Young equestrian takes top prizes

Jordan Olson, 13, of St. John, practices with her Appaloosa gelding He's Perfect Vision. The pair have won top prizes in major local, regional, state and national competitions.

Young equestrian takes top prizes

Jordan Olson gets her horse, He's Perfect Vision, ready for a light workout. Jordan, who is the only person to ride and train Vision, is a prize-winning equestrian.

Young equestrian takeks top prizes

Jordan Olson, right, a prize-winning equestrian rides He's Perfect Vision while her sister Morgan rides Cooper. Jordan, 13, of St. John, and Vision have won top prizes in major local, regional, state and national competitions.

Young equestrian takes top prizes

ST. JOHN | Jordan Olson puts her 13-year-old solid sorrel Appaloosa gelding, He’s Perfect Vision, through his paces in the indoor training ring at Red Oaks Ranch at Dyer.

Hobart businesswoman provides home for horses

Beth Gagliardi closes stable doors Tuesday after returning horses to their stalls at the Excelsior Equestrian Center.

Hobart businesswoman provides home for horses

Beth Gagliardi brings horses into their stalls Tuesday at the Excelsior Equestrian Center.

Hobart businesswoman provides home for horses

Beth Gagliardi brings horses into their stalls Tuesday at the Excelsior Equestrian Center, a dressage boarding and training facility in Hobart. Gagliardi, the center's owner, said she can board up to 20 horses and currently has 16. The center also offers training and sales. For more informat…

Hobart businesswoman provides home for horses

Horses wait to be taken to their stalls Tuesday at the Excelsior Equestrian Center in Hobart.

Start the holidays right with LARC

The latest newsletter from LARC showed up in our mailbox this week so I thought I would share some of the organization’s latest news. With the holidays coming up quickly now, it’s good to make room on the calendar for some time to give back.

Boy shows horses to beat abnormality

Austin Cannon, 13, of Mount Zion, Ill., watches a group of children receive riding lessons at his home in Mount Zion. Cannon is an award-winning rider despite being born with a chromosomal abnormality that affects his communication, balance and fine-motor skills.

Boy shows horses to beat abnormality

Austin Cannon, 13, cues his horse, Chole, to speed up during his horse riding demonstration.

Boy shows horses to beat abnormality

DECATUR, Ill. | Austin Cannon's belt buckle gleamed and glinted in the sun as he helped his little sister, Sydney, lead Chloe, the 6-year-old mare they both show, out of the arena at Lazy Creek Acres.

U.S. women's teams to play for beach gold

It will be an All-American party at beach volleyball when Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor take on April Ross and Jennifer Kessy in Wednesday night's final.