That Would Be Expensive!

The other day I went to USDFScores.com to look up a score. Hello, my name is Karen, and I am a score stalker. I can't help it. First of all, I like to keep track of my scores, no matter how good (or low!) they might be. Second, I like to verify the scores of people who are offering advice or selling a product. I am less likely to trust the advice (or product!) of someone without the experience they might be claiming to have.

Last week, someone sent me a friend request on Facebook. I don't accept most friend requests, but since this person was somewhat known to me, I accepted. The first posts that popped up were those with horses to sell. Hey, I get it. Facebook is about making connections. Who knows when I'll want to buy a horse, or maybe I have a friend looking. Facebook is a great way to promote your business, and I don't mind being friended for that purpose.

You can send a request, but I'll probably ignore it. Sorry in advance.

After seeing the posts of horses for sale, I decided to check out the rider's dressage scores. There was no malice intended. I just wanted to see how much show experience this rider might have. Not that dressage scores are the only way to ascertain someone's riding experience, but it is one place to look. I logged in to USDFscores.com to take a quick peek. After typing in a name, this screen appeared.

I am not going to lie; I freaked out. Since when did it cost members to look up their score reports? I stewed about it for several days, but last night while in bed, it occurred to me that maybe my membership hadn't yet reached the USDF office. I renewed with my GMO, the California Dressage Society, but it does take time for that information to make it to USDF; I always join as a Group Member, not Participating. When I decided to write this post, I went back to the USDF Scores login page and saw this ... Whoops! ​It would seem that I am not (yet) an active member.

Note the word MEMBERS.

While doing some research for this post, I discovered a new-to-me page on the USDF website. If you log in, there is a great dashboard page that I had never seen before. You can see at a glance which horses you own, what awards you have earned, and information about your region. According to the USDF dashboard, my membership has not yet been renewed. I promise I did renew it. 

When I clicked on the view all horses button, a screen popped up showing all three horse I have on file with USDF. When I clicked the tiny buttons below each horse's name, their USDF Lifetime Certificates popped up to print.   

I never bothered to send in Izzy's breed registration - the one circled in yellow.

I feel pretty bad that I immediately jumped to a very negative conclusion in regards to how USDF operates. With inflation climbing steeply (or so it feels), it seems as though everyone is raising prices and finding ways to squeeze out yet another dollar from consumers. My own GMO just started charging for things that were once free which is why I erroneously assumed USDF had begun charging me for score reports. I owe them an apology.

USDF, I am truly sorry for assuming the worst of you.