Santiago Thomas, barn manager at Giant City Stables, tightens the straps on Zena’s bridle Saturday before the annual Sweethearts of the Saddle Derby Day Gala at Carterville Community Center. Thomas, a native of Cherán, Mexico, who lives in Cobden, has been working with the horses for six years and said his favorite part of his job is riding them. “A lot of people like it and a lot of people don’t,” Thomas said. “A lot of people say it feels really bumpy, but if you relax your whole body, you enjoy it more because you don’t feel all the movements.” — May 7, 2016, Carterville, Ill.