By-Laws of Skylands Pony Club

I.                    MEMBERSHIP

A.    Requirements

                                                               i.      Age- Members should be old enough to concentrate during mounted lessons and physically capable of riding at the walk and trot during a group lesson.  Suggested minimum age is 6 and the maximum age according to the USPC is 25 years old (members ages 21 through 25 must have been members prior to age 21).  If the candidate is under 6, but can demonstrate a D1 level, the age can be waived.

                                                             ii.      Mount- Skylands will not require its members to own a mount, however owning their own mount will make it easier for the child to progress through the ratings system and be a more active participant.  When/where mounts may be shared.  Mounts must be suitable to the rider’s ability.

                                                            iii.      Parents/Guardians (age 21 or over) must be present during all mounted and un-mounted meetings, unless prior arrangements with the DC have been made.  Skylands strongly encourages parents, sponsors and supporting adults to become involved in as many activities as their time and talents permit.

B.     Active Members: Attendance and participation are necessary for learning, evaluation and enjoyment of the club

                                                               i.      Attendance at mounted and un-mounted meetings should be no less than 75%.           

                                                             ii.      Absences should be reported to the DC before the meeting.  Absences due to a school obligation, family obligation, illness, other equine activity or Regional or National activities shall be excused.

                                                            iii.      New members must attend 2 un-mounted meetings before being eligible to join and must be evaluated by the instructional coordinator.  Skylands Pony club prefers members join at the Annual meeting in October.

II.                 SPONSORS

All parents of participating members of the club will be considered Sponsors of the club after paying the annual Sponsor fee and being accepted by the DC.  Other interested adults may be Sponsors after paying the annual Sponsor fee and being accepted by the DC.  The Sponsor fee shall be $20.00 per year.  The sponsors at the annual meeting will decide the amount for the sponsor fee for the coming year each year.

III.               DUES- The amount of Club dues will be set each year by the Executive Board.  Dues must be paid by members to the region and national organization at rates set forth by them.

IV.              EXECUTIVE BOARD-

The DC, Jt-DC, secretary and treasurer and all sponsors are considered members of the Executive Board and will have full voting rights. 

V.                 VOTING- Skylands Pony Club will follow the national rules of voting.  The national and regional by-laws will and shall supercede the Skylands by-laws at all times.

VI.              MEETINGS-

Meetings, mounted and un-mounted will be held according to the schedule set for the by the Board.  An annual sponsor meeting is required each fall for the planning and implementing of the Skylands program.  The DC may hold additional meetings of parents, members and/or sponsors during the year in addition to the annual meeting.

VII.            COMMUNICATION- The Skylands Pony Club website will be the primary         source of communicating our clubs activities. 

VIII.         RATINGS- Ratings are usually held when sufficient members are available for the test, but, in no case, will a member be required to wait more than 6 months to be tested for a rating.  It is the goal of Skylands Pony club to hold ratings in April and October

                                                               i.      Intent- it is important that the DC be notified of your goal to rate up several months in advance.  This will allow the DC to keep a note of your progress and stay in contact with the Instructors.  A candidate can only rate with written permission of the DC/IC (Instructional Coordinator).  The criteria for each rating level is specifically outlined in the Standards of Proficiency, which will be supplied to all Pony Club members.   It is your responsibility to attend and be prepared.  All completed paper work must be handed in to the DC one month prior to rating. 

IX.              RALLIES- all members are encouraged to participate in rallies.  The DC will decide on team make-up for all regional rallies. All members attending rallies must have attended 50% of the particular rally discipline prior to the event.  

X.                 CODE OF CONDUCT- All members will sign the USPC code of conduct and adhere to those rules as set forth by the USPC at all Skylands functions.

XI.              AMENDMENTS- these policies may be amended at any time by a vote of a majority of the Sponsors.

Voted on and passed by The Skylands Pony Club Members on 2/18/2007.