HORSE RIDING AGREEMENT AND LIABILITY RELEASE FORM

for Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd, LH Training Ltd

IT IS HEREBY AGREED TO AS FOLLOWS: THAT

A. REGISTRATION OF RIDERS AND AGREEMENT PURPOSE. I, the following listed individual hereinafter known as the “RIDER” and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor, do hereby voluntarily request and agree to participate in horse riding at Wapley Riding School Ltd premises and the neighbourhood, and that this RIDER will ride a horse/pony owned by or boarded at Wapley Riding School Ltd. In some cases the rider may ride their own horse/pony.

B. AGREEMENT SCOPE, TERRITORY AND DEFINITIONS. This agreement shall be legally binding upon me the registered RIDER, and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor, my heirs, estate, assigns, including all minor children, and personal representatives; and it shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Country of Wapley Riding School Ltd Bristol. Any disputes by the RIDER shall be litigated in and venue shall be the country in which Wapley Riding School Ltd is physically located. The term “HORSE” herein shall refer to all equine species. The term “RIDING” herein shall refer to riding or otherwise handling of horses or ponies, whether from ground or mounted. The term “RIDER” shall herein refer to a person who rides a horse mounted or otherwise handles or comes near a horse from the ground. The terms “I”, “me”, “my”, shall herein refer to the above registered rider and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor.

C. ACTIVITY RISK CLASSIFICATION. Horse riding is classified as a RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY, and there are numerous obvious and non-obvious inherent risks always present in such activity despite all safety precautions. Related injuries can be severe requiring hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects than injuries in other activities. May even result in death.

D. NATURE OF RIDING A HORSE. No horse is a completely safe horse. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger,20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If a rider falls from horse to ground, it will generally be at a distance from 3-5 feet, and the impact may result in injury to the rider. Horse riding is the only sport where one much smaller, weaker predator animal (human) tries to impose its will on, and become one unit of movement with, another much larger, stronger prey animal with a mind of its own (horse) and each has a limited understanding of the other. If a horse is frightened or provoked it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts which may include, but are not limited to: stopping short; changing directions or speed at will; shifting its weight; bucking, rearing, kicking, biting, or running from danger.

E. RIDER RESPONSIBILITY. Upon mounting a horse and taking up the reins the RIDER is in primary control of the horse. The RIDER’S safety largely depends upon his/her ability to carry out simple instructions, and his/her ability to remain balanced aboard the moving animal. The RIDER shall be responsible for his/her own safety.

F. CONDITIONS OF NATURE. We are NOT responsible for total or partial acts, occurrences, or elements of nature that can scare a horse, cause it to fall, or react in some other unsafe way. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: thunder, lightning, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals, insects, reptiles, which may walk, run, fly near, bite and/or sting a horse or person; and irregular footing on out-of-door groomed or wild terrain (and which is subject to constant change in condition according to the weather, temperature, and natural and man-made changes in landscape).

G. INSPECTION OF PREMISES. RIDER has inspected the premises and facilities where we are located at Wapley Riding School Ltd and is satisfied that all premises conditions are reasonably safe for RIDER’S intended purpose, usage and presence upon Wapley Riding School Ltd premises.

H. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR WARNING: I the RIDER have been fully advised that I must purchase and wear a properly fitted and kite-marked riding hat, and that the wearing of such headgear while mounting, riding, dismounting, and otherwise being around horses, may prevent or reduce the severity of those head injuries and even prevent death from happening as the result of a fall or other occurrences. Proper riding boots are required and Wellingtons/Trainers are not permitted. I am aware that should I use a riding hat from the premises I take full responsibility for its fitting.

SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY OR THAT OF YOUR/OUR HORSE.

GDPR Data Protection Act: Statement: I understand that the information that I have given will be held in accordance with the GDPR Data Protection Act but may also be made available to insurers and other concerned parties in the event of any injury or accident. I understand that I must obey the instructions of the instructor and must comply with the Health and Safety of the establishment. I reserve the right not to ride a horse allocated to me or my child and/or request a change of instructor, however, I understand that if my request cannot be upheld for whatever reason full payment for the lesson is still required.

Code of Conduct: We believe that it is important that riders, instructors, volunteers, and parents should at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore as the RIDER / Parent or Guardian you accept the following:

• I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risks and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions.
• I may fall off and could be severely injured or even die. I accept that risk.
• I understand that instructions are given for my safety and agree to follow instructions given to me by staff and the Riding instructors.
• I understand that wearing an appropriate riding hat and body protector may reduce the severity of an injury should an accident happen and agree that I will always wear an approved and properly fitted riding hat whilst riding and leading horses at the riding school. I understand I may choose whether or not to wear a body protector.
• I understand that I may be refused my request to ride due to safety or operational reasons.
• I understand that competing carries enhanced risk over and above general riding and agree that if I choose to participate in any competition, it is up to me to ensure that I have the experience and ability to ride the course including any jumps which form part of it. If I am in any doubt, I will use my judgment and experience and not enter the competition.
• I understand that children are at particular risk around horses and agree that I will keep children that I am responsible for, under close supervision when they are not being instructed in their lesson, event or activity.

Liability Release: In consideration of Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd including LH Academy allowing my participation in this activity, I the rider, for myself and on behalf of my child/and or legal ward, heirs, administrators, personal representatives or assigns, do agree to hold harmless, release and discharge Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd including LH Academy and its owners, instructors, staff, helpers, volunteers, insurers and others acting on its behalf (hereinafter, collectively referred to as ‘Associates’) of and from all claims, demands, causes of action and legal liability, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, due to Wapley Riding School Ltd Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy, and/or its associates ordinary negligence; and I do further agree that, except in the event of Wapley Riding School Ltd Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy, gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, I shall not bring any claims, demands, legal actions and causes of action, against Wapley Riding School Ltd Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy, and its associates as stated above in this clause, for any economic and uneconomic losses due to bodily injury, death, property damage, sustained by me and/or my minor child and or legal ward in relation to the premises and operations of Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy to include while riding, handling, leading, helping or otherwise being near horses owned by or in the care, custody and control of Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy whether on or off the premises.

We also hold no responsibility for any Riding Hats or equipment loaned or hired from Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd and Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy. We have been strongly advised to purchase our own to ensure correct fit and safety.

Declaration and Signed Statement of Awareness: I consent to myself / my child receiving any medical treatment, which, in the opinion of a qualified medical practitioner, may be necessary.

• Riders under 16 years of age: I accept full responsibility for my child and confirm that the pre-assessed abilities on my profile and/or page one of this form are correct. I accept my child rides at his/her own risk, and taking part in riding lessons at Wapley Riding School Ltd, Wapley Stables Ltd, Wapley LH Training Ltd inc LH Academy.
• Riders aged 16 years and over: I confirm that the pre-assessed abilities on my profile and/or page one of this form are correct and that I ride entirely at my own risk.

I/We the undersigned have read and do fully understand the agreement, warnings, release, and assumption of risk. I/We further attest that all facts relating to the applicant's physical condition, experience and age are true and accurate. I have received and/or read the ‘Keeping safe whilst at ‘Wapley’ information sheet, ‘What to wear’, ‘The cancellation Policy’, and notices on the premises notice boards. I/we agree to abide by the code of conduct. I confirm that to the best of my knowledge all the details within this document are correct.

I acknowledge THAT RIDING IS A RISK SPORT AND HOLDS A POTENTIAL DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH, and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions.

All Riders and Parents or Carers/Legal Guardians for riders under 16 years must sign below after reading this entire document.