Just finished watching Eric Lamze win personal gold at the 2008 Olympics. What an exciting jump off. What an inspiration to see someone who has overcome a less than supportive youth and some antics of his own to become one of our best athletes. And what a horse he has in Hickstead. And all this after being a part of our Silver win in the Show Jumping Team event.
The Globe & Mail has this quote:
“There’ve been some difficult times,” he said. “But when you finally get here, you think about the moments you’re not proud of, that didn’t go well in your life, and it shows anyone can come back. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
Now Canada has a gold medal in this event. We are proud too.
He says he is a great example of why you should never give up on people who make mistakes. In a sport that is often populated by privileged young people it is a story of success coming to an underdog with many personal challenges to overcome on the way.
Isn’t it nice when we see someone overcome big odds and turn their lives into something wonderful and special? And for me it is even more special because of the help of a horse (or horses). Horses were a big part of my own less than easy childhood and many times my little pinto mare was the bright light in a dull day.
A big congratulations to Eric and Hickstead.