By Caitlin Lee
The saying is usually “dogs are a man’s best friend”, but in this case it's a horse that is a girl’s best friend. Kelly Bohnenberger’s best friend is her horse named Tripp. It took a year of begging and several slideshow presentations until her parents finally agreed to allow her to buy a horse in 2014.
She has been riding horses for thirteen years and currently rides at Highlander Farm in
The saying is usually “dogs are a man’s best friend”, but in this case it's a horse that is a girl’s best friend. Kelly Bohnenberger’s best friend is her horse named Tripp. It took a year of begging and several slideshow presentations until her parents finally agreed to allow her to buy a horse in 2014.
She has been riding horses for thirteen years and currently rides at Highlander Farm in
Falmouth. The reason why she wanted to start horseback riding was because “every kid did it so I wanted to. I love animals too.” Her family loves animals so much that they even raise ducks in the summer.
Kelly had to prove that horseback riding was her passion and show her dedication to it, because ten years of riding was not enough. She made several PowerPoint presentations for her parents highlighting why she deserved it and why she is responsible enough to take care of a horse. Eventually she proved herself, and her parents agreed to look into it.
The day finally came on February 27, 2014 when she brought home Tripp. Kelly went to Rhode Island, Connecticut, and to other parts of Massachusetts before finding Tripp in Maine. “My trainer’s mom found her and she was perfect. I wanted an untrained young horse so I could learn how to raise one and take care of her,” Kelly said, “and she is my best friend, but sometimes my enemy too because she can be sassy.”
Ever since that day Kelly has been working hard to take care of her. She pays for over 50% of the bills for Tripp by going to the barn to work everyday after school to pay for lessons, and she waitresses on weekends too.
They recently have been participating in more horse shows since Kelly has had success with training her, and Tripp has been improving everyday. In April of 2016 they earned their first blue ribbon together, and that was amazing for both of them because it showed that dedication pays off.
The experience with her overall has been a roller coaster, but an exciting one because horses are her passion. After graduating high school Kelly plans on bringing Tripp to college with her so they can start the next chapter of their lives together and to take care of her.
Kelly had to prove that horseback riding was her passion and show her dedication to it, because ten years of riding was not enough. She made several PowerPoint presentations for her parents highlighting why she deserved it and why she is responsible enough to take care of a horse. Eventually she proved herself, and her parents agreed to look into it.
The day finally came on February 27, 2014 when she brought home Tripp. Kelly went to Rhode Island, Connecticut, and to other parts of Massachusetts before finding Tripp in Maine. “My trainer’s mom found her and she was perfect. I wanted an untrained young horse so I could learn how to raise one and take care of her,” Kelly said, “and she is my best friend, but sometimes my enemy too because she can be sassy.”
Ever since that day Kelly has been working hard to take care of her. She pays for over 50% of the bills for Tripp by going to the barn to work everyday after school to pay for lessons, and she waitresses on weekends too.
They recently have been participating in more horse shows since Kelly has had success with training her, and Tripp has been improving everyday. In April of 2016 they earned their first blue ribbon together, and that was amazing for both of them because it showed that dedication pays off.
The experience with her overall has been a roller coaster, but an exciting one because horses are her passion. After graduating high school Kelly plans on bringing Tripp to college with her so they can start the next chapter of their lives together and to take care of her.