I think that is somewhat misleading.
The article says that membership was stuck at 80,000 for more than a decade.
The 2019 numbers of 187,000 total members and 100,000 fan members. So that is 87,000 “non-fan” members, which as a growth rate of just under 10% for “non-fan” members. This is good, but not as big as they make it sound.
I do not know about USHJA and USDF,but USEA membership has been essentially flat.
@Janet - do you happen to know if the “fan members” is relatively new idea? Or is are they talking about non-participating vs participating members?
I have a recollection from the past that membership was pretty flat, so my reading of this was that something must be encouraging growth even if not at a spectacular rate. Would love to find USDF #'s…
The fan memberships are relatively new- introduced when Bill Moroney and Murray Kessler took over the leadership. If you read between the lines, the intention was to increase membership numbers without much cost.
“Participating” membership is a USDF thing. There isn’t a “non-participating” membership - the closest to USEF’s “fan” membership would be USDF’s Education membership.
OP, have you looked into western dressage? I have some friends who switched over from regular dressage a few years ago and they are really glad they did. They say everything is less expensive–lesson fees, clinics, show fees, etc. There are only a handful of serious competitors in their area, and most folks are adult amateurs who just want to enjoy a weekend with their horses in a low-key environment. They have made a lot of new friends at the shows and clinics and have even formed a “trail riding” group that meets once a month at various parks, etc. for a day of riding (well, they did before the covid pandemic).
That disconnect has been there for 20+ years, if it hasn’t changed by now it probably won’t.
A Fan membership? If that’s what is needed to increase membership numbers then wouldn’t you think there is a bigger problem that needs to be looked at rather than attracting fans (of what dressage or the USDF)?
Fan Membership. Join the joy of horse sports! … As a fan member you will receive free access to: US Equestrian’s new Learning Center with video lessons from many of the top professionals in equestrian sports, USEF Network, US Equestrian Magazine, Equestrian Weekly newsletter, MemberPerks, SafeSport Training and much more …
The fan membership is designed for those who dont plan to compete, but still want access to their other stuff. I actually think this is a good idea as it allows many more people access to the increasing availability of online education and training.
Please don’t call non showing riders “fans”, I find that a bit demeaning.
If you are trying to increase numbers how about education memberships instead.
However, you need to understand why your memberships are low. If you looked back at all the threads on COTH and the old UDBB you would understand why. The USDF has already been offering all those things but memberships are still down; be sure what it is your “Fans” really want. Otherwise, why make a designated fan membership if you already offer all those things and AAs are dropping their memberships.
I know Cowboy dressage is new (within the past several years) sport category. Not associated with USDF/USEF. But I think western dressage is under the USDF umbrella. Please correct if I’m wrong
Western Dressage is under USEF, not USDF. https://www.usef.org/compete/resources-forms/rules-regulations/rulebook
One cannot have Western Dressage as part of a USDF recognized show.
Some of you are still confusing USEF with USDF.
USEF has the Fan membership, and regular memberships. .
The USDF has an Education membership, and general
membership ( what you get when you join a GMO, eligible for rider awards) and Participating memberships ( showing for everything beyond the rider awards)
Western dressage is under USEF. It was based on dressage principles.
Cowboy Dressage came out of the Morgan world and is really different.
That’s because USDF turned up their noses at Western Dressage…much to the eventual benefit of the WD people
Added to say is the USDF now wanting to call AA’s that don’t show Fans Of dressage? Meaning if we don’t show were only Fans not dressage riders?
if you want your AA memberships back why not call them supporting members? Where they support dressage and support the programs the USDF offers. You need there $$ not their membership numbers.
Thank you for the correction. Our one schooling show series allows western dressage (not cowboy dressage) so I knew it was sanctioned and had standardized tests, just gave the wrong organization credit :encouragement:
NO. Again, the Fan membership is a USEF thing.
Schooling shows can offer anything, “sanctioned” or not. THe fact that a schooling show offers it has no bearing on whether its under USEF or USDF or nothing at all…
Cowboy Dressage also has standardized tests… but it is its own thing completely.
If you look at who the movers and shakers are in WD, you will recognize names from the Dressage world. Their tests have many similarities to USEF/USDF tests, and with each adjustment it seems to me they become more similar… STILL have too many scores for one “movement”, in many judge’s opinion, as I have heard. Many of the judges are also USEF Dressage judges, or L grads.
Yes, and I thought the Fan membership was being thrown out there as an option for the USDF.
Actually, they DO need “the membership numbers”, because that enables them to attract more sponsors/advertisers and get more money from them.
They were considering renaming the education membership. I don’t remember what happened. And I don’t think “Fan” was an option being discussed.
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