Bella Sara was a children's card trading game that combined a world of magical horses with game play. Published by Seattle-based game company Hidden City Entertainment, Bella Sara began as a trading card game that expanded into an international product line. Having three set releases each year, all trading cards had images of illustrated horses, characters and magical friends with positive, inspirational messages on them. Each card pack included secret codes that could be redeemed on the website to care for and nurture magical horses online. Select Bella Sara products included these secret codes to expand the magical world even further. It was reported June 16, 2013 that the Bella Sara Company would be ceasing all operations. As of January 2020, the flash site is still up, but the store has been shut down.
History
Bella Sara was started in Denmark by Gitte Odder Brændgaard, who intended to create an alternative to other popular trading card games, such as Pokémon and , that would be more suited to girls and lack the element of competition present in the other games. After the game proved successful in Scandinavia, the cards were released on a trial run to United States consumers in Seattle and San Diego at the end of 2006. Sales during that trial run were high enough to convince retailers to take the cards national in March 2007. The cards continued to grow in popularity with children until the company ceased operations.
Card availability
Cards could be purchased in booster packs, value boxes, and tins, each of which contained a random assortment of cards. Card packs could be purchased online or at a number of retailers worldwide. All cards were published for a limited time in sets. There are eighteen sets of cards, as well as other collectible merchandise. These include: ;“First Series” : 64 total cards: 36 common cards, 9 rare cards, 10 energy cards and 9 foil cards with silver background ;“Second Series” : 124 total cards: 58 common cards, 27 rare cards, 12 energy cards and 27 foil cards with gold background ;“Northern Lights” : 72 total cards: 28 common cards, 17 rare cards, 10 energy cards and 17 foil cards with pale blue background ;“Ancient Lights” : 72 total cards: 28 common cards, 17 rare cards, 10 energy cards and 17 foil cards with pink background ;“Native Lights” : 72 total cards: 28 common cards, 17 rare cards, 10 energy cards and 17 foil cards with textured lavender background ;“Magical Friends” : 123 total cards: 37 common cards, 37 rare cards, 12 energy cards and 37 foil cards with solid lavender background ;“Baby Bella” : 129 total cards: 43 common cards, 37 rare cards, 12 energy cards and 37 foil cards with green background ;“Treasures” : 110 total cards: 55 common cards, 55 foil cards. ;“Royalty” : 110 total cards: 55 common cards, 55 foil cards, 5 common energy cards and 5 foil energy cards.
“Royalty” was the first set to omit rare cards. From this set forward, rare cards are no longer included and is the first set to include the "Bella Sara Ticket" card in each package. Ticket cards may be gold, silver or copper.
Each "Bella Sara Ticket" activated awards horses, horseshoes, and prizes to play with in your online cottage.
;“Bella's Ball” : 110 total cards: 50 common cards, 55 foil cards, 5 character cards. ;“Sunflowers” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 character cards. ;“Moonfairies” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 story cards. ;“Starlights” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 story cards. ;“Spring Carnival” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 story cards. ;“Summer Camp” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 story cards. ;“Winter Festival” : 110 total cards: 45 common cards, 55 foil cards, 10 story cards. ;“Best of Bella Sara” : 110 total cards: 55 common cards, 55 foil cards. ;"Herds from North of North" : 110 total cards: 55 common cards: 55 foil cards. Bella Sara cards were available in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. Bella Sara received numerous awards from child development and parenting authorities, including the “National Parenting Center Seal of Approval” for 2009, the National Parenting Publications "Honors Award" for 2009, the "Toy of the Year" and the “Seal of Excellence” from Creative Child Magazine for 2008 and 2009, the “Excellent Product” and “Outstanding Product” designations from iParenting Media, and the “Best Products” award from Dr. Toy.
