So, I spent a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, not to mention money, to finally earn my bronze medal. As soon as the last score was posted on USDF, I sent in my application and my $25. And, what did I receive in the mail today??? A certificate and letter telling me I can purchase, for another $25, a miniature replica of my medal. What?!?! Do we not receive an actual medal anymore? (Did we ever?) We spend more and more and get less and less.
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I don’t know nothin’ about no medals but
"Well Done , You "
That is a great accomplishment. Congratulations!
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I think they wait to mail out the actual medals after the awards dinner at the convention in December, in case you want to receive it in person. At least, that’s what they did pre-COVID.
The miniature medal is a lapel pin to wear on your show jacket, and it has always been extra.
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It’s been that way for as long as I can remember. The additional $25 is for your lapel pin.
As far as I’m concerned, USEF/USDF have lost many incentives for membership over the years, especially for adult amateurs. It seems all they are interested in is more money for whatever is being promoted at the time.
The regional Championships have become so expensive many competitors have been squeezed out. The high cost is not due to show organizers but regional requirements for judges, facilities, awards, etc piled on top of the ever rising show fees! It’s crazy.
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I believe they were referring to the lapel pin. But, nowhere in the letter does it say that there is a real medal waiting for me. Just that I can send in a picture for the yearbook and buy the lapel pin. They should at least mention it. But now I feel better.
I am very proud of this accomplishment. My horse is awesome and I’ve worked very (very) hard. I earned my first score in 2003, so it took a long time to get here. The medal may be a stupid little thing but it means a lot to me.
I knew COTH would have the answer!
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Way to go! Congratulations!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! It is a real achievement and you definitely should be quite proud of yourself and horse!
Congrats, OP!
You should be proud, congrats!
There’s nothing stupid about it. Congratulations on a real accomplishment.
Congrats! I didn’t make my goal of my Bronze this year due to limited showing but I’m going for it next year so I know what an accomplishment this is!
LetItBe
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Congratulations!!
I got mine in the mail. You’ll get yours as well. If in doubt, call USDF.
Congratulations!
I earned mine last year and wondered the same after the certificate came in the mail by itself but sure enough my actual medal arrived after the award ceremony so you are probably looking at very end of this year or early next year!
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Why waste money on that piece of paper? I wonder how much it cost? $5 each including postage? Take that cost off the price of the application and just send an email.
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On a related note, can anyone link to the info & deadlines about submitting a photo for the USDF Connection yearbook for the medal recipients? I remember there’s a release form for the photographer.
I’ve looked in different areas of the pulldown menus on the USDF website (publications, awards, competition ) and haven’t found it yet.
Thanks !
On the Awards pge, under Forms & Documents, under Performance Awards:
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Congratulations on your medal! It is no small achievement for us DIY types!
From your screen name, I’m wondering if you got your scores on a QH? I just got my first two scores on an appendix mare and would love to complete my bronze on her even though I have a purpose-bred WB coming up as well.
I didn’t. Technically, I got all my scores this year on my current KWPN. But I consider all of my horses as contributing. I got my first level scores on a Russian Warmblood and my second level scores on a Friesian/ASB (Georgian Grande). I originally showed AQHA (went to Congress and everything) and started dressage on a QH but then switched breeds. I’ve had some very capable QHs but it just never worked out to continue in dressage with them. Good luck!
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Congrats!!!
