The USEF Wants To Hear You

[BeeHoney]

[QUOTE=Otter;8015280]
Each of your asks comes with a significant cost. How do you propose to fund these initiatives?[/QUOTE]

Actually, I don’t think that is the case. Microchipping is reasonably inexpensive and is a cost that would be borne by owners/competitors. I’ve heard people complain that it is “just one more fee” but come on–I have my freebie barn cats and shelter dogs microchipped, not a huge expense in the lifetime of a horse. There already is a line on the USEF horse registration form for microchip information. Scanners are small and lightweight and cost a couple of hundred bucks and are incredibly easy to use.

Restricting green divisions to green horses and enforcing that would cost very little. Likewise, enforcing amateur rules would also cost little to nothing. Might even bring in money if offenders were fined.

Changing hunter judging would not cost anything.

Changing the distribution of prize money wouldn’t change anything either. The USEF is not providing the prize money anyway.

Educational opportunities WOULD cost something, but it would be a cost that might be offset by more people joining an organization that is actually relevant to them.

[js]

From what I am reading here and on the other thread, the USEF isn’t doing a good job of adhering to their own mission statement.

https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/AboutUs/MissionStatement/Default.aspx

[KingoftheRoad]

[QUOTE=Otter;8015276]
Completely agree. If they scheduled it for 6pm, people would complain that it was dinner time or they are busy helping their kids with homework. Lunchtime seems fair.

You can send feedback USEF anytime. It doesn’t have to be during the FB chat.[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure how other people’s jobs work, but with less than 24 hrs notice, I can’t guarantee that I will be able to take lunch exactly from 12-1, much less be in front of a computer where I can particpate in a Facebook chat.

Kinda how I can’t plan to be gone from work every Thursday and Friday during the show season because that’s when the amateur divisions go.

But then, it doesn’t appear I’ll be missing much - as long as the USEF continues to insist that competing amateur members are getting a good value for their membership by paying $125 to both them and the USHJA (and they have to take some accountability for the USHJA - before them, we still paid almost the same amount, it was just to another part of the AHSA), we don’t have a whole lot to talk about.

I didn’t used to be this cynical, I promise!!!

[ybiaw]

The biggest thing that I’d like them to change, which I brought up on their facebook post, is that I think it would be nice if the liability insurance were still INCLUDED in the membership. As of this year, it’s a separate purchase in addition to your membership fee. Honestly, the only reason I had my membership the past few years as for the insurance - I don’t compete at the moment, but that extra insurance policy really incentivized me to become a member. Sure, the Smartpak discount is nice, but…

[M_O_Connor]

Looking for this chat today…? Where is it?

[JenEM]

M.O’Connor, its off to one side on the “posts to page” sidebar, which was tricky to find. It appears I’m the only one who’s asked anything so far.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I am available and can ask questions if anyone needs! Going to wait a few minutes so I can scarf down lunch real quick and see if any of the comments mentioned here have already been mentioned.

[MIKES_MCS]

If I am on the right FB page , there are only 3 posts , 2 by the same person and no answers ??? perhaps you have t be a memebr to even see the discussion.

[Josh_Taylor]

To kingoftheroad:
I understand that the timing of the live chat may not suit all those who would like to participate. This is a first attempt to reach out to our membership via live Facebook chats . If the forum is well received, I would be happy to schedule additional live chat sessions. Thank you for your interest.
Josh Taylor

[Josh_Taylor]

To MIKES MCS:
I do understand the cost of participation in competition exceeds the cost of a $55 USEF membership. We do not set the affiliate membership costs, nor do we control the prices that competitions charge for entries, stalls, etc.

My intent is to demonstrate that USEF has not raised its fee in the eleven years since its inception and that we attempt to provide good service for your membership dollar.

The USEF Facebook page Facebook.com/usequestrianfederation - I have been answering questions by reply to the individual questions (five or six so far)

Josh Taylor

[Go_Fish]

Wow…a WHOLE hour. I feel so important that the USEF has devoted this time to hear what I think.

Honestly, I can probably tell them in less than 30 seconds, but then, I digress…

[Tackpud]

I’m trying guys…

[MIKES_MCS]

Josh Taylor, Thank you for taking the time to come on here the COTH boards and address my response. I am quite sure the Mods on this board would not mind in the least should you decide to start your own thread and keep it open for a week, I can further guarantee you will get 1000 posts in the thread in that amount of time and here’s a bonus you would not need to announce it just start it and stay on it for a week, you will be surprised and perhaps come away with a ton of FREE useable advice along with much needed insight. THE USEF board members have been invited multiple times to come address this board directly; You so far have been the first to post … Please come back and don’t be afraid of us, collectively there is a million years worth of knowledge on this board and I think we will all agree to stay civil should you take us up on this offer. Again thank you

[MIKES_MCS]

A quote from the FB page
“We are looking into ways to evolve our programs to encompass grass-roots as well as enthusiast and fans to create an equestrian community which we can all be proud to be a part of, and welcome any suggestiosn you may have”.

How does one submitt those ideas ?

[Linda]

Are the discussions from this meeting posted somewhere? If so where? Is there a link? Not finding anything…

Certainly could have been better communicated in terms of “where” to find the notes from the sessions and “how” to get there.

We are not all computer wizards… I for one, have spent a half hour wandering around without locating any pertinent info on this meeting

[Tackpud]

https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianfederation

Try this link.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I posted a few questions that I think received good answers. Hopefully the requiring microchipping actually sunk in! I wish even more people would echo that opinion. The USEF should not cater to those that cheat. Microchipping is simple, effective, and low cost. Plus it has benefits for the owner outside of just competitions! I don’t think people would argue with it. And it they do…they are probably cheating!

[scrbear11]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8015165]
I am not huge USEF booster… but isn’t that LUNCHTIME for people in EST zone and therefore a time when even people who work might possible be available? No matter what time he picked, it was going to be a problem for some folks. That’s a time that’s early enough to not be NUTS on the West Coast and lunchtime for East Coasters who I suspect make up a majority of USEF/USHJA members. It’s possible that time was seen (rightly or wrongly) as being a GOOD one for a lot of people.[/QUOTE]

What’s lunchtime? I think 9 out of 10 working adults work through lunch.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=scrbear11;8016240]
What’s lunchtime? I think 9 out of 10 working adults work through lunch.[/QUOTE]

Come on, now. At least they’re trying.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Having the conversation on a separate posts to page certainly doesn’t make it easier to use on a cellphone. I hope US cellphones work with Facebook better then ours. Quite a few worksites have blocks on accessing FB so I expect quite a few people would be joining on cells/ tablets.