Amateur Status Reclassification

[Libera]

I have been showing Open in the past, because I was receiving money to ride other people’s horses.

I haven’t done any outside training for a long time, and I would like to get my amateur status back. I was reading the USEF website and it states I need to send in a notarized letter and a reclassification fee of $50. So far so good.

But then it says I need two notarized letters from USEF senior members… What if I don’t know anyone that is a member and could/would write me such a letter?

We have just moved to a new state and I don’t know very many horse people here yet, the ones I do know are not USEF members. I don’t want to ask just anyone because it has to be an original (not email/fax/copy) AND it has to be notarized… that is a lot to ask from mere acquaintances

Is there any chance they would accept letters from non-members?

[Halt_Near_X]

Can you reach out to someone in the state you moved from, where you have more solid contacts? They are the ones would would have seen you disengage from professional activities for the required time period and can vouch for that anyway.

[Janet]

I think the point is that it has to be someone who knew you in the time period when you were abstaining from professional activities.

So people form the state you just LEFT would be more appropriate.

[CLB15]

I went through the process last year to reinstate my AA status. I had initially looked into it a few years ago and was concerned with the letter part since I was not taking regular lessons and had moved to a boarding at barn with no USEF members before being eligible to apply for AA reinstatement. When I contacted USEF to ask about it they stated that there was no other way to fulfill the letters requirement. I’m my case I ended up going back to people who knew me when I worked at a stable and after- one pro and one AA, and had them do my letters. They do need to be notarized and for my letter writers i offered to cover the notary fees but ended up not having to for either.

[Displaced_Yankee]

I went through this a few years ago as well. I would suggest going to any former clients in your old state and asking them for the letter.

And with all the free video conference apps that are out there now, I know some people who have had documents notarized remotely. I would offer to cover any notary fees and postage for mailing the letter to you.

[Libera]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like I will have to find some people back in CA… Not many of my clients were USEF members to begin with, mostly breeders that do not show. My old trainer might be able to but he is super busy, so not holding my breath on that either, what with the notarizing it etc.

This is such a pain in the rear!