The horse riding competition in the modern pentathlon is different from other equestrian events because competitors are randomly paired with their horses in the hour preceding the event. The idea, as conceived by modern pentathlon as well as modern Olympics founder Baron Pierre de Coubertion, was that during war a soldier would not always have his pick of horses and would have to adapt to the circumstances.

Patton was a skilled rider. With an unfamiliar horse, he cleared all the obstacles in the event cleanly thereby registering one of only three perfect scores. In 1912, tie-breakers were based on time, and Patton thus finished third in the event.

(Photo courtesy of Patton Museum)