Changing Status Professional --> Amateur

[HorseGal500]

Does any former professional have experience changing their USEF status back to amateur? I stopped teaching October 2017 and since then have only worked at my small private boarding operation at home (just daily horse care), helped manage horse shows, and judged the odd non-rated show. My riding has pretty much taken a hiatus these last few years besides the occasional spurt (and I definitely have barely shown in general, let alone a USEF recognized show), but last fall I started leasing a nice jumper who I would love to start showing, and an amateur status would open up classes (I’m looking to stay around 1.10m). I really have not made much of a name for myself in general (am one of those, definitely not setting the world on fire, but legally a professional), and would love to get back in the show ring on my own guy.

On the other hand, changing my status back would also put a restriction on other aspects. A lot of my friends are professionals, so keeping my status would allow me to be available to them if they ever needed a fill-in instructor or heaven forbid got hurt/really busy and needed training horses ridden. And, horse could get hurt tomorrow (please do not) and there goes my hope to show my personal horse and then no point in being an amateur. Or, life could happen another way and my horse show budget could be gone. Also, the process to go back to being an amateur sounds annoying.

What do you all suggest? Would love to hear from those who have made the change/considered making the change.

ETA: I’m still not planning on setting the world on fire with my personal showing, just want to enjoy it.

[Backstage]

Giving up your amateur status to be return to the professional ranks is easy. Regaining the amateur status is much more time consuming/difficult. But you’ve already done that work - having not engaged in any professional activities since October 2017.

As for helping friends, it doesn’t sound like its a regular occurrence if you haven’t had to cover in almost 1.5 years. If the situation does arise, you can always teach/ride as a favour, without remuneration, and maintain your amateur status. If a more intensive opportunity arises (i.e. friend breaks leg and wants you to fill in for 6 months for remuneration), you can give up the amateur status.

[gottagrey]

are you currently a member of USEF? If not how long ago was it that you were a member? Have you ever declared yourself as a professional with USEF and shown rated shows? If so then you need to do the formal process. If you haven’t declared yourself as a professional with USEF and haven’t been a member since your hiataus, I’d just wait and rejoin when you actually start showing at USEF recognized/rated shows. That will give you some time to decide what you want to do and if the opportunities for you to be a pro arise.

[HorseGal500]

@Backstage

Giving up your amateur status to be return to the professional ranks is easy. Regaining the amateur status is much more time consuming/difficult. But you’ve already done that work - having not engaged in any professional activities since October 2017.

As for helping friends, it doesn’t sound like its a regular occurrence if you haven’t had to cover in almost 1.5 years. If the situation does arise, you can always teach/ride as a favour, without remuneration, and maintain your amateur status. If a more intensive opportunity arises (i.e. friend breaks leg and wants you to fill in for 6 months for remuneration), you can give up the amateur status.

Very true - it would be super simple to reclaim professional status before a show.

@gottagrey

are you currently a member of USEF? If not how long ago was it that you were a member? Have you ever declared yourself as a professional with USEF and shown rated shows? If so then you need to do the formal process. If you haven’t declared yourself as a professional with USEF and haven’t been a member since your hiataus, I’d just wait and rejoin when you actually start showing at USEF recognized/rated shows. That will give you some time to decide what you want to do and if the opportunities for you to be a pro arise.

Not currently; I did not renew for 2018. And yes, I am a USEF-declared professional. First recognized show on the calendar is for May, and the renewal process requires submitting notarized letters from other members and having the status reviewed by the Hearing Committee, so I’m not sure how long the process will take. I can still show during that time, just not in amateur classes (assuming I would be considered an active member during this period). Definitely not a hard or terrible process, just something time consuming to add to the list of 75983745 other things to do :lol:

[Xctrygirl]

@HorseGal500

Very true - it would be super simple to reclaim professional status before a show.

Not currently; I did not renew for 2018. And yes, I am a USEF-declared professional. First recognized show on the calendar is for May, and the renewal process requires submitting notarized letters from other professionals and having the status reviewed by the Hearing Committee, so I’m not sure how long the process will take. I can still show during that time, just not in amateur classes (assuming I would be considered an active member during this period). Definitely not a hard or terrible process, just something time consuming to add to the list of 75983745 other things to do :lol:

Ok I know for a fact one thing in here is incorrect.

Guide to reclassifying is here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/pz_dZpaaF8E/amateur-reclassification

You only need 2 letters from other adult USEF members. NOT professionals. It can just be friends of yours.

Em

[HorseGal500]

@Xctrygirl

Ok I know for a fact one thing in here is incorrect.

Guide to reclassifying is here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/pz_dZpaaF8E/amateur-reclassification

You only need 2 letters from other adult USEF members. NOT professionals. It can just be friends of yours.

Em

Whoops - thanks! Correctly read/understood, incorrectly reiterated

[SonnysMom]

@HorseGal500

Very true - it would be super simple to reclaim professional status before a show.

Not currently; I did not renew for 2018. And yes, I am a USEF-declared professional. First recognized show on the calendar is for May, and the renewal process requires submitting notarized letters from other members and having the status reviewed by the Hearing Committee, so I’m not sure how long the process will take. I can still show during that time, just not in amateur classes (assuming I would be considered an active member during this period). Definitely not a hard or terrible process, just something time consuming to add to the list of 75983745 other things to do :lol:

In the document in the link it says:

Please be advised that the typical wait time from when the Federation receives your completed request to when you receive the written ruling is between 3-5 weeks. Be sure to plan accordingly when submitting your documentation as we may not be able to accommodate last minute requests.

If you get the paperwork submitted quickly and depending on when in May the show is you have a good chance of having a response by then- assuming their timeline actually follows the timeline they state.

[Magics_Mom]

It took my boyfriend 2 months of a wait time from when he turned in the paperwork until they had the hearing. Then they emailed him the approval and he had to answer the email = then they sent it in writing and then the new card.

[flexion]

I did it a few years ago, the application was simple and I used a family member for one of my letters. When they received everything they emailed me and said it would be 3-4 weeks. It actually took exactly 8 weeks. After 6 weeks I emailed for an update and was told they didn’t even have the next committee meeting scheduled yet. I think I just got super unlucky with their schedule. 8/10 experience, would do again.

Edit: It was more than worth it for the chance to show on the weekends. If I had stayed pro then I simply would not have been able to show at all as open classes in my greenie’s height range were not offered on the weekends.

[HorseGal500]

@flexion

I did it a few years ago, the application was simple and I used a family member for one of my letters. When they received everything they emailed me and said it would be 3-4 weeks. It actually took exactly 8 weeks. After 6 weeks I emailed for an update and was told they didn’t even have the next committee meeting scheduled yet. I think I just got super unlucky with their schedule. 8/10 experience, would do again.

Edit: It was more than worth it for the chance to show on the weekends. If I had stayed pro then I simply would not have been able to show at all as open classes in my greenie’s height range were not offered on the weekends.

THANK YOU. This is the exact response I was hoping to receive. Magics Mom, thank you as well. I guess I am getting started on the process ASAP if it typically takes two months.

[gottagrey]

@HorseGal500

Very true - it would be super simple to reclaim professional status before a show.

Not currently; I did not renew for 2018. And yes, I am a USEF-declared professional. First recognized show on the calendar is for May, and the renewal process requires submitting notarized letters from other members and having the status reviewed by the Hearing Committee, so I’m not sure how long the process will take. I can still show during that time, just not in amateur classes (assuming I would be considered an active member during this period). Definitely not a hard or terrible process, just something time consuming to add to the list of 75983745 other things to do :lol:

yep its more time than anything… and it is nice to have that in writing and in public that you’ve gotten your Ammy status back just in case someone sees you showing and doesn’t know that you’ve gone thru the official process.