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...

Afleet Lulu took a spill during the sixth race when her sesamoid bones disintegrated, causing the ankle to dislocate and cut off the blood supply to the lower foot, said C. Harden said the horse had surgery on the sesamoid bone on his ankle in the past and that the surgical spot broke down and caused the bone to separate from the ligament. We're upset when it happens, but it's just part of the racing game. The horse was euthanized on the track; her rider, Anna Napravnik, suffered a broken...

Horses that can no longer race still have many opportunities for a second career in the Marion County area and there is no need to send them to slaughter, said Tom Ventura, general manager at Ocala Breeders' Sales co. OBS oversees the sale of thousands of thoroughbreds annually, and took precautions several years ago to ensure its horses would not be bought for slaughter. An Illinois plant that was the last in the nation to slaughter horses for food will remain closed after a federal...

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Kiger mustangs are a rare breed of dun horses, which means they have qualities such as a dorsal stripe, zebra stripes on their legs, a bicolored mane and tail and darkly outlined ears. Their feet are so strong that they compete without wearing shoes, which is unusual and impressive, Diane Kimmelshue said. Winning Kigers promptly followed orders, led their trot with the correct leg and looked proper with their nose almost at a 90-degree angle to the ground. Pati Hughes, of Quincy, judged...

Brass Hat was golden yesterday, setting a Churchill Downs track record while beating Student Council by a head in a $61,000 allowance race -- marking the second time the ultimate comeback kid has returned from a year's layoff after fracturing his right foreleg. Brass Hat looks polished in rebound win. Brass Hat was golden yesterday, setting a Churchill Downs track record while beating Student Council by a head in a $61,000 allowance race -- marking the second time the ultimate comeback kid...

Ashley Sword practices barrel racing at her grandmothers indoor arena. Mary also competed in Bella Coolas rodeo and she placed first in ladies barrel racing, clocking 17 seconds. Melissa brings out the digital recorder and Ashley urges her horse forward and clover leafs around the barrels. Mary said barrel racing takes speed, technique and precision to win. She described Wrangler as a small horse with a disagreeable attitude when she first met him. She likes to compete in performance runs...

Each event will have 4-D open, youth, green horse barrel racing and open polebending jackpots. Aspin Hosts Barrel Race and Pole Bending Jackpots. The Aspin arena will be the host of the Aspin's Summer Run barrel race and pole bending jackpots. The last date of the summer events will be July 7. Practice runs begin at 3 p. At each event, the All Around Champion and Reserve All Around Champion will win a prize. There will also be a raffle to benefit the California High School Rodeo District...