Mount Barker Adult Riding Club

Handbook

View the complete MBARC Handbook

View the Risk Assessment List

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MBARC Club Rules

1. The committee will close membership at any time if membership reaches a maximum. A waiting list will then be formed.
2. Members must be 18 years of age or over.
3. MBARC has the right to request the removal of any horse or pony that is not under control of it’s rider/owner at a rally/club event.
4. Due to the restrictions to the numbers of members we can accept at any one time, if a riding member has not ridden for 3 consecutive rallies without providing notification/reason to the Club President, their membership may be revoked without refund, and the next person on the waiting list will be invited to join.
5. No dogs allowed at MBARC rallies.
6. Children are to be supervised at all times. Due to risk management/insurance they may not ride or participate in any activities. All children must have adult supervision at all times. This means if the parent/guardian is riding, they must arrange for someone else to supervise. The club may ask any children that are being unruly or disturbing any rider or horse’s concentration to leave.
7. All horse manure to be collected and disposed of in the nominated manure pits.
8. All rubbish and excess fodder to be collected and disposed of in the nominated bins.
9. All members are expected to help set up/pack up/clean up at all rallies they attend, to ensure the day runs on time, and all can go home at the end of the day without too much delay.
10. Suitable clean and neat attire to be worn to rallies. Uniforms can be purchased but are not compulsory.
11. Approved safety helmets (AS/NZS 3838, EN1384 or ASTN F1163) and riding boots with smooth soles and heels must be worn at all times when mounted. Safety helmets must be checked by a committee member at your first rally before you ride.
12. As MBARC is an English discipline riding club and our instructors teach in this style, riding equipment and tack used should be from the English discipline also. However, bitless bridles and hackamores may be used as long as the horse is under control. Also half breed and stock saddles may also be used, but the rider may find they are restricted in ability in jump lessons. Western tack is not considered appropriate for disciplines taught in our rallies. MBARC prefers horses to be ridden in snaffle bits. Harsh bits are not allowed.
13. Horses and ponies should be over 3 years of age for flatwork classes and over 4 years of age for jumping. However, please contact the Club President if you have a horse younger than the above recommendations, and suitability can be discussed.
14. Stallions are not allowed.
15. Horses should be tied up with a halter and leadrope during breaks, and saddle/tack taken off. They may not be tied up by the reins due to safety reasons.
16. No riding to be done in alternative arenas/paddocks at venues without prior consent of the committee. Most rallies will take place in an indoor arena.
17. The committee may amend the club rules at any time if deemed necessary. Any revisions will be sent to all existing members.
18. MBARC prefers that there is no smoking at rallies. There is to be no smoking within close vicinity of the arena. If you wish to smoke, please move away from occupied areas to ensure the comfort of other members. Please take all extinguished butts with you when you leave.
19. Members are expected to check their gear regularly to make sure it is safe and in good working order.
20. Horses must be presented at rallies in good health and sound condition. If a horse is suspected of being unsound, the committee may request that it not participate at that particular rally.
21. Horses should be basically groomed, but it is not necessary to wash/braid, etc, for presentation at Rallies.
22. Horses must be provided with access to water during breaks. Please bring a tub or bucket with you, and you can access water from the facilities at the venue.

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Arena Etiquette

1. Riders must lead horses into and out of the arena with stirrups run up for safety.
2. Mount and dismount in the arena.
3. When passing another rider who is unaware of your presence, call "passing” or "heads up” to make them aware.
4. If you are passing another rider coming from the opposite direction (head on), pass left shoulder to left shoulder.
5. In group lessons, leave at least 2 horses distance between you. If you are too close, perform a 10 metre circle to create distance, and return to the track, but don’t cut off another rider behind you!) OR look around the arena and ride into an empty space, and rejoin when suitable distance has been created.
6. If you need to halt for a reason other than the instructions given, move into the centre of the lesson away from the other riders.
7. If you are walking while others are trotting and cantering, stay off the track to the inner, so they have space to go around you on the outside.
8. All slower movements and manouvers should be practiced on the inside track, so that riders travelling at a faster pace can go around you on the outside.
9. If you are a spectator, please keep voices down to not disturb the lesson.
10. Riders or horses that are deemed not in control must leave the arena at the request of the instructor or other riders.
11. Riders must be courteous to instructors and follow instruction.
12. In group lessons always pay attention to other riders and avoid collisions at all costs!
13. Be mindful of novice riders or green horses having trouble.
14. When requested to line up for instructions, line up as straight as possible, and leave enough room between horses to avoid kicking or nipping!

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Insurance

MBARC is an affliated club with Equestrian Australia (EA), and holds public liability insurance as a result of this affiliation.

MBARC members must sign an EA Disclaimer form at the start of each membership year prior to riding at the first rally of the year.

Riding Helmets must be checked by a committee member before your first ride (please refer to Section 9.11 for safety standards).

We also encourage members to join the EA as an Affiliate Member which offers personal coverage for accidents related to horseriding (please contact EA independently for details).

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