By ANNA ROBINSON

Sophomore Amelia Lautenberg of Holmdel has been friends with Felora for over a year and a half and feels like she can talk to her about anything. While Felora has no trouble showing affection, she won’t ever be able to verbalize her love; Felora is a horse.

Since she was 12 years old, Lautenberg has been riding horses across Monmouth County. Her passion for creatures like Felora, though she cannot personally own one, has brought her to four different stables. Most recently, she has been riding at Victory Stables.

As Lautenberg improved in the sport, she began competing.

“I got a first place ribbon at my first show,” she said. “I can jump 2 feet 6 inch fences.”

She cares for the horses by cleaning and feeding them, but she says all of her hard work “has been well worth it” because of the love the horses give her back, like trusting her enough to ride them. Lautenberg spoke again about Felora, saying that “she really takes care of her rider” by allowing her to try tricks, most recently mastering jumping.

Fellow sophomore Louis Avena of Middletown said that from the “second after he met her” he knew that Lautenberg had a true adoration for horses.

“She talks about [horses] all the time. Her eyes light up when she talks about them,” said Avena.

Her work around the barn is not limited to riding and caring for the horses; for the past two years, Lautenberg has participated in Special People United to Ride, a program at Sunnyside Equestrian Center that teaches children with disabilities how to ride horses.

“I’ve been with one little boy for about a year now, and he’s the sweetest, happiest kid ever. His name is Connor, and he can’t really talk very well, but he loves the horses,” said Lautenberg. “He neighs at them when he rides.”

Lautenberg said the program, her “favorite thing,” has caused her to dream of going to vet school, of continuing to ride horses and of continuing to work with the kids. Time spent acting, singing and playing the ukulele, along with her aspirations of becoming a vet, however, would not allow her to ride her beloved horses “as much as she would like.” But Lautenberg assured that her friendship with Felora will always be stable.