Small but important, to me, anyway

[retreadeventer]

Those of you considering attending the Pennfield Thats a Promise dinner thing, just a little side note; they are promoting these by asking for a donation to benefit "the USEF Young Riders Program".
I did a little research on this and actually, there is no such thing. The USEF does not have a Young Riders Program, per se.
In this instance, for this feed company promotion, I have been told that the money is supposed to go directly to the USEF to help them manage the North American Young Riders competition, being held for not just eventers but show jumping, dressage and reining competitors, in Ky.
To my knowledge it is not a non-profit young riders eventing program that is ***specifically*** benefitting from your contribution should you attend these events.
Certainly the thought and the intent are worthy, but the money is going to the event management of the NAYRC and not eventing young riders. It is a very nice thing they are doing, and certainly the USEF probably appreciates their support, but Pennfield ought to be clear that they are raising funds for the NAYRC, and not a blanket "young rider program". That would benefit ALL young riders. In this case only those young riders selected to participate for each area are going to be possible beneficiaries, and that only by a roundabout way as the monies are to go to event management.
That said , of course the thought, and the idea, is a good one. And I wish we had a "USEF Young Rider program", that would be great.

Perhaps I am being picky here. But it does make a difference to me. I think all young riders need support, and the ones who are chosen for the teams need even more support to get to the NAYRC. I wish there was a more organized way that these kids were funded.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

lol....I do think you are being a bit picky but that's totally fine!


FWIW--I thought it was pretty clear that it wasn't just eventing...but all the USEF disciplines. There are top riders from all the disciplines who have been or will be at the events (the one at Kennett Square has both eventers and dressage).....but you are right...it wasn't clear that this is for the NAYRC.

[retreadeventer]

lol....I do think you are being a bit picky but that's totally fine!


FWIW--I thought it was pretty clear that it wasn't just eventing...but all the USEF disciplines. There are top riders from all the disciplines who have been or will be at the events (the one at Kennett Square has both eventers and dressage).....but you are right...it wasn't clear that this is for the NAYRC.

Horse sports ARE complicated...we have a total alphabet soup of organizations...certainly easy to confuse....and the PR machines probably broke it down to what they felt was a common denominator. It's just that ALL the kids need funds, not just the ones that get to the big party.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Horse sports ARE complicated...we have a total alphabet soup of organizations...certainly easy to confuse....and the PR machines probably broke it down to what they felt was a common denominator. It's just that ALL the kids need funds, not just the ones that get to the big party.


Don't disagree with you there. Although not just the kids need funds! Still....nice to see some fundraising going on and looks like it could be a fun night for some....

[Ajierene]

I actually have not preregistered and put it to the side because I am cautious about donating to a 'young rider's program' - I had images in my head of little Laine Ashker types being encouraged to ride beyond their abilities....

The NAYRC may be something different that I would be more willing to donate to. What exactly would my money be going to? Keep the competition fee down and the quality up? Help with transportation to the Championships? Something else?

[nuts about chestnuts]

While I understand the hesitation many people have about donating money to support NAYRC, I was unpleasantly surprised when I participated that each rider from my area was required to pay several thousand dollars to fund the experience in addition to the initial 2000 fundraising requirement. One year I competed and we were informed about the several thousand dollar bill on the first day of the training camp which was less than two weeks before the competition! Not much time to do extra fundraising so most parents ended up forking over the money.
If you are considering making a donation to Young Riders, I would encourage you to donate directly to your Area YR organization so the money can go to support your local kids and program rather than the general organization of NAYRC.

[rp4241]

On the other hand, there is a really interesting nutrition presentation (focused on their products but full of lots of really useful general info as well) that goes along with the night, snacks, the opportunity to win some cool raffles and the opportunity to meet some of the best riders in the country. They are all very approachable and have actually been enjoying these events... so if nothing else you should go to have a fun night and along the way you might make some valuable contacts and maybe even win some stuff. And I don't really see a problem with donating money to the championship. I do agree that its a little unclear but they have worked very closely with the usef and your money will be going to the championship. The money the kids raise is to cover the costs of the team getting to the championship, it has nothing to do with the cost of putting on the championship. There are many good causes out there, none of which benefit everyone... I don't know, the original post felt a little conspiratorial to me and I just want to say that I know the people running this and they truly do have the best of intentions with these events.

[retreadeventer]

It may be with best of intentions but people involved were told the phrase was unclear and have not made any attempt to change it. And to be clear, the money is to go to the USEF for managing the show, not to the show. I made it abundantly clear in my OP that I felt this was indeed worthy. I just think it is important to be correct when you ask people to give. And as also been pointed out....I AM being "anal" and "picky"!!!