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MEMBERSHIP:
It is the member's family's responsibility to
arrange for a suitable horse, transportation for horse and child and equipment
that is safe for horse and child. Before accepting a member, the DC will
determine if the club is able to meet the needs of that child. The DC may
place limits on the minimum age and/or maximum number of members according to
the available resources for supervision and instruction.
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JOINING PROCEDURE: An applicant shall be considered to have become
a member or renewed his/her membership once his/her completed application,
medical release forms, parent participation form, signed regional rally
sportsmanship form, and payment of all club, regional and national fees have
been accepted by the DC and the national office.
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| HORSE/PONY: A
suitable horse for club activities is a mare or gelding, five years or older, in
good health, serviceably sound, with feet trimmed or shod, safe for the child
and does not pose a risk to the safety or learning experience of other members.
Members wishing to ride a horse other then their usual pony club mount at a pony
club activity may do so only with the prior approval of the DC. USPC
Policy No. 0135.
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| EQUIPMENT:
There will be safety checks supervised by a knowledgeable adult, including
horse, helmet, footwear and saddlery, before every mounted activity. MSR
Policies Article VII, Section 2.
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| PARENT INVOLVEMENT:
Parents should be committed to getting their child to all pony club
meetings on time and with the proper equipment, remaining at the meetings with
their child, reading club communications, sharing information with their child,
returning calls, and completing and returning written forms. The club
relies on parent support as well as the child's participation. Upon
joining or renewing, parents will fill out a parent participation form
indicating what skills or resources they are willing to apply toward the success
of the club programs. In order for the club to succeed, each family must
contribute volunteer time each year. MSR Policies Article VII Section 5.
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| ATTENDANCE:
Attendance and
participation of at least 50 percent of scheduled meetings or activities is
required by members in order to be considered for ratings and rally teams.
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| CONDUCT AND ATTIRE:
It is expected that everyone (members, parents,
siblings, guests) attending club functions will treat the instructors,
facility, horses and each other with the utmost respect, and will help out
whenever and wherever needed. The DC-appointed adult in charge has the
right to excuse anyone for unsportsmanlike, abusive or unsafe actions or for
improper attire for any club activity. Profanity, inappropriate
language, alcohol, weapons, tobacco, and drugs (other than prescribed by a
doctor, or a vet if for a horse) are forbidden for everyone at club
activities. The DC-appointed adult in charge also has the right to
excuse any horse or pony that misbehaves, is unsafe, or is in any way unfit
to participate. This is in accordance with National rulings and the
following is a partial list of the appropriate attire and riding equipment
required for Stillwater Pony Club members:
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1. ASTM helmet with chinstrap attached. (According to USPC insurance) 2. Boots (high if age appropriate) preferably not rubber. 3. Breeches with belt (if loops), shirt tucked in. 4. Shirt with sleeves and collar. 5. Girl's hair must not be lower than her collar, preferably under her helmet in a net, but in any case, neatly confined. 6. Boy's hair must be neatly trimmed above collar. 7. Spurs and a crop are to be at the ring for each mounted lesson. 8. Gloves optional. 9. No jewelry (which the DC or instructor deems unsafe or inappropriate.) 10. Attire shall be safe and reflect respect for your instructor, peers, and for traditional English horse sports. 11. Chaps, halfchaps, jeans/jean chaps, riding tights, should only be worn when dictated by weather or special circumstances. 12. Mounts and equipment need to be reasonably clean, with attention to hoof care, bridle path neatly trimmed and mane pulled to braiding length.
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