So, as an equestrian, I think everyone could argue that the harder you try to keep you horse out of trouble or looking good, the harder it is. How many of you have a pasture pony that you do nothing to and looks PERFECT, yet if you were to turn your show horse out in a pasture he would immediately look like a mouse? Or why is that horses always get injured right before a competition? I realize their work "increases", but no really. Training is just as intense during the prep work, yet right before something really big, say, the Olympics, the horse gets injured? Look at the Olympic team. You always hear people who are short listed and then the horse gets an absess, has some random bump on his leg, or oops, he slid in the pasture. What are the odds? Or how about my friend (not american)who was preparing for the Olympics and had two horses qualified. 3 months before it and both needed surgery! I think we call this Murpheys Law!