We begin today’s post, on the final day of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, with a photograph:

Now, if that doesn’t say it all about sportsmanship, excellence, and the power of the human spirit to overcome the obstacles life throws at you, I don’t know what does.

As I’ve mentioned previously, this WEG is the first time that able-bodied equestrians and those with physical disabilities have competed at the same international championships. Para-equestrians, including America’s own Rebecca Hart (who finished fourteenth in yesterday’s Grade II Freestyle), have commented on the excitement of riding alongside the likes of jumping individual gold medalist Phillipe Le Jeune of Belgium or dressage individual gold medalist Edward Gal. The experience must be one of empowerment and validation