22 Dec 2016 An unexpected best friend

Story and photos
by Callie Sterling

Landri Aultman’s parents thought her horse infatuation was a phase, but they soon realized her passion is completely genuine. Trooper, a 7-year-old Bay Quarter Horse, officially joined the Aultman family last summer.

“I have been riding for three years,” Landri said. “In the past, I have borrowed horses, but now I have my very own. I rode a total of five horses in 2016.”

Aultman, an 11-year-old sixth grade student at Greenbrier Middle School, saved up her money to purchase Trooper, and her dad chipped in the difference. The Aultman family learned that Trooper was for sale through her trainer at Belote Farms in Greenbrier. Belote Farms is where Trooper was being boarded by his previous owner and where he continues to live.

Her parents, Toya and Jason Aultman, knew their daughter needed her own horse.

“This is really her passion,” Toya said. “It did not take long to notice what a positive change this made in her life. I knew she was in it for the long haul very early on. I am so thankful that our friends were so gracious to let us borrow their horses until Landri got Trooper.”

Since she began riding horses, Landri’s parents believe that she has gained more self-confidence and learned responsibility.     

“She has really come out of her shell since we got Trooper,” Toya said. “She saved her money, and that in itself was so rewarding to see as a parent. We have seen so many positive changes in her since she started riding. It has been so great for her, and we have loved watching her horseback riding journey.”

Landri enjoys competing in local horseback riding events, but not necessarily for the competition aspect. She enjoys the friendships she has gained through competitive riding. “It is fun getting to be with your friends at competitions,” Landri said.

For Landri, the best part of being in a competition is the experience as a whole, rather than winning.

“She is honestly not very competitive by nature; she just loves seeing her friends at shows,” Toya said. “She doesn’t really care about winning.”

Landri has competed in the Arkansas Valley show in Russellville as well as the Show of Champions in Malvern. She won the Arkansas Valley Rookie of the Year award in 2015. In 2016, she placed second in flags at the Arkansas Valley show with Trooper.

“I have won money at horse shows, and I bought a bridle and breast collar for Trooper with that money,” Landri said.

Trooper is currently being trained to do barrels and poles. Landri has participated in the Arkansas 4-H High Adventures Horse Packing Program.

Landri loves Trooper’s personality. “Trooper is playful, sweet, silly, mischievous, stubborn and determined,” Landri said.

Toya sees similarities in her daughter’s and Trooper’s personalities. “Their personalities kind of mirror one another,” she said. “They’ve been really great for one another.”

The young horseback rider plans to continue riding for as long as she is able. “I want to keep riding forever,” she said. “I love horses because they are pretty, but they are also fast, and, of course, because I can ride them.”