Cynthia Collins wrote this up. I think if everyone contacted the members multiple ways, maybe they might listen to the people paying the majority of fees. Either copy and paste, or add you own personal story.
I tried posting this once with the emails I pulled off of the USDF site, but it wouldn’t post, so I’ll do this and then try posting the emails. I’m not doing anything nefarious. They are all on the ESEF site under the committee.
Alright members, it’s time for the BIG PUSH to the USEF Dressage Sport Committee asking them to respect the wishes of the USDF BOG vote to rescind USEF Rule 129.9
Email, Facebook message, etc. the following members. Do it daily if you can as the USEF meeting starts next week.
Start emailing them with your stories. January is the first possibility of meeting at the USEF Convention.
Here’s our letter, you can copy and paste or write your own.
To the Dressage Sport Committee,
We’re writing to let you know that many, many members of USDF and USEF, do not agree with the changing of Rule DR129.9 requiring a minimum score of 63% rather than the 60% at the highest test of the level, in order to ride a freestyle at a regular show, nor do we agree with the way it was changed.
We freestyle riders have have 2 reasons that we do not agree with this Rule change.
1.) According to USDF, a score of 60% is required in order to earn USDF Medals, Regional qualifying at most levels for Amateurs, and to qualify for Year end freestyle awards. That is the score USDF has set as “Satisfactory”. Since USDF has established 60% as a score to reward riders, then it would imply that this same score of 60% would be sufficient to ride a freestyle. Changing the score to 63%, at the highest test, seems unreasonable and unnecessary.
Also, for Amateur and Juniors, the scores required to qualify at regular tests for Regional Championships are lower than this new score required to ride a freestyle. That really seems unfair to the largest dressage population, the amateurs. If these scores show enough proficiency to qualify for Championships, then why would a higher score be required just to ride a freestyle at a regular show?
USDF stated, “a rider is expected to be more technically proficient to ride a freestyle” But by USDF standards, the old score of 60% at the highest level, IS sufficient.
We understand a freestyle is a technical test ridden to music. However, the only way a freestyle rider is going to learn to adjust and ride a good freestyle, is by riding in the arena and getting the judge’s feedback. By not allowing riders to prove their proficiency by achieving a 60%, a satisfactory score according to USDF, at the highest test of the level, you are excluding many of your base riders from having an opportunity and reward of riding a freestyle.
2.) This rule change was put in as an “Extraordinary” Rule Change thus bypassing the usual path that a rule change would follow. If it had been put in through the usual process, riders could have had a chance to let you, their representatives, know how they felt about the rule change. They are the members. You represent them.
By putting this Rule in as an “extraordinary” rule change, it appears that you did not want riders to know about this change. It appears that you are not interested in the riders opinion. If the normal route for a rule change had been followed, and USDF had asked their membership, and the membership agreed, then we would be fine with that. But the way this was done, it appears that the riders opinions were left out of a change that affects them.
Currently USDF has voted to ask you to rescind this Rule. By doing so, you are now the ones responsible for this Rule either becoming void, making the members happy, or staying in place, making your Committee the ones responsible for many unhappy members. This is really quite unfair to you.
Make USDF take the responsibility, as they should, for the passing of this rule in a expedited way. Make USDF discuss a new Rule at their next convention with their members in a manner that they should have done in the first place.
PLEASE rescind Rule DR 129.9 back to a 60% so that these riders can show their freestyles.
The USDF BOG voted overwhelmingly to rescind the Rule. PLEASE respect the vote. Please rescind the Rule so it can be discussed and decided on with the entire dressage community with the normal procedures for passing rules.
Thank you.
