By Tom Mitchell LEADER TIMES Thursday, July 5, 2007 MANOR -- She's been unceremoniously "dumped" several times and at least once kicked so hard she suffered serious injuries, but those "bad" experiences did nothing to dampen Tess Hempel's love of horseback riding. By Tom Mitchell LEADER TIMES Thursday, July 5, 2007 MANOR -- She's been unceremoniously "dumped" several times and at least once kicked so hard she suffered serious injuries, but those "bad" experiences did nothing to dampen Tess...

While some young people in the Siouxland area are swimming or playing baseball this summer there are some who are all about the ride. Different age groups competed in a variety of events including barrel racing. For the young people who ride, it a time to focus on responsibility, friendship, and hard work. The 57th annual Horse Play Day in Bancroft, Nebraska, brought out dozens of young riders. Both hope to rodeo down the road. We want to know what you think about this story.

Williams, who will be a senior at Solanco this fall, and Harmon, who recently graduated from Penn Manor, will be riding for Lancaster County at the National High School Rodeo Championships, which will be held July 19-28 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. Williams, who will be a senior at Solanco this fall, and Harmon, who recently graduated from Penn Manor, will be riding for Lancaster County at the National High School Rodeo Championships, which will be held July 19-28...

In the horse racing world, he is what's known as a super-trainer. At the center of the paddock, near a fountain surrounded by grass, a group of television reporters have gathered around one of the trainers whose horses will compete today. Asmussen grew up around horses and longed to be a jockey like his dad and brother. The horse is fit but looks skinny and fragile: Her ankles are taped and her ribs are visible beneath her coat, which glistens in the sprinkling rain. I say this not only as...

The Arroyo Grande resident returned to the SSIR in 2006 to represent California again in the queen contest, and she soon discovered the year's wait and patience paid off royally. She overwhelmingly captured the SSIR queen title by winning or co-winning in the written test, personal interview, personality, two-minute speech and modeling. During the year, Osumi said she sponsored a "practice queen contest" to give hopefuls in California an idea of what they need to accomplish to become a...