Years ago, when I was young & hopeful, I received a large check at the end of a big job. Instead of having it disappear into the general fund, I splashed out on life memberships for the USDF and the USEA.
I have never used them.
It’s been over 10 years. I have not evented. Only in the last year have I ridden any dressage tests at all. None of them required the intercession of the USDF.
If I think about it, I realize how far I am from my equestrian goals. (Yes, yes, blessed to be riding in any fashion. Blossom where you are planted. Glorious photo with inspirational caption. Meanwhile back in my petty reality.) If I think about it too much, I come over all superstitious and wonder if I jinxed myself. Would I be eventing and dressaging if I had never sent in those memberships? I know that’s not logical.
Usually, I don’t think about it. I mean, think about the memberships. I think about equine competitions – the ones I’m doing and the ones I am not doing – all the time. As you know. Some day, maybe, I will need those memberships. Meanwhile, I remain on their lists. So, I have this exchange every so often.
Mail: Hey, thanks for being a member!
Me: Hey, thanks for the reminder!
(Searches for sarcasm font.)
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Virtual Brush Box 
I don’t know how many memberships over the years that I never used. Of course, if they let seniors ride ponies – only against other adults – my little mare and I would probably have done quite well in the Maryland Hunter-JUmper Assoc. standings. She did with her former owner. That’s one association I never did join.
ooooh boy, i know that feeling. so far i’ve resisted the national level memberships, but a couple years ago bought all my local level stuff and definitely ended up partially regretting some of them when they really did *not* pay for themselves or get used the way i expected. this coming year my hopes and dreams necessitate joining the USEA for me *and* my horse, and ugh. i hope it ends up being worth it!
I renew with USEA in the years I plan to compete (including 2019) and got the same mailer… seemed like a huge waste of $ after they were in the red last year to send a puffy package containing rubber wristband to 50,000 members???
But I think the memberships are good. At least you get the magazines, and ya never know when you could be in the show ring 🙂
I didn’t even think about about the expense of mailing this to all members. Why?
Joining these things feels like predicting the future. Ah well, what’s done is done. I’ll try not to dwell. OTOH, be a long time before I send in another Life membership.