If there was a gold medal for an Olympic supporting role, Hong Kong would deserve to win it. Hosting the equestrian competition in some ways stood out from all the organisational challenges Beijing took on by hosting the Games. The fact that it involved priceless equine athletes as well as the riders and their equipment is what set it apart most. Without an equestrian tradition to fall back on, the Games organisers handed Hong Kong a tough assignment.
Beijing's faith has been vindicated. Any anxiety about meeting the expectations of competitors and officials from the elite international equestrian circuits had faded long before the final medals were awarded on Thursday night. The Equestrian Company and the Jockey Club are to be congratulated. They set themselves demanding standards - and met them.
Hong Kong was asked relatively late in the day to act as host because of quarantine concerns in the mainland. In the build-up to the Games, there was talk of horses becoming distressed in Hong Kong's hot and humid summer climate, and even of teams pulling out. Happily it all came to nothing. Overall, the hosting of the equestrian events was a great success. Its hallmarks were efficiency and friendliness. Competitors and officials alike were positive about the facilities and organisation.
The people of Hong Kong also made a valuable contribution. Equestrianism is not a familiar sport here. For most spectators, it was their first experience of it. After an uncertain start, they seemed to embrace it. On the first day, many found the rather technical dressage competition boring, with some leaving early. But as the event went on, people enjoyed the eventing and the opportunity it offered to hike around the course in the countryside. Enthusiasm for showjumping, the most exciting of equestrian events, helped make the final night memorable.
That said, the competition ended on a sour note, with four horses testing positive for a drug that relieves pain and heightens sensitivity - both artificial performance aids. They included one of the bronze medallists in the team event. These results are subject to confirmation by tests on a second sample. If they are also positive, it will be a big blow to the sport. Four doping cases also marred the equestrian events at the 2004 Athens Games.
There is a need for the equestrian world to take a tougher line on the use of drugs. There is no out-of-competition testing, something many other sports have adopted. This should change. One reason cited for the omission is the added cost to an already expensive pastime. But the fact that there is a lot of money involved surely is reason for the sport to clean up its act and strive for fair, drug-free competition. There may be some confusion over the use of certain treatments for horses. But if a substance is banned it must not be used. And those who fail to comply should expect punishment to follow.