"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials"

The photo I'm using as a temporary backdrop, like the one above, is from The Big Picture's collection of photographs from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. You can see the others here. They're terrific and beautiful and astonishing, and what a contrast between the tessellations of the opening ceremonies and the faces of the children in The Big Picture's last photo. Full of hope, bless them — may they go from strength to strength.

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Olympic equestrian events trivia, from the 2007 General Regulations of the FEI [governing body for international equestrian sports]:

CHAPTER VI
HORSES
Article 138 - AGE OF HORSES
1. Horses entered for Olympic Games and FEI World Championships in the Olympic Disciplines for Dressage and Eventing must be at least eight years of age and for Jumping they must be at least 9 years years of age.

2. Horses entered in FEI World Championships in non-Olympic Disciplines, FEI Regional Games, FEI Continental Championships, FEI World Cups, CIOs and CIs must be at least 6 years of age unless otherwise stated in the Sport Rules.

I think of this whenever the subject of thoroughbred racing comes up.