are.

A professional in the art of joy, Nala specializes in unsolicited butt nudges for scratches, calm presence during heavy conversations, and reminding everyone that healing can include laughter. Whether she’s quietly grounding someone in a difficult moment or happily trotting alongside the herd, Nala faithfully serves Deana and all who visit Abijah’s.

If you visit Abijah’s, chances are Nala will find you first. And yes… she will expect butt scratches. 💛

Kentucky Bred

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If healing lived in a gaze, it would be Boxer’s.

Some horses walk into the pasture like they own the place… And then there’s Boxer — our sensitive gentleman with the world’s softest heart.  An assistant trainer at the time, who worked with him, approached Abijah’s when Boxer’s ankles began to swell.  This trainer shared how Boxer, “Has the eyes of a healer.”  He was right.  Boxer retired that day and moved over to his forever stall at Abijah’s.  

He’s gentle. He’s thoughtful.
And yes… he’s completely obsessed with Wave. (We don’t judge — Wave’s gorgeous 😂)

Boxer is the horse who leans his head into someone’s chest when they’re having a hard day.
The one who quietly follows a veteran around until they finally exhale.  The one who teaches people that sensitivity is a strength, not a flaw.

Minnesota Bred

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If strength had a shape… it would look like Wave — our only mare and the definition of overcoming. 

Wave was once a beast on the racetrack — fierce, fast, powerful. Her identity was performance… until a freak pasture accident changed everything in an instant.  Suddenly, the life she knew — the life she excelled at — was gone.

When she first arrived at Abijah’s, she was unpredictable, and honestly… lived up to her name in being a little ‘dangerous.’  We questioned whether she would ever feel safe enough for clients.  But Wave wasn’t trying to be difficult — she was trying to be heard.  Once we listened?  Everything changed.

By giving her room to decompress, Wave began to soften. She learned that she is valuable not because of what she does — but because of who she is.  Today, this black-and-white mare teaches people how to live in the grey area — a place that’s especially hard for first responders and military members who are trained to see the world in absolutes.

Minnesota Bred

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If the herd had a heartbeat… it would be Finn.   And if the herd had a class clown…it would be Finn.

Finn has been the steady leader since the very beginning and was raised by the one and only, Abijah.  He is our grounded soul — the horse who reminds people to not only breathe but laugh.  If Finn is around, there is never a dull moment.  He’s animated, fierce, and offers presence when words won’t come.

When Sally first saw him, he was just six months old — malnourished, failing to thrive, and alone. His mother died during birth, and living was a struggle.  But something in him fought to survive.  He’s half war horse (Friesian) and lives out the heart of a warrior.  Long before the program came to the racing industry and long before the barn was full of retired racehorses, Finn was there.  

Where courage and peace begin, you’ll find Finn, The Protector, basking in the sunshine

Minnesota Bred

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The porch-sitting old man with a fire that still matters. (picture Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino)

If personality had a punchline… it would be Rocket. Tall, dark, handsome — and absolutely done with everyone’s nonsense.  In 2012, Rocket won his first race.  As if he knew he was ‘A Winner’ he never really tried after that.  He had proven he could and decided he didn’t want too anymore.  His owner, who started a large racing group inspired by this horse (that is still going strong today called Rocket Wrench Racing), brought him home and he spent the next ten years living the good life – No pressures, no crowds, just sunshine.  

And then, all that changed.  Rocket joined the Abijah’s herd in 2023 — He had to relearn how to share space, trust new people, and accept leadership.

But here’s the truth:
If you take the time. If you show up with patience. If you respect his space and if you don’t get intimidated by his theatrics, Rocket does want relationship. 

You can be rough around the edges and still deeply good. You can want closeness but not know how to ask for it.  You can have opinions without being dangerous.  You can be tough and still soft underneath.

Mexico Bred

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The fighter with a heart that refuses to quit.

If steadiness had a shape… it would look a lot like Figaro. Calm. Predictable. Gentle.  People meet him and see peace — but very few understand the fight it took for him to become that way. Figaro has overcome more in his lifetime than most horses (or humans) ever do.

Figaro came into his race retirement with an injury and an uncertain future.
Then he met Deana at a rescue in Oklahoma, two souls who recognized something in each other long before either of them had words for what it was.  Two injured souls found healing in each other. 

In the last ten years, Figaro has endured injuries and illnesses that should have ended his riding career or his will, but that’s the thing about Figaro — his heart refuses to quit.

Every time the world said “stop,” he said “not yet.” Every injury became an invitation to rise again. When he finally retired from his second career in jumping in 2024, he joined the Abijah’s herd. He didn’t lose his purpose —he simply found a new one alongside his human, Deana.  

Now Figaro is the steady presence people lean on.  The quiet soul who shows that resilience isn’t loud or dramatic — sometimes it’s just the willingness to try again after life knocks the wind out of you.