It almost happened to me several years ago. The ride was the first
championship ride. I knew my horse was lame and wouldn't be able to start,
but since my mother was going and riding, I took him anyway. Vets didn't
pass him, and I immediately told ride manager. She said she would send me a
refund in a week or so. I made sure she knew my name and had correct
address. I went on and worked the ride. P & R, vet secretary, you name it,
stayed up till 3 am! They didn't have much help and judging by the problems
I had getting my money back, I would say it had something to do with the ride
manager.
After about two weeks I wrote the ride manager. I had already heard from 2
or 3 people that couldn't go, and sent her a vet's report on their horses.
So my letter was a bit rough. She attempted to call me and I wasn't at home.
I sent another very to the point letter (read rude!). Telling her that I
informed her of the horses lameness, the vets wouldn't let him start, that
she had in writing that if you couldn't ride you would receive a full refund,
that this was considered detrimental to the sport, etc., etc. I finally got
a check, minus $10 bucks she said for the vets checking my horse. I had no
problem with that. Never got my horse vet checked for less, even though I
helped the ride. And a nasty letter from her. I never bothered to answer
her letter. I heard that several people never got a refund. And the other
person that did, told me she sort of sucked up to her to get her money back.
I would find out what the policy for this ride was concerning refunds.
Find out if they won't refund, if you can apply it towards next year. If all
is still refused, I wouldn't go back to that ride, and would inform my
friends about it! Word of mouth usually straightens things out. I wouldn't
go to a ride that required pre-entry and then wouldn't refund at least part
of my money if something came up and I couldn't go.
Hope this helps!
Nina Gibson