1. Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble
It is suspected that chasing after stragglers was the motivation for jumping on the back of a horse (www.imh.org). The benefits horseback riding were quickly realized, and tribes began keeping larger and larger herds. The tribes began fighting amongst themselves, largely over grazing land. This constant fighting made them highly skilled horsemen, a skill which was at the time unique in Asia. The Mongols" ability as horsemen was a result of necessity due to their lifestyle, a lifestyle that was very different from that of the Chinese.
The Chinese were a sedentary, agricultural people. They did not keep as many animals as the people of the steppe, who did not stay in the same place long enough to cultivate many crops and relied more on the products of animals that could move with them. They needed draught animals primarily, for pulling plows and drawing carts to market. For this they used oxen and other equids long before obtaining the horse (Loewe, 207).
Richard H Meadow, an expert archaeologist, states: "not a single horse bone has been securely identified from South Asia before the end of the third millennium BC" (www.hindunet.org). Northeastern Chinese did not domesticate their horses for another 2,000 years after the Mongolians did. This late arrival and domestication of horses in China, especially in the most populated areas, is one major reason why the Chinese began riding so long after the Mongolians. New archaeological evidence suggests that attempts were made at riding shortly after domestication in the steppe (www.hindunet.org), but the horse in China was used as a pack animal or in harness for many thousands of years before any serious attempts were made at riding. .
There is significant proof that as early as the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 BC) horses in China had become an important animal, even though they were not yet ridden. Horses and the chariots they powered were entombed with their owners in order to be with them in the next life.
During World War II there was a shortage of nurses, but defense officials were reluctant to let recruit black nurses. ... The Freedom Riders also helped with African Americans by helping them to receive fair transportation. ... The Freedom Riders were even arrested during their struggle for equal rights. ...
Long and short board riders were still competing against each other in 1969. Some surfers are reluctant to give up their longboards because it was and still is well known that paddling and being able to catch more waves in poor quality surf was a lot harder with a shorter board that has less volume. In defense of the short board, the lighter, smaller board gave the rider the freedom to move more and change direction more rapidly on the wave. ... A surfers relationship with their home break is much like the relationship between the rider and their board. ...
After many days of pursuit without sign of trail or hope, Aragorn sees riders coming their way. The riders are men of Rohan and their leader is Eomer. ... The White Rider The story now returns to the three travelers hunting for their lost companions. ... Theoden is reluctant to show gratitude; he says this is because Gandalf almost always heralds bad news and asks for help. ... He decides that he will himself lead the riders of Rohan against Saruman. ...
The queen was an avid, skillful horse rider and a thrill seeker, an aspect of her personality that often terrified her council who feared for her life. ... However, because of political overlap on religion and pressure from her advisory, Elizabeth had to prioritize the affairs of the country against her beliefs as demonstrated in her reluctant approval of Mary's (Queen of Scots) execution for alleged involvement in the Babington plot (Thomas). ...
His decision to accompany Frodo on his quest is fuelled by this unwavering loyalty, "If you don't come back, sir, then I shan't, that's certain I am going with him, if he climbs to the moon; and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they"ll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with"{Book 1,123}. ... The little hobbit is a reluctant hero who proves that Good will always prevail. ...
This design made steering the velocipede somewhat awkward because the riders leg would constantly be hitting the front wheel as the rider was turning. ... Those who could physically ride it were often reluctant due to the high accident rate. ...
This boycott would probably be successful since 70% of the riders were black. ... Although press reports at the time focused on his inspiring oratory, King was actually a reluctant leader of a movement initiated by others." ...
With the quincentennial of Columbus's "discovery" of America upon us, it now is, perhaps more than ever, an appropriate time to reevaluate the actions of the European explorers who subjugated the Native American peoples and their civilizations. Undoubtedly the most glorified and heroically portrayed of these figures of the European conquest of the New World were the conquistadores, the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century. These men, under leaders such as Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro, nearly eliminated the Aztec and Inca peoples. Surely many of these soldiers w...