The USEF Wants To Hear You

[woodhillsmanhattan]

Looks like they actually will be implementing some educational stuff for their members! So that is something for non-showing memberships.

Anyone know if the non-showing membership fee is different? I had asked but I think it got over looked. If it isn’t, it should be! Someone also mentioned making the renewal price less. I think that is a fantastic idea.

ETA: There is a difference. Who knew…guess I never investigated because why join if you aren’t showing, right? :lol:. Hopefully there will be more incentive to be a non-competing member in the future! Looks like they are trying.

[Josh_Taylor]

Mike: Thank you for your advice. I like the idea of hearing new, constructive ideas, let me look into the options for an open forum.
Josh Taylor

[Josh_Taylor]

Mike MCS:
I would like to hear your ideas if you would like to share them
Josh Taylor

[woodhillsmanhattan]

[QUOTE=MIKES MCS;8016214]
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 ?[/QUOTE]

-Member competitions (all age groups!)…as in non-showing competitions. Like creative equestrian essays, Jr/Amateur judging competitions (like in 4H!), Jr/Amateur course design competitions, equestrian photography/art, etc…prizes don’t have to be outrageous. Ribbons, plaques, etc. You could feature the essays online or in a magazine. Judging competition could win a chance to shadow an R judge at a major event. Course design competitions could feature the selected course at a major event and maybe shadow the course designer at the event (maybe not necessarily the championship class but there is usually a warm up class or something). All these would be super cool things to participate in! Might even provide income if you want to charge a SMALL entrance fee (like $10 or something)…free is better obviously but not always feasible

• A membership appreciation week! Free t-shirt, hats, or something? Maybe not mailed to each member because that would be costly. Maybe at all shows hosted on that week?
• Online USEF apparel store if you guys don’t have one! Maybe make Smartpak have an official USEF apparel line? (If this doesn’t exist I demand a cut of all profits! :lol:…but really)
• Get involved with the college equestrian programs. Not just the riding programs, but the colleges that have equine studies majors/research areas. Maybe discounted services to equine education professionals/students? Not sure if there are USEF scholarships available but that could be an idea. If we have additional funding USEF could also look into funding research…You don’t have to shell out a $50,000 grant. Even $500ish travel grants for equine researchers to attend professional meetings, shadow professionals, etc.
• Team up with Rolex and other major U.S. international events to provided USEF member discounted entrance tickets?
• USEF regional member meetings (is that already a thing?)

Ok that’s enough brainstorming!

[IPEsq]

[QUOTE=woodhillsmanhattan;8016256]
Looks like they actually will be implementing some educational stuff for their members! So that is something for non-showing memberships.

Anyone know if the non-showing membership fee is different? I had asked but I think it got over looked. If it isn’t, it should be! Someone also mentioned making the renewal price less. I think that is a fantastic idea.

ETA: There is a difference. Who knew…guess I never investigated because why join if you aren’t showing, right? :lol:. Hopefully there will be more incentive to be a non-competing member in the future! Looks like they are trying.[/QUOTE]

You could be a non-showing member and join for the insurance (mentioned on this thread). Or, you could be a horse owner who doesn’t show, but your horse does.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8016426]
You could be a non-showing member and join for the insurance (mentioned on this thread). Or, you could be a horse owner who doesn’t show, but your horse does.[/QUOTE]

The insurance is an extra cost in addition to membership this year. It is no longer included.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=woodhillsmanhattan;8016406]
-Member competitions (all age groups!)…as in non-showing competitions. Like creative equestrian essays, Jr/Amateur judging competitions (like in 4H!), Jr/Amateur course design competitions, equestrian photography/art, etc…prizes don’t have to be outrageous. Ribbons, plaques, etc. You could feature the essays online or in a magazine. Judging competition could win a chance to shadow an R judge at a major event. Course design competitions could feature the selected course at a major event and maybe shadow the course designer at the event (maybe not necessarily the championship class but there is usually a warm up class or something). All these would be super cool things to participate in! Might even provide income if you want to charge a SMALL entrance fee (like $10 or something)…free is better obviously but not always feasible :)![/QUOTE]

I’m sorry - I mean no offense to you personally and I appreciate you sharing your ideas, but if my membership fees went toward paying for any of the above, I’d be pissed. The USEF isn’t 4H or a community rec center. It should be at the discretion of the individual show management if they want to provide “fun” classes like that - not the USEF.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

[QUOTE=ybiaw;8016460]
I’m sorry - I mean no offense to you personally and I appreciate you sharing your ideas, but if my membership fees went toward paying for any of the above, I’d be pissed. The USEF isn’t 4H or a community rec center. It should be at the discretion of the individual show management if they want to provide “fun” classes like that - not the USEF.[/QUOTE]

No offense taken! It was a whim of an idea to entice non-competing members that I literally typed as I thought :lol:. I didn’t mean for them to be classes held at competitions (outside the judging one I guess…but even that could just be fake judging a class that is already going on and submitting a card at the end of the show). Other stuff would just be online/mailed in submission stuff is what I was thinking. Ways for those that don’t own/lease/compete a horse to still be involved and possible join USEF.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=woodhillsmanhattan;8016480]
No offense taken! It was a whim of an idea to entice non-competing members that I literally types as I thought :lol:. I didn’t mean for them to be classes held at competitions (outside the judging one I guess…but even that could just be fake judging a class that is already going on and submitting a card at the end of the show). Other stuff would just be online/mailed in submission stuff is what I was thinking. Ways for those that don’t own/lease/compete a horse to still be involved and possible join USEF.[/QUOTE]

Ah, ok. I see what you mean.

[IPEsq]

[QUOTE=ybiaw;8016435]
The insurance is an extra cost in addition to membership this year. It is no longer included.[/QUOTE]

Is it cheaper than buying it elsewhere (I don’t know, I didn’t buy the insurance)? If so, then it could still make sense to be a member and add on the insurance.

[MIKES_MCS]

Josh Taylor , You have a PM ( go to your notifications)

[Hunter_JumperMom]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8016484]
Is it cheaper than buying it elsewhere (I don’t know, I didn’t buy the insurance)? If so, then it could still make sense to be a member and add on the insurance.[/QUOTE]

I have the policy printed somewhere, but it was only 25 per year. Think it’s a bargain

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8016505]
I have the policy printed somewhere, but it was only 25 per year. Think it’s a bargain[/QUOTE]

But my point is that it used to be included in the $55/year membership, not as an additional fee.

[MIKES_MCS]

ybiaw,

Why not reach out to the 4-H , it’s a huge communtiy and in the past MANY barns in this area have picked up students from those ranks , They ( 4-H don’t even know what the USEF is) as far as your member ship dollars going to support this low level … tell me where do you think my membership fees or those like me ( the ones who only show 6 - A or AAA shows a year ) go to support ?? cause it isn’t the summer season competitior , they get their awards from their Local associations which they pay membership fees too. I don’t think the USEf will meet any new membership gaols if they have to wait for the current membership to produce a baby boom of pony riders to pick up the memebership .

[Hunter_JumperMom]

[QUOTE=Josh Taylor;8016318]
Mike MCS:
I would like to hear your ideas if you would like to share them
Josh Taylor[/QUOTE]

One of the ideas I tried to get pushed through but went on deaf ears was changing the age of a Junior Rider to 21, in line with Young Riders. Doesn’t mean changing the age of any of the eq/hunter/jumper finals/classss, just allows you to work and ride and do the things you can do as a junior and not as an amature. Would help many college kids make some bucks while in college and help make the decision to stay in the field or not.

[findeight]

OK, I’ll add my usual. Take the O out of AO to attract more competitors. Allow leases IF they are a minimum of 6 months or even a year and recorded.

There’s a whole class of recently aged out Juniors and returning Adults plus those new to the sport who are priced out of full ownership at 3’6" and now the new 3’3" divisions. Those divisions frequently languish for entries, often combined with Juniors while the 3’ Adults continues to grow big and fat with leased horses often quite able to handle 3’3" and 3’6".

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=MIKES MCS;8016512]
ybiaw,

Why not reach out to the 4-H , it’s a huge communtiy and in the past MANY barns in this area have picked up students from those ranks , They ( 4-H don’t even know what the USEF is) as far as your member ship dollars going to support this low level … tell me where do you think my membership fees or those like me ( the ones who only show 6 - A or AAA shows a year ) go to support ?? cause it isn’t the summer season competitior , they get their awards from their Local associations which they pay membership fees too. I don’t think the USEf will meet any new membership gaols if they have to wait for the current membership to produce a baby boom of pony riders to pick up the memebership .[/QUOTE]

I don’t understand your post.

[MIKES_MCS]

ybiaw, You wrote this “I’m sorry - I mean no offense to you personally and I appreciate you sharing your ideas, but if my membership fees went toward paying for any of the above, I’d be pissed. The USEF isn’t 4H or a community” this post was started as an answer to a request from the USEF , on how to increase mebership and make the USEF a better organization.

woodhillsmanhattan : was brainstorming on ways to attract new members and mentioned some new classes or incentives targeting an untapped pool of horse owners , While the USEF isn’t the 4-H one might ask why is the 4-H so much larger then the USEF? Answer , they make it affordable to the masses . Question , should the USEF target such a consumer and perhaps come up with a "Type of membership that woudl attract such a demopgraphic.

[ybiaw]

I still don’t understand what you’re asking or trying to say to me. I was replying to Woodhillsmanhattan?

[pony4me]

Just curious…does the USEF ever advertise anywhere so they could reach people outside of the Hunter/Jumper world they reach here? One has to assume that their Facebook page reaches only their members, or those who already know about them. I’ve never seen any info on benefits of membership outside of what’s on their website.