There are few things as exciting as the thrill of Olympic competition. For those of us who have a passion for horses, the equine events can be particularly exciting. The other day I found myself cringing in visible anguish as one of the jumpers knocked a pole to the ground on their last jump.

As many of us experience the highs and lows of competition at this level vicariously through the television, I find it particularly disturbing and disappointing to read stories such as the one I viewed earlier regarding an illegal substance found in some of the Olympic sport horses - capsaicin. The same ingredient that gives chili peppers their heat, it is presumed to be used in jumping events to make horses' skin particularly sensitive to touch - thereby making them loathe to make contact with a pole. Aside from the fact that this substance is banned in competition and the riders and their horses it was discovered in were disqualified, I find it particularly shameful the lengths to which some will go to obtain first place. It seems that more and more it has become less about natural gifting and talent and more about having the edge on your opponents - often as the result of unnatural components.

It happens outside of the equine sporting industry of course - steroids in baseball and other professional sports - but it grieves my heart the most when used in this forum. It happens in race horses, it's been done to Tennessee Walking Horses, and now it's even bled into the jumpers at the Olympics. These alterations are different from the supplements many of us give our horses to improve performance or health - I give Tuff a daily dose of a joint supplement consisting of glucosamine and MSM. And that is simply to make him more comfortable. Yet even that discomfort which warrants the use of a joint supplement was brought on by a human's decision to race him into the ground beyond what he was naturally capable of.

It makes me wonder at what point we lost the pure and simple joy in an honestly-earned victory. Caught in the grips of fierce competition, I suppose it is easy to lose sight of the natural gifts our horses share with us and take pride in those accomplishments. I speak easily from this vantage point not just because I am the owner of a horse who will no longer spend time winning ribbons in the heat of competition, but because I've witnessed the simple and sweet victories that can be obtained in a horse overcoming near-death and not only surviving, but thriving. I've seen the absolute pride glow from the face of an owner who clapped her hands and exclaimed with delight when her young mare had a "good day" with her dressage trainer. And my eyes have filled with tears while observing the unadulterated joy of a child learning to ride for the first time.

I am as proud as anyone of the accomplishments that so many professional competitors have made astride their horses...but only when done so naturally. Horses grace us with their natural beauty and talent and that is a gift in and of itself. Working with rescue has taught me to truly appreciate these small victories...and I hope I always will.