RRC General Grounds Rules
(Revised by the Board on July 5, 2007)
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1.0 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
2.0 CODE OF CONDUCT
3.0 GENERAL SAFETY RULES
4.0 GUESTS (N0N-MEMBERS)
5.0 DUES AND INITIATION FEES
6.0 PERSONAL PROFIT OR GAIN
7.0 USE OF THE ARENAS AND TIME LIMIT GUIDELINES
8.0 USE OF EQUIPMENT IN THE ARENA
9.0 SPECIAL EVENTS
10.0 THE TRACK
11.0 USE OF THE WASH RACK
12.0 HORSE-DRAWN CARTS
13.0 HORSE TRAILERS
14.0 DOGS AND CATS
15.0 STALLIONS
16.0 EMERGENCY STABLING
17.0 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
18.0 INSURANCE
19.0 RULES FOR BOARDERS AND RENTERS
20.0 BARN LIST
1.0 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of the Richland Riders Club, Inc. (RRC) is to provide a safe, clean, and well-maintained facility for horses, members, and guests. The RRC encourages cooperation, quality horsemanship, and care of horses, as well as the pure enjoyment of riding.
The purpose of the Ground Rules is to expand upon and clarify the Richland Riders Club By-Laws.
2.0 CODE OF CONDUCT
Members in good standing may use the RRC grounds for horse-oriented activities at any time. While on the RRC premises, members and guests are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and safe manner.
Actions such as stealing, flagrant misuse or destruction of RRC or members' property, physical or verbal abuse of members or animals, excessive speed with a motor vehicle (over 10 miles per hour), or any actions that unnecessarily endanger horses or people will not be tolerated.
Infractions of the RRC Ground Rules or By-Laws should be reported to the Board of Trustees in writing within 7 days of the infraction. Disciplinary action will be determined on a case-by-case basis and kept on file for future boards.
3.0 GENERAL SAFETY RULES
3.1 Mandatory Safety Rules Required by Insurance:
While mounted, minors (under 18 years of age) must wear ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials) or equivalent approved helmets. The harness must be secured. This rule is to be enforced by parents or the RRC member who invited the minor.
While jumping, any rider must wear an ASTM or equivalent helmet with harness fastened.
Boots or shoes with at least a one-half (1/2) inch heel must be worn by all riders using stirrups.
Smoking is prohibited in the barn area. Anyone who wishes to smoke must do so only on the track.
3.2 Strongly Recommended Safety Rules:
For protection, an adult mounted rider should wear an ASTM or equivalent helmet with harness fastened.
Not more than one (1) horse at a time should be exercised in a round pen.
When trail riding, a person should tell someone at the RRC where he/she is going. Carrying a cell phone is a sensible idea. In addition, the small gate (near the cook shack) should be left open. The rider can close the gate when he/she returns.
3.3 Children under the age of 18
Children under the age of 18 must be supervised by a member 18 years or older whenever they are riding or working with a horse. Children must be at least 16 years of age to do horse chores such as scooping, feeding, cleaning stalls, etc. without an adult present.
3.4 Cruelty and Abuse Rules
Acts of cruelty and/or abuse are forbidden by the Richland Riders Club, such as the following:
Use of a whip in a way that causes a raised welt or an open wound.
Usage of spurs which results in broken skin.
Unsupervised tying and/or hobbling any horse to itself for any period of time. Any horse hobbled or tied to itself must be personally monitored at all times.
Use of any explosive (e.g.fire crackers, torpedoes, fire extinguishers except in case of fire, etc.), cattle prod/hot shot, or laser beam devices anywhere on the Richland Riders Club grounds.
Non-veterinary letting blood from a horse.
If the horse is bleeding, the handler must stop all activity and attend to the injury.
If activity is causing or aggravating an existing bleeding injury, the activity must cease.
4.0 GUESTS (N0N-MEMBERS)
Members may invite guests to use RRC facilities a maximum of three (3) times. An adult member of the RRC must accompany guest. Any guest who desires to ride at RRC facilities more than three times must become a member. The 3 visit non-member ground rule will be waived for participants in sanctioned events of the CPOC and local 4-H chapter.
5.0 DUES AND INITIATION FEES
The amount of single and family membership dues is established at the annual meeting of the Club. Yearly Dues are payable on or before May 1st of each year.
For new members, an initiation fee will be charged which will be established by the Board. Dues for new members will be prorated to May 1 of the following year.
The current dues and initiation fees are published in the membership application form.
Initiation fee for single or family membership will be payable at the time of submitting an application. If any application is not accepted, the fee shall be returned to the applicant within 30 days of rejection. Memberships are not transferable, nor assignable.
Prospective members are accepted on a provisional basis for a 30 day trial period. They must attend a board meeting or a general meeting and be presented to the board during (preferably at the beginning of) this period. Membership applications must be approved by the board.
6.0 PERSONAL PROFIT OR GAIN
No member of the Club may use any of the club grounds, buildings, or facilities for activity (such as syndication) which is conducted for personal gain or profit.
Board permission is not required for members who offers services to one another including lessons, riding, maintenance, grooming, equine massage, hauling horses, hay, or sand, veterinarian, farrier services, cleaning, feeding or selling horses or equipment at a profit.
7.0 USE OF THE ARENAS AND TIME LIMIT GUIDELINES
The main arena light switch is located on the utility pole in the far northwest corner of the grounds. There are two switches on the box. Only the switch on the RIGHT is for the arena lights. Remember "right" is "right." DO NOT TOUCH THE OTHER SWITCH.
A member riding in any part or all of an arena has the right to continue riding without interference if no one else is waiting. Should another rider desire to use any part or all of an arena, the first rider should limit the time of his activity to one (1) hour. The rider waiting must notify the first rider of his need to share. Use of the arena for riding takes precedence over turn outs. Therefore, any member waiting to turn their horse out, when a rider is occupying the arena, shall allow the rider his/her one hour as a courtesy.
Members who turn their horses out for exercise in the main arena or round pen should not leave them for more than fifteen (15) minutes. With a greater demand for the main arena on evenings and weekends, members should be courteous in adhering to the time limit. When turning out horses for exercise, please be considerate of others whose horses may become excited and difficult to manage when another horse is exercising energetically.
8.0 USE OF EQUIPMENT IN THE ARENA
Horse-related equipment, such as barrels, poles, dressage markers, jumps, carts, trail obstacles, etc., may be used in the arenas. All equipment must be removed and properly stored when a member is finished with the activity--with the exception of the jumps and dressage markers on the east side of the large arena, and the dressage markers in the large arena. This equipment is moved periodically for grooming of the riding surface.
Jump equipment provided by the RRC is costly to maintain and replace. The user must replace standards or poles broken during use.
9.0 SPECIAL EVENTS
Any special event that requires exclusive use of the arenas or round pen must be scheduled through the arena chairperson. A clean-up crew must be assigned to clean up the RRC grounds no later than two (2) days after any event. Clinic organizers are to give preference to RRC members.
The arena chairperson will answer inquires concerning the upcoming schedule.
Any special requirements for preparation of the arenas for an event must be submitted to the grounds chairperson at least five (5) days before the event.
The arena may be rented to other organizations. Requests to rent the arena are made through the arena chairperson. The Board approves the date and time of the activity, and receives the rental fee. Any event that requires exclusive use of the arenas or round pen must be scheduled through the Arena Chair, who will confirm any inquiries concerning the upcoming schedule.
The amount of the rental fee is established at the annual meeting of the club.
10.0 THE TRACK
A quarter-mile track encircles the arenas. To maintain this area, all motor vehicles are prohibited from driving or parking on the track. Please be considerate when galloping on the track and verify that others won't be unduly disturbed.
11.0 USE OF THE WASH RACK
All members may use the wash rack. It is to be used expressly for bathing horses, and not as a hitching post for grooming. Horses are not to be left unattended at the wash rack. High demand for this facility during the spring and summer months means members should show consideration for others' needs.
Turn off the water and coil the hose out of the way before leaving the wash rack.
Members and guests using the wash rack are responsible for removing any manure left by their horses. Manure should not be washed down the drain as this clogs the drain.
Deposit empty bottles and any other trash in the garbage can provided at the wash rack.
Horses can be dried at the wash rack if they are watched and no one else is waiting.
All members should help keep the drain cleaned out and free of horsehair, manure, weeds, and other debris.
In freezing weather, disconnect the hoses from the water hydrant and the water heater. Drain the hoses and the water heater (small valve at the bottom of the heater).
12.0 HORSE-DRAWN CARTS
The following safety precautions are strongly recommended for drivers of horse-drawn carts:
No horse should be left unattended when harnessed to a vehicle.
If other horses (under saddle or in hand) are frightened the driver should halt and stand the harnessed horse until the startled horse is under control or taken from the area.
13.0 HORSE TRAILERS
Each member is welcome to store his horse trailer on RRC grounds in an area designated by the grounds chairperson. Each member is allowed one (1) trailer parking space. The RRC cannot assume any liability for theft or damage to a trailer.
14.0 DOGS AND CATS
Dogs and cats are permitted on the RRC grounds only under the following conditions:
The owner is responsible for the animal?s behavior.
Dogs are not allowed to live on the RRC grounds.
Dogs are required to be on a leash and supervised at all times.
Cats are allowed to live permanently on the RRC grounds.
Cat owners agree to be responsible for the yearly vaccinations and provide other health care as needed.
Cats must be neutered/spayed by six (6) months of age.
No animals other than horses, cats, and cattle may be kept on the RRC grounds.
15.0 STALLIONS
Stallions and/or stud colts older than twelve (12) months of age may not be boarded on the RRC grounds.
Stallions are permitted to use the RRC grounds for schooling. If the stallion is excessively unruly and/or disruptive, the member could be disciplined--even up to losing his membership.
16.0 EMERGENCY STABLING
Temporary stabling will be allowed for members and non-members alike in an emergency (flooding, fire, etc.). The grounds chairperson will organize the emergency stabling. Temporary pens should be left clean.
17.0 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Any RRC member shall have his membership terminated for (1) non-payment of dues, barn, or rental barn fees, (2) infractions of RRC rules, or (3) unbecoming conduct as described in the Ground Rules and/or By-Laws. A member in good standing (with no outstanding balance owed the club) who so advises the board in writing may drop their membership in good standing. A former member dropped in good standing may be reinstated without paying the initiation fee.
18.0 INSURANCE
The RRC purchases insurance, which requires compliance with mandatory safety rules. These rules are posted at the clubhouse and the bulletin board, etc.
All persons using the RRC facilities for any type of instruction to others must carry and submit proof of liability insurance to the RRC board. An Instructor is defined as anyone who schedules a time and receives money shall be considered an instructor and must provide insurance. All instructors must be at least 18 years of age or older. Instructors must name the Richland Riders Club as a secondary insured.
19.0 RULES FOR BOARDERS AND RENTERS
19.1 Boarders. Barn rental or ownership is limited to adult members in good standing. A boarder's stall shall be used for the stabling of not more than two (2) horses with NO EXCEPTIONS.
A boarder is required to provide his own trash container to help keep his barn and pen clean and free of trash, bailing wire, twine, and other debris. Trash cans should be labeled with boarder's name and barn number for easy identification.
Barns and pens must be cleaned of manure at least every day.
Manure is not to be piled on the quarter-mile track around the arenas.
Manure shall be piled in designated locations.
All buildings and fencing are to be maintained at the owner's expense.
Hay storage units must be approved by the Board prior to placement. Owner/renter must contact the board before placement.
19.2 Horse Maintenance. The RRC Board may require a certificate of health from a veterinarian for any horse boarded on RRC grounds. All horses on the RRC grounds are required to have inoculations on a regular basis.
All animals on the RRC grounds must be properly watered and fed. Clean water must be available at all times. Animals must be adequately fed at least on a daily basis.
Any mistreatment of an animal will lead to immediate disciplinary action by the Board.
19.3 Water and Electricity. The RRC provides water and electricity to members. During cold winter months, a boarder may use a tank heater and a heat tape. In the winter, the use of space heaters, heat lamps, or Christmas lights is prohibited because of fire hazard.
19.4 Building Regulations. All buildings and fences constructed on the premises are considered permanent facilities and, therefore, become the property of the RRC.
All fixtures, utility lines, and equipment affixed to buildings on the RRC premises so as to be become a part thereof, and which cannot be removed without material injury to the building or RRC premises, shall also be considered permanent facilities and, therefore, the property of the RRC.
The construction of new buildings is no longer allowed. Any member who does not adhere to this rule may be charged a fine of up to $250 per offense and be responsible for its immediate removal.
Each barn owner must keep in effect fire insurance to cover the assessed value of his owned barn and pen.
No buildings or installed equipment may be removed by anyone without permission of the Board.
Only barn-red or tan colored paint can be used on barns. Trim color, if used, is white for red barns, and barn red for tan barns.
Roofing materials other than rolled roofing must be approved by the Board.
20.0 BARN LIST
Rental barns are assigned to adult members in good standing in the order of application. The order is recorded on the barn list.
Members may be placed on the barn list by applying in writing to the Board.
When a rental barn becomes available, the member on the top of the list is eligible to rent the barn. If the member declines the offer, his or her name may be moved to the bottom of the lis and the barn is offered to the next member on the list. No more than two (2) barns (rental, owned, or any combination thereof) are allowed per membership.
Rental rights shall not be transferable. Upon termination of the lease for any reason, the rental shall revert to the RRC, and all parties must immediately vacate the premises.
Each renter is responsible for the cleanliness of the barn and surrounding grounds as per Section 19.1 of these Ground Rules.
These Ground Rules were approved at the July 5, 2005, Board meeting. These rules supersede all previously issued RRC Ground Rules. No conflict with the RRC By-Laws is intended, and the RRC By-Laws will be the final authority should any conflict arise.
(Original Signed by Marian Norton, President)
