CLUB INFORMATION

All of our instructors are qualified BHS Instructors, who hold current DBS and have first aid qualifications. They all bring a wealth of experience from their main disciplines.

You are paying for instruction from a suitably qualified and experienced professional and so we ask that you listen, take advice and request no outside interference from spectators to ensure you gain the most from your sessions.

The committee organise Riding Club for fun and because we all get a lot out of it ourselves. Please make sure you follow any booking in instructions carefully and be sympathetic if we need to make changes to events. 

To book onto an event:

• Find the event you'd like to attend - all events are advertised on the 'What's On' page and featured on the club's facebook page. 
• Send a message to the organiser - please use the method stated on the event. Please state the session you would like to book for, including any specific discipline if applicable. Also include if you are travelling with someone else and therefore need to consider scheduling.
• Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis - bookings are only confirmed when payment is made to the club account by bank transfer. Please make your payment within 48 hours of booking otherwise your slot will be released.

We understand that life happens and there may be times you need to cancel your session.

If you need to cancel a place you have booked please do so as soon as possible by contacting Jilly via email or Facebook. 

Where the weather or other circumstances mean that an event cannot take place or continue, riders will be notified by the organiser at the earliest opportunity and refunds given. 

Any cancellations made by participants less than 24hrs before the event will not be refunded.

Cancellations made before 24hrs of event start will be refunded in full so long as your place can be filled - which we will make all endeavours to do. 

This means that the club will not lose money by running activities that are not full. 

Where deposits or booking fees are requested, these are non-refundable.

All well behaved stallions, mares and geldings over the age of 4 years are welcome at Yorkshire Coast Riding Club events unless there are restrictions imposed by the venue (5 years for Cross Country). If your horse/pony behaves in a way which significantly disrupts the activity or puts you or other participants at significant risk, you may be asked to retire or sit out particular parts of the session. The decision of the organiser and/or instructor will be final and no refunds will be given except in exceptional circumstances at the Chair's discretion. 

Stallion discs and tail ribbons should be worn as appropriate and members are encouraged to discuss any special needs with the organiser/instructor and other members in advance or on arrival.

Protective headwear of an approved current standard must be worn at all times when mounted, and is advised at all times when dealing with horses. Body protectors of an approved current standard must be worn when required (for example for cross country jumping and arena eventing). Spot checks may be undertaken. 

Members must:

• Follow all directions and rules of each venue and instructor, including school rules and etiquette
• Ensure vehicles are driven and parked with caution - particularly in areas shared with horses and pedestrian traffic 
• Not leave horses tied unsupervised outside of vehicles 
• Ensure tack, equipment and attire is well maintained and correctly fitted
• Assist to the best of their ability/capability in setting out and putting away equipment, without risking their own health and safety
• Assist to the best of their ability/capability in the event an emergency, without risking their own health and safety
• Make themselves aware of potential distractions and be prepared for unexpected occurrences in equestrian settings (e.g. opening closing doors or farm vehicles)
• Ensure horses are under control at all times
• Report all accidents and near misses to the event organiser so this can be recorded in the Accident Book as soon as possible after any incident

All members and prospective members agree to abide by the code of conduct at all times whilst attending or partaking in any Yorkshire Coast Riding Club activities.

1.  It is the responsibility of everybody involved in the Yorkshire Coast Riding Club to ensure it remains a safe place, free from discrimination, fear and where possible, risk.

2.  Yorkshire Coast Riding Club is a friendly and inclusive organisation. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all our members, and believe that it is important that members, instructors and volunteers associated with the riding club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

3.  As a member or representative of Yorkshire Coast Riding Club, you agree to abide by the following code of practice:

• Ensure that the welfare of equines is always paramount. All equine participants should be suitably prepared, fit, healthy and turned out for the activity they are involved in. Rough treatment or cruelty will not be tolerated.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background or religious beliefs or sexual identity.
• Encourage all participants and applaud their efforts, do not ridicule others for their mistakes or criticise their horses and do not applaud or encourage foul play.
• Be familiar with, and act in accordance with club rules and take any measures noted in the risk assessments provided for events, including wearing appropriate attire which meets the relevant safety standards.
• Take responsibility for your own and others’ health and safety, raising any health and safety concerns with the coach, instructor, organiser or other official (as appropriate) at the earliest opportunity and taking appropriate action to mitigate risks to the best of your ability.
• Be proactive in seeking to help at least one event each year.
• Respect the committee’s work and decisions, recognising their volunteer status. This includes making bookings in good faith and keeping to agreed timings for lessons and competitions (including deadlines for payments).
• Share any concerns or complaints about any aspect of Yorkshire Coast Riding Club with the committee, ideally by email to the club’s account. Members should not criticise the club or the committee in public, on social media, or otherwise bring the club into disrepute.

4.  Breaches of this Code of Conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the Club’s Constitution.

5.  Non-members attending Yorkshire Coast Riding Club events in whatever capacity, will be expected to maintain the same standard of conduct as Members. Where this is not the case, they may be required to leave and may be refused entry to future events.

Riding hats and body protectors must meet current standards, which can be found on the British Riding Clubs website here. 

Please check your kit carefully and be especially careful of items bought on sale or second hand.

Please note that air jackets are unlikely to be of a sufficient standard unless worn with another body protector. 

• Maintain good biosecurity at all times
• Keep at least one horse length between horses
• Rider must alert others when entering or leaving the arena and close doors/gates behind them
• Horses working at a faster gait are given priority to use the outside track of the arena
• When riding in the arena horses should pass left shoulder to left shoulder
• If you must stop to adjust equipment, move to the center of the arena
• If there is a loose horse, all riders must move to the center of the arena and stop
• Be aware at all times of riders and their horses around you ensure enough time is given for other riders to react to you

All horses attending club events must be vaccinated against flu (tetanus also recommended) - guidelines including recent changes to vaccination requirements can be found within the British Riding Club Hanbook:

 https://www.bhs.org.uk/british-riding-clubs/brc-handbook/ 

Generally, horses should be vaccinated with in one year of the event being undertaken, and seven clear days before the event itself. Vaccinations must have been started using the recommended protocols and repeated annually, or have been repeated within 1 year for at least five concurrent years.  Some of the venues which we use are now checking vaccination records before allowing members to use their facilities and we reserve the right to undertake spot checks.  The club will not be responsible for any financial losses incurred as a result vaccinations being incorrect - it is your responsibility to ensure your horse is vaccinated correctly.

A copy of the Club Constitution is available within our 'Files & Documents' page

We are affiliated to British Riding Clubs. You can find more information about BRC and copies of the policies and procedures here: https://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/british-riding-clubs