Regional director Jesus Teruel with two of the centres prisoners. Photograph: Paola de Grenet

From a distance, La Zarza re-educational centre, deep in the heart of the Murcian countryside, looks like any other jail high fences topped with rolled razor wire and a uniformed guard manning the gate. But a close inspection of the fences reveals gaps in the wire big enough for any agile teenager to get through, and inside there is a white horse, grazing in a small paddock. The children the prisoners, because this is a prison are allowed to ride the horse, but only when they have reached a certain stage in their development.

To the left children are playing on a five-a-side football pitch. Of 61 offenders, three are murderers, many have committed armed robbery and virtually all had drug problems when they arrived.

While Spains adult prisons are almost as overcrowded as Britains and similarly rife with discipline problems, youth detention is a different matter. Twenty-three years ago, a not-for-profit organisation, Diagrama, opened its first re-education centre in Spain. Now it runs 38 such centres and is responsible for virtually all of the Spanish youth custody system. Before, Spain locked up children in similar conditions to adults, and when children in custody reached the age of 18, they would automatically be transferred to adult jails. But in 1992, a law was passed requiring the juvenile justice system to operate according to international rules and standards on childrens rights. The understanding was that if children were going to be jailed, they would also have to be nurtured, educated and rehabilitated.

In Britain, meanwhile, detention centres for children go from controversy to controversy. Since 1990, 33 children under 18 in England and Wales have died in custody, 31 of whom killed themselves. In total, 291 inmates under 21 have died in detention in the same period; 264 of them took their own lives.

Diagrama has not had a single suicide in any of its centres since it began operating. The founder and current CEO is Rafael Cuadrado. A psychologist, he worked with children in the Spanish penal system, but became disillusioned with their treatment. Using his own money he bought the land La Zarza stands on and persuaded the authorities to let him run a centre using different methods. His staff say he works 24/7 and is always investigating new ways to improve the system.

The main difference between Spanish and British detention centres is philosophical. In Britain, the children tend to be regarded as inmates. Here, they are always children. In Britain, a good day is one without violence or disturbance. Here, a good day is one when the children have learned well and made progress. Perhaps the biggest practical difference is the level and nature of staffing. In Britain, training assistants are glorified guards (teachers go in to educate the children and are hired by the local authority); in Spain the staff who run the centres are called educators. British training assistants do not need qualifications; in Spain, educators all have degrees.

In Spains stifling afternoon heat, Diagrama regional director Jesus Teruel greets Ainhoa, the mother of one of the children, with kisses on both cheeks. Teruel is a tall, passionate man with the manic energy of a cartoon character. As he answers questions, his eyes and hands dart in different directions. Yes, of course he knows the names of all the children detained in the region, he says. Yes, of course he knows all the parents. If he didnt, he wouldnt be doing his job.

Ainhoa lives an hour away and visits once a week. In the UK, it is common for children to be locked up hundreds of miles from home, but Teruel says its important for children to be detained as close as possible to their family. Ainhoas son, Daniel, is 16 and has been here for four months. His offence is sexual harassment. Ainhoa was terrified when he was sentenced. He was on antidepressants and told her he would rather be dead than in prison. When he arrived, he was put on suicide watch. For several nights, an educator slept in the same room as him, with the door open. Now he is off medication and the suicidal thoughts have gone. Ainhoa says her son is getting discipline but also affection at La Zarza. Affection is a word we hear a lot.

Does she have any complaints about La Zarza? She thinks, then smiles. It takes him a while to answer the phone. Maybe they could get him quicker. She is allowed to call twice a day to speak to her son. In Britain, parents cannot call children in detention. Children are allowed to phone home, but only if they have credit. All their calls are made within sight and sound of other children and staff.

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Tough love: is this a model prison for children?

Riley Boyes - Novice Over Fences

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Hayley Cairns - Novice Over Fences

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President Obama is open to mending fences with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the White House said Tuesday.

Reids chief of staff, David Krone, unloaded on President Obama and the White House press office in comments published Tuesday, blaming them for Democrats' blow out loss inthe midterms.

If they do that, I doubt itll be published in The Washington Post, frankly, Earnest added.

The Post story featuring Krones comments appeared just minutes after Republicans seized control of the Senate.

The presidents approval rating is barely 40 percent, Krone said. What else more is there to say?

Krone also accused the White House of only providing lip service to working together on election strategy, and said administrative missteps like the botched rollout of ObamaCare had served as an anchor around Democratic candidates. He also said the White House was too protective of its donors.

We were never going to get on the same page, Krone said. We were beating our heads against the wall.

Reids press secretary than repeatedly re-tweeted tweets about the story, underscoring perceptions that the criticism was authorized by Reid himself.

But Earneston Thursdaythat Krone's comments did not actually reflect the true nature of the relationship that exists between President Obama and Sen. Reid.

And of signals that Reid himself had endorsed the criticism, Earnest said to go ask the you know, some staffers in Sen. Reids office about their opinion.

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White House: Obama ready to mend fences with Reid

Juan Lagares

Mets centerfielder Juan Lagares was at PS/MS 57 in East Harlem, NY earlier today. Lagares joined middle school students during gym class to play wiffleball and provided some hitting and outfield instructions. Lagares became the 10th Mets player in team history and the third outfielder to earn a Rawlings Gold Glove on Tuesday. He finished second among major league outfielders with 28 defensive runs saved last year. (Chris Kasprak/Mets)

Center fielder Juan Lagares doesnt have a problem with the Mets moving in Citi Fields fences.

I just want to do the same things I do and try to make the adjustment, the 25-year-old said during an appearance at P.S. 57 in Harlem Thursday, days after winning his first Gold Glove award.

The Mets are working on moving the right-center field fence in the clubs third alteration to the dimensions of Citi Field since 2009.

Lagares said playing in other, smaller National League parks will help him get used to the fences. He said he enjoys chasing down balls hit over his head, but that the adjustments wont change how he plays.

Lagares added that he hasnt been to Citi to see the renovations, and that hes only seen the changes via photos posted online.

Lagares said the right elbow he sprained in September feels better. He also said he hopes to start throwing and performing other baseball activities in a week. He planned to see a doctor for a checkup on the elbow in New York City Thursday.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ.

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Andrea Howland - Novice Over Fences

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Living Fences for Garden, Deer, and Poultry
I am creating a lot of living fences by harvesting greenwood from our mature trees. This I will use to keep poultry where I want them, deer out of my garden, and as medicinal browse for my...

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12:50 Fakenham 13:00 Musselburgh 13:10 Towcester 13:20 Fakenham 13:30 Musselburgh 13:40 Towcester 13:50 Fakenham 14:00 Musselburgh 14:10 Towcester 14:20 Fakenham 14:30 Musselburgh 14:40 Towcester 14:50 Fakenham 15:00 Musselburgh 15:10 Towcester 15:20 Fakenham 15:30 Musselburgh 15:40 Towcester 15:50 Fakenham 16:10 Towcester 16:35 Wolverhampton 17:10 Wolverhampton 17:40 Wolverhampton 18:10 Wolverhampton 18:40 Wolverhampton 19:10 Wolverhampton 19:40 Wolverhampton 20:10 Wolverhampton 12:55 Thurles 13:25 Thurles 13:55 Thurles 14:25 Thurles 14:55 Thurles 15:25 Thurles 15:55 Thurles 10:15 Vaal 10:45 Vaal 11:15 Vaal 11:45 Vaal 12:25 Vaal 13:05 Vaal 13:45 Vaal 14:25 Vaal 15:00 Vaal 14:45 Meydan 15:20 Meydan 15:55 Meydan 16:30 Meydan 17:05 Meydan 17:40 Meydan 17:15 Finger Lakes 17:20 Aqueduct 17:40 Churchill Downs 17:45 Finger Lakes 17:49 Aqueduct 18:08 Churchill Downs 18:15 Finger Lakes 18:18 Aqueduct 18:36 Churchill Downs 18:45 Finger Lakes 18:47 Aqueduct 19:05 Churchill Downs 19:15 Finger Lakes 19:16 Aqueduct 19:34 Churchill Downs 19:45 Hawthorne 19:45 Aqueduct 19:45 Finger Lakes 20:04 Churchill Downs 20:14 Aqueduct 20:15 Hawthorne 20:15 Finger Lakes 20:34 Churchill Downs 20:43 Aqueduct 20:45 Finger Lakes 20:45 Hawthorne 21:04 Churchill Downs 21:12 Aqueduct 21:15 Hawthorne 21:34 Churchill Downs 21:45 Hawthorne 22:03 Churchill Downs 22:15 Hawthorne 22:45 Hawthorne 23:00 Penn National 23:15 Hawthorne 23:27 Penn National 23:40 Evangeline Downs 23:45 Hawthorne 23:50 Delta Downs 23:54 Penn National 00:00 Charles Town 00:05 Evangeline Downs 00:17 Delta Downs 00:22 Penn National 00:29 Charles Town 00:30 Evangeline Downs 00:45 Delta Downs 00:49 Penn National 00:55 Evangeline Downs 00:59 Charles Town 01:00 Remington Park 01:13 Delta Downs 01:16 Penn National 01:20 Evangeline Downs 01:23 Charles Town 01:28 Remington Park 01:41 Delta Downs 01:43 Penn National 01:45 Evangeline Downs 01:50 Charles Town 01:56 Remington Park 02:09 Delta Downs 02:10 Penn National 02:10 Evangeline Downs 02:17 Charles Town 02:24 Remington Park 02:35 Evangeline Downs 02:37 Delta Downs 02:37 Penn National 02:44 Charles Town 02:52 Remington Park 03:00 Evangeline Downs 03:05 Delta Downs 03:11 Charles Town 03:20 Remington Park 03:33 Delta Downs 03:38 Charles Town 03:48 Remington Park 04:00 Delta Downs 04:16 Remington Park 04:25 Delta Downs 04:44 Remington Park Fakenham Musselburgh Towcester Wolverhampton Thurles Vaal Meydan Aqueduct Charles Town Churchill Downs Delta Downs Evangeline Downs Finger Lakes Hawthorne Penn National Remington Park Fakenham Musselburgh Towcester Wolverhampton Thurles Vaal Meydan Aqueduct Charles Town Churchill Downs Delta Downs Evangeline Downs Finger Lakes Hawthorne Penn National Remington Park

Aintree. Click here to bet.

Peter Bowen is eyeing the December 6 feature as a likely starting point with the Crabbie's Grand National the plan if he takes to the unique fences.

The nine-year-old demonstrated his staying credentials with victory in the Scottish National in April, springing a 40-1 shock as he held off the 2013 victor Godsmejudge by a length and a half.

Bowen said: "He's going well and he'll probably have a spin around the National fences in the Becher Chase next month.

"The plan is to go for that race and then we'll see if he takes to the fences.

"If he does, we'll probably then give him a break and maybe have a run over hurdles before going for the National.

"I think he should like the fences, he jumps and he showed he stays at Ayr.

"He's done well over the summer and is back in full work with us."

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Al Co set for Becher test

Katherine Schmidt and Samantha Kraus Named SEC Riders of the Month Gamecocks sweep hunt seat awards for October Nov. 5, 2014 South Carolina senior Katherine Schmidt was named SEC Rider of the Month in equitation over fences for the month of October. In the Oct. 31 win over Texas A&M, Schmidt posted a career-high score of 93.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - University of South Carolina senior Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) and junior Samantha Kraus (equitation on the flat) were both named SEC Riders of the Month for October, it was announced today. This is Schmidt's fourth career SEC Rider of the Month honor, while Kraus received the conference award for the first time.

Because the conference does not award a Rider of the Month for September, riders' individual statistics were counted for October.

In equitation over fences, Schmidt went 4-0 in September and October with two MVPs to earn her fourth career SEC Rider of the Month award. Schmidt went 3-0 in the jumping against SEC opponents, and posted back-to-back scores above 90 for the first time in her career.

In equitation on the flat, Kraus went 4-0 in September and October with one MVP, giving her the team's best flat record this season. She won her first career flat MVP against No. 1 Georgia on Oct. 3, posting an event-high score (84) to win her point.

South Carolina returns to action on Friday, when the Gamecocks travel to face Fresno State. Friday's meet against the Bulldogs will begin at 4 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network. Fans can watch the meet live for free online.

Friday's video stream: http://campusinsiders.com/network/mw/live/equestrian-south-carolina-at-fresno-state

South Carolina - SEC Riders of the Month (All-Time) October 2014 - Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) October 2014 - Samantha Kraus (equitation on the flat) March 2014 - Jordan Brown (reining) March 2014 - Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) February 2014 - Johnna Letchworth (horsemanship) February 2014 - Alexa Anthony (equitation over fences) November 2013 - Layla Choate (reining) October 2013 - Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) October 2013 - Johnna Letchworth (reining) March 2013 - Katherine Schmidt (equitation over fences) February 2013 - Johnna Letchworth (horsemanship) November 2012 - Amber Henter (equitation over fences) November 2012 - Kelsey Urban (horsemanship)

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W. Equestrian. Katherine Schmidt and Samantha Kraus Named SEC Riders of the Month

Minecraft Survival Ep 7! Getting Ready To Build Fences and Gates!
Thanks For Watching! Please follow us on Google + - https://plus.google.com/114063199666142784004/posts Please follow us on INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/themalweb Want To Send Us Mail ...

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