Amateur Rider Declaration

[MattMan]

I am signing up for my usea membership and wanted to know if the Amateur Rider checkbox is for me. Do you check this if you are not a pro or trainer etc.? I'm confused on if I should check it or leave it blank.

thanks for the help...

[canterlope]

Mattman, if you meet the definition of Amateur according to Subchapter 13-B (GR1306-1308) of the USEF rules, then you should check the Amateur Rider box on the USEA Membership Form, even if you are a member of the USEF and your membership card designates you as an Amateur.

FWIW, the checkbox on the USEA Membership Form is actually there for riders who meet the USEF definition of Amateur, but are not members of the USEF which means they do not have a USEF issued Amateur Card. The USEF will issue Amateur Cards to non-USEF members, but they cost $30. The USEA did not want to force riders to have to pay this fee, so they came up with the checkbox which works like an affidavit. Once you check the box, it binds you to the USEF Amateur rule and you will be sanctioned by the USEF if it is discovered you don't meet their Amateur definition.

[secretariat]

Correct, with one addition. You should check the box even if you are a declared amateur with the USEF, as organizers will not/do not have time lookup USEF status -- AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO BE PLACED IN AN AMATEUR CLASS, if the show has it. No matter what your status elsewhere, if you don't check the box you won't be in the amateur class.`

The reason for the box is the wish of several amateur members to not have to compete against pros/open classes. If enough entries check the amateur box, the organizer will consider (but is not required to) offer a separate amateur class. If you don't care or would rather compete in the open or horse divisions, don't check the amateur box even if you're an amateur.

All of those "preference" blocks were put on the form so that you could tell the organizer your wishes, and the organizer could then break down the entries that way if possible. It's an attempt to better serve their customers; doesn't always work, and there's still a hole or two, but it's an honest attempt to do better. It's not a declaration (tho as noted you must meet qualifications), it's a preference.

[colliemom]

Correct, with one addition. You should check the box even if you are a declared amateur with the USEF, as organizers will not/do not have time lookup USEF status -- AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO BE PLACED IN AN AMATEUR CLASS, if the show has it. No matter what your status elsewhere, if you don't check the box you won't be in the amateur class.`

The reason for the box is the wish of several amateur members to not have to compete against pros/open classes. If enough entries check the amateur box, the organizer will consider (but is not required to) offer a separate amateur class. If you don't care or would rather compete in the open or horse divisions, don't check the amateur box even if you're an amateur.

All of those "preference" blocks were put on the form so that you could tell the organizer your wishes, and the organizer could then break down the entries that way if possible. It's an attempt to better serve their customers; doesn't always work, and there's still a hole or two, but it's an honest attempt to do better. It's not a declaration (tho as noted you must meet qualifications), it's a preference.


It sounded to me like MattMan was asking about the Membership Application Form and not the Entry Form. Organizers would not be privvy to what is checked on the membership application.

Good information on the Entry Form, too, though! That would probably have been the next question... :winkgrin:

[MattMan]

Ok... first I would like to thank Canterlope for the well thought out answer... but either I have worked in the sun too much this weekend or I've fallen on my head one too many times but I still am confused on what to select on the membership app. The USEF site/rulebook seems to be more confusing than the USEA rulebook, and I would think I would meet any requirement at the moment to be considered a amateur, in that I make no money teaching, riding or otherwise horse related. Is this box only for the chance a Amateur division is actually available in my area? And if it remains unchecked will I just go in either the Horse or Rider division that I choose on each trial or will I be thrown in with Leslie Law and Karen O'connor, because if so they better watch out :)

Sorry to be so slow on the matter... maybe I should drink more and the answer will hit me.

Thanks for the help,

Matt

[MattMan]

Well I followed my advice... sat down had a drink and opened the new Chronicle mag and the first article was about the amateur status... so now I believe I understand what to choose and can qualify for amateur status. Thanks for the responses.

[canterlope]

Mattman, so glad you were able to figure it out. The USEF Amateur Statur rule can be quite confusing and I thought Sara did a very good job of explaining it in her article.

[regeventer]

I was just about to say - read the most recent Chronicle! Apparently they are going back to the "old" rule Dec. 1, 08.

It sounds like a very confusing endeavor.

Out of curiosity - how many venues have you been to that offer an amateur division?

[Flying Hippotamus]

I was quite happy when I realized I had enough for Amateur Novice division. Some people still don't want to be in amateur tho' because then they could be competing against someone who has ridden at a higher level. I have no way of checking on amateur status, well I do, but I don't. I just use what the leettle boxes say.

[retreadeventer]

Sigh...most of the huge Area II events secretaried by certain secretaries do not differentiate...sigh.
I wish they would just change the damn rule to read that if you have a job that makes your living OUTSIDE the horse world, even if you board a horse or two or teach a few lessons, you will be considered an amateur. The way it is written now it unfairly punishes the competent amateur rider who helps out around the barn to pay for a hobby but makes a living from a full time unrelated job. In many branches, not just eventing -- saddlebreds, my sister in law is knocked out for same reason -- etc.

[RoeVee]

I'm in Colorado and haven't seen any amateur divisions. Even when they have 3-4 sections each of Novice or BN running.

[three_dayer]

Most events in CA run ammie divisions, prelim and down...course it completly depends on the number of entries...at least most of the events that i went to this year there was ammie divisions, the ammie divisions are actually a lot more competitive than pros.(esp. at the lower levels)