You drew your horse's name out of a hat 10 minutes before the class. That's entertaining when you're a reckless young college sophomore and have been riding since you were 6.
But WP went over the line by bringing a rank half-broke mare and putting her into the hat. I drew her for a jumping class. She was a Very. Bad. Actor. First sight of her, she was dancing around the warmup paddock on her hind legs with two men hanging off her bridle.
We had a bit of a discussion in the warmup circle, and she decided that it was easier just to mind me - but she attempted to run away throughout the course. Never mind equitation- safety seat, hands high, float her teeth on landing. We made it around the course with no faults and took fourth place.
But I found out later I was the only rider who had stayed on her back - and many of the teams had novice riders. It really bordered on criminal negligence to bring a horse like that to a collegiate show.
Never had the same respect for West Point after that.
They are taught to WIN - not get a participation trophy.