HENDERSON VALLEY PONY CLUB INC. BRANCH OF WEST AUCKLAND DISTRICT PONY CLUB INC.

 BY-LAWS

        1                    This Branch of West Auckland District Pony Club shall be known as Henderson Valley Pony Club Inc.

2                    This Branch of WEST AUCKLAND DISTRICT PONY CLUB shall abide by the Rules and Regulations of the NZ PONY CLUBS ASSOCIATION and those of the WEST AUCKLAND DISTRICT PONY CLUB.

3                    Subscriptions shall be fixed by the Committee from time to time, and shall be payable on or before 14 October of each year and in the case of new members, within 14 days of membership having been approved.

4                    Members joining after 1 January of each year pay only half annual subscription.

5                    Grazers on Club grounds shall abide by the conditions of the Grazing Agreement.

6                    Parents may accompany a coach who is taking a ride but must not interfere with the running of the rally.

7                    All breaches of the Club’s Rules and/or By-Laws shall be dealt with by the Committee in accordance with the NZPCA Guidelines and Resource Manual under rule 2.16 Disputes & Harrassment, which state that the most Senior Pony Club member (President) will receive reports on inappropriate behaviour. All details will be collated and without prejudice or bias, a decision will be made and an explanation or apology will be sought from the offender.

If neither of these are forthcoming within a suitable timeframe then a Yellow Card will be issued to the offender.

8                    The Committee has full powers to suspend and/or expel members for breaches of the Club Rules, Regulations and/or By-Laws in accordance with NZPCA Guidelines under rule 2.15 Resignation, Discipline and Expulsion of Members which states that a person can be removed from the membership by a resolution of the Committee and passed by a vote of 65% by the Committee to be held at a Special meeting of the Committee.

The person being suspended/expelled must be given no less then 7 days notice and prior to the agreed special committee meeting and included in this notification a resolution shall be specified. The person involved shall be given the opportunity to defend themselves before the committee. If the person is under the age of 17 they must be accompanied by an adult.

Any breaches of the Rules and/or By-Laws shall be notified in writing to the parents or guardian of the member/s concerned. In the case of an adult member it will be sent directly to them.

9                    All juniors (under 17 years of age) must have an adult as a member.

10               Club uniform is to be worn at all rallies and closed events – T-shirt and or sweatshirt or white shirt, red tie and badge, jodphurs, jodphur boots or smooth soled, heeled shoes and an approved crash hat, or as approved by the Committee from time to time.

11               Approved helmets are to be worn whilst riding at all times on Club grounds and on public roads.

12               Bad language, excessive use of a whip or spurs will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately by the most senior person present at the time.

13               Wheeled or sharp spurs may not be worn at rallies. Other spurs may be worn only with the Coaches permission.

14               All horses must be under the riders control at all times whether being ridden or lead. If a horse is within a closed area and there are other horses within that area then all horses must be tied securely, even when your horse/pony is eating its feed.

15               Any horse liable to kick must have a red ribbon tied to its tail at competitions and rallies.

16               Horses, which are considered dangerous or unruly, will not be permitted on the grounds.

17               Stallions may be allowed at competitions at the discretion of the Branch Committee and permission must be obtained prior to the event. Stallions are not permitted to partake in any other Pony Club activities. The Stallion must be accompanied at all times and must be in a secure location eg. a yard, so that there is no possibility of this horse coming into contact with any other horse on the premises. Full precautions must be taken whilst moving the Stallion from its enclosure to the transporter on arrival and on departure. Also whilst moving from its enclosure to the competition area. Should the stallion become unruly or be considered a hazard to other mounts or riders, the Ground Jury or Branch Committee shall have the right to insist that the animal be removed from the grounds.

18               Riders must seek their coaches permission to leave the group or the grounds during rally.

19               All horses must be secured during breaks. No horse may be tied by the bridle or long lengths of nylon rope or cord. Horses are not to be tied to the railing round the clubhouse or any fences. Hitching rails are provided and should be used.  Manure must be removed from the hitching rails and corral areas after use.

20               All riding on Club grounds during a rally must be under the supervision of a Coach unless special permission is given by the coach or a committee member.

21               Coaches must be treated with respect and courtesy at all times, and the same due respect given to the rider.

22               Horses grazing on Club grounds must be secured during rallies (Tues & Wed nights) if not being ridden. Failure to comply may result in loss of grazing.

23               No junior may ride on Club grounds without the supervision of a person 17 years or over. The parents are preferable for the supervision of their children except at rallies. Any jumping of any rider on club grounds must be supervised by a Senior or Adult.

24               Financial members may invite a visitor to a rally twice during a season. Visitors must be introduced to a Committee Member. Prospective members may ride at 2 rallies before paying the subscription fee.

25               Club members riding on public roads must comply with the section of the Road Code and Local Authority By-Laws applicable to horse riding. Manure droppings must be removed from the footpaths. If you don’t have anything suitable to do this at the time you must go back and remove it that same day at a later stage.

26               A horse, which is, in the opinion of the Coach, not fit for Club work for reasons of age, health or temperament, may be barred from the Club grounds.

27               Dogs must be on a leash during rallies and events. Dogs are not allowed within the clubhouse facility.

28               Bicycles must not be left lying round the grounds or ridden in the paddocks.

Note: No wheelies or skids on the gravel.

29               Any member who has a complaint should make it in writing to the Secretary and breaches of riding discipline should be referred to the Head Coach.

30               Horses age restrictions apply as per NZPCA Rules.

31               Members who turn twenty-one years of age during the season can compete that season as if they were a senior member of our Branch, and are eligible for all closed competitions, awards and trophies for that season.

32               Riders between the age of 21 and 25 that attend the general rally are not eligible for general rally points, trophies and awards.

33        Riders between the age of 21 and 25 that compete at Closed Events shall partake in the Adult section and be eligible for awards and trophies