Finances


Club funds are used for operational expenses like postage, supplies, instruction fees, rally/championship supplement, and testing.  When funds are available, charitable and community contributions can be considered as well.  Club funds originate from local dues and fundraisers. The following expenses are covered, providing club funds are available:
 
The club will pay for $100 of a candidates ratings fees one time only during the calendar year for levels C2 and above. If a candidate incurs travel, hotel and/or boarding expenses with his/her rating, he/she assumes that fee. 
The club will pay half of a candidates rating fee for D1-C1 levels.
The club will pay 1/2 of the entry fee for Regional Rally entries, except for quiz rally which is covered 100%.  The  stable manager fee is covered 100% by the club at every rally. The Metro Region covers the entire cost of a member's entry fee to championships and GBHPC will contribute $100 towards a member's expenses while in attendance at champs.

Mounted and Unmounted Meetings

Members are expected to wear appropriate attire for all meetings. Tank tops are not permitted at mounted or unmounted meetings.  Polo shirts are required for all mounted meetings as well as unmounted meetings where a guest is present. (for example, if a vet or other professional takes the time to come and talk to our club.)  Shirts must fit appropriately and be tucked in riding breeches or tights.  Boots must be appropriate and clean for mounted lessons, and closed toe shoes must be worn whenever unmounted lessons are around horses.  A cross country vest is recommended for schooling Cross Country, but not required. Helmets must be ASTM/SEI certified and fit appropriately.

Members must always have a safety inspection before mounting.  Members C level and up may be designated safety checkers at mounted meetings.

Ponies must be clean and tack must be safe.

     Pony Club requires that a parent be there a great deal of the time during riding phases to help the children. This is especially true when young, inexperienced Pony Club members are involved.  Someone has to be there to help unload, tack up and help with unruly horses. The instructors cannot be teaching and taking care of things in the trailer area at the same time. As the Pony Club members become older and more capable, this kind of parental help becomes less frequent.

Parents must attend mounted sessions with their child if their  child is a D level rider or younger than age 12, or has a difficult time with his/her mount or tacking up.  Any members C level or up do not have to have a parent in attendance, but must have a designated chaperone present.

Parents cannot ride during mounted meetings unless it is a designated family event.  This is strictly for safety reasons as it may cause separation problems for the mounts of the members and the parents would not be able to help if needed.

Parents or guardians are required to attend all unmounted sessions for kids under 10 years of age in order to ensure appropriate behavior at all times. Members acting in a disruptive manner are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Members must be respectful to other members and all adults in attendance at all pony club functions. Rudeness or lack of respect, will result in the child being excused from the current activity and not being able to participate in future events.


Member and Parent Responsibility

GBHPC is a 100% volunteer run club and volunteers are always needed.  A Pony Club member cannot be successful without their parents support, and the Pony Club cannot function unless every parent does his/her part.  Our club has two mandatory volunteer commitments that we require every family to participate in. 

1- GBHPC is co-host for the 2010 Metro Region Show Jumping Rally at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY on June 6th. At least one parent or designated family representative, as well as the member is expected to participate.  Horse knowledge is not required. 

2-    Our main fundraiser is our Fall Pace. The date for this year's pace is November 14th at the racetrack at Baxter Road. Member's are invited to participate, but that does not fulfill the mandatory volunteer commitment for all members and their families. 

GBHPC also participates  in at least one land conservation activity per year, and we would like to encourage everyone to take part .


GBHPC Rally Policy

Safety comes first.  For this reason, requirements are established so each member is capable of competing at his or her level in a competent manner.  Members participating at any rally will be expected to sign an agreement that he/she will demonstrate exemplary behavior at all times.  Members are expected to wear their club shirts and khaki shorts or pants during the rally except when riding, and then appropriate clothing is necessary. No blue jeans or short shorts.

As a competitor in a rally, each GBHPC member is there to learn and have fun as a part of a team. Participants should remember the following:

-Compete to learn, not just to win.
-Remember that the goal of judging is to suggest a means for improvement.
-Scoring shows where you are in relation to a standard.
-Good sportsmanship, good judgment and respect for each other and your horses are very important.

Ratings

Applications to test must be completed and submitted with the completed flow chart to the DC for approval one month prior to the test date.  The club tries to have prep clinics before each rating to help candidates prepare for their rating.