The Benefits of Second Chances
By Sparks
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
Regina, Saskatchewan
August 21, 2008 11:31am CST
Equestrian Show Jumping in Canada is a national sport, that rewards Canadian as well as International riders with the largest 'purses' in the sport in the world. Spruce Meadows in Alberta hosts world class competitions all the time.
Our Equestrian Team has not won a medal at the Olympics since 1978.
Over the past two days all that has changed. Our own 'Captain Canada', Ian Millar rode his team to victory in the team competition yesterday for the Silver Medal. Ian has competed in 9 Olympics and will be back for the 2012 games in Britain. He is probably most famous for his long time mount, Big Ben.
But the BIG story was Eric LeMans. He has been an anchor member of Team Canada for many years. The pressure got him and he began using cocaine. He was banned from the last two Olympics by the IOC which hurt our team greatly during the last two Olympics.
But Canadians don't abandon their own in times of trouble. They believe in second chances. They believe in their friends. His team members kept Eric involved in the sport and one day he found HIS horse. The horse that would ride him back into the spotlight of the sport and make them both Olympic champions.
Today, Eric LeMans on his little horse Hickstead - that everyone said was too small to be a first class jumper, carried Eric to a GOLD medal in the Individual Jumping competition.
Canada's faith in one of it's own was vindicated in a world spotlight. Eric's personal, as well as professional triumph, was a joy to behold. His quiet confidence, his handling of his incredibly talented horse, and the support of his team put our country front and center once again in a sport that demands highly developed skills for both horse and rider, and Eric firmly back at the front of that sport for years to come. As one pundit put it "Out of second chances come great things". Eric proved that today.
Every country has it's heros. A lot of them just love to see those heros come to grief. Not Canada. When our heros fall, we Canadians reach down and lift them back up again. WE believe in second chances.
Do you?
3 people like this
8 responses
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Wow what a story, and yes I do believe in second chances, especially if that person is seen to be trying really hard to do better or get it right the second time round. He sure had some good friends who believed in him, as well as his country.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
22 Aug 08
We Canadians are a very forgiving lot! LOL
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
21 Aug 08
Hi sparky,
Well done to your country's team and yes I do believe that when someone as fallen he should be picked up and helped and give them another chance, all too often they make a mistake are comdem and their chances are gone for ever. Well lets hope we all do well in the Olympics what ever the event. A big hugs to you.
Tamara
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
21 Aug 08
I like the way you think sweets. Everyone makes mistakes. Why should we expect second chances for ourselves if we don't give them to others? I know so many people like that, and I just don't get it. So I'm glad to read your response. Big hugs to you too!
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I certainly do. And that is a terrific thing that the young man in question had so many supporters. I think it is wonderful and his comback makes it more worth while knowing he had his friend and comrades behind him cheering him on.
Congrats to him and Canada getting the siver.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
21 Aug 08
LOL - Our Team got the silver, but Eric himself got a Gold. Even still, it's a real achievement for everyone and bodes well for future Olympics. And yes moon - I believe you believe in second chances. Life would be so meaningless without them I think. No one is perfect and everyone deserves the chance to move beyond their mistakes. Hugs.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
21 Aug 08
Hi spark,
[i]That is the greatest attitude for you there, not as a team and once Country, you will not stop believing and I know that is a great motivation and inspiration already for a player or a rider!
In life, I do believe also in second chance but sad to say, not I am not applying it in all aspects of my relationship to people! I have this "bad" side also that when I am hurt, I prefer to forget the person![/i]
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
21 Aug 08
I can understand that cappy. But I just look at my own life and see where second chances were given to me, and I'm always open to giving them to others. But if they hurt me again and again, then it's over. I don't have time to waste on people who are so DUMB, they can't learn from their mistakes or simply choose not to. That is such a waste of a life and I don't believe in wasting what time I have here. Hugs sweets.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
22 Aug 08
Short and too the point.I like that. Welcome to the lot happysnow.
@jerzgirl (9327)
• United States
22 Aug 08
When I first read the title of this discussion, I thought you were referring to recent myLot events - I pounced on it to wax exuberant over that very thing. 
Imagine my surprise....
I'm afraid my knowledge of horses, Canadian or otherwise, especially with regard to competition, leaves me in the dark. But, regardless, I'm all for second chances!! They teach us, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." But, all too often, that second effort is denied. So, if your E-Team has been given a second chance, I say HURRAH!!! 
And, regarding my original assumption.....I still say HURRAH!!!
Imagine my surprise.... I'm afraid my knowledge of horses, Canadian or otherwise, especially with regard to competition, leaves me in the dark. But, regardless, I'm all for second chances!! They teach us, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." But, all too often, that second effort is denied. So, if your E-Team has been given a second chance, I say HURRAH!!!
And, regarding my original assumption.....I still say HURRAH!!!1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
22 Aug 08
Wel HURRAH to you too jerz! LOL I just may oblige you yet.....(shhhh, don't want to stir the pot.)
1 person likes this
@devylan (695)
• United States
25 Aug 08
I do believe in second chances. I think it is a wonderful ideal to maintain. However, on a more personal level, I have a friend who has given "second" chances time and time again, only to be back stabbed. I think that sometimes people who want to give second chances need to realize that certain other people have already been given a second chance by someone else and threw it away. I don't want to take away from the glory of your country's victory in this sport, or of the victory personally and socially for Eric LeMans, because that is wonderful, and he sounds like he completely deserved his second chance. I just wish people who are given second chances would realize that they are very lucky to have the opportunity to prove themselves again and that they should not waste it. This is not the case with this individual, however, and I'm so happy for him and your country.
