Club Policies

Bayou City Pony Club Policies

All fundraising activities which produce a profit will be allocated as follows:

General donations and Club and sponsor dues are allocated to the general fund of the club. This fund should not be drawn down below $1000 in any given year.
Income from member fundraisers are allocated to a subsidy fund accessible only to those members who participated in the fundraising activity. Subsidy is 50% of rally fees to any qualified member attending rally.

At such time as a Pony Club member resigns the club, all rights to the subsidy account are waived. However, one sibling may transfer his/her rights to another sibling.

Any funds raised from Friends of the Bayou City Pony Club will be placed in the general fund and not into the subsidy account, as these are monies obtained through the general fundraising committee function.

The general fund of the club will pay first time ratings for Pony Club members providing funds are available as determined by the Pony Club officers. If it is necessary for a child to take a rating level test a second time, it is the responsibility of the child’s family to pay for any fees and expenses for the repeated rating.

In order to qualify for a rating, Pony Club member must attend at least half of the Club's scheduled activities within the last 12 month period or for new members, at least half of the activities following the date of membership. Exceptions may be made for members attending college, at the DC’s discretion. To rate, a Member must receive permission from the DC. After receiving a rating, members must attend at least three Pony Club activities to be eligible to rate up, unless an exception is made by the DC. Valid reasons for exceptions include a new member who has not yet rated up to his or her current true level. In no case will ratings be skipped, or multiple ratings taken on the same day by the same member.

Any NSF charge caused by a member’s check will be reimbursed to the Club. Should the NSF charge not be paid the member will not be eligible to participate in any Pony Club activity until the matter is resolved.

A Member in Good Standing of the Bayou City Pony Club shall be an individual within age guidelines, whose dues are paid in full, and who participates on a regular basis in activities of the Club.

		Club Policies
Home About Pony Club News Calendar Pictures Meeting Locations Club Policies Contacts Links Library Trading Post Questions & Answers New Members Rating Information Safety Information Study Guides & Forms
	USPC Guiding Beliefs USPC is an educational organization which progressively develops the well-rounded horseperson. The well-rounded horseperson is capable of riding safely and tactfully on the flat, over fences, and in the open. Knowledgeable care of horses and ponies (horse management) is basic to the well-rounded horseperson. USPC is committed to the well-being of the horse. Fair and friendly competitions develop teamwork and sportsmanship. Fun and friendship are part of Pony Club. USPC requires parental and volunteer involvement and support. The USPC is committed to safety. The local Club is the core of USPC. Bayou City Pony Club By-Laws The Bayou City Pony Club will operate according to (1) the bylaws of member clubs as published in the 1991 USPC Handbook and (2) the following additional policies which were adopted by the sponsors at the annual sponsors meeting. Article 1/ Section 1: There is an annual Sponsors fee of $1.00. Article 2/ Section 2: Sponsors meetings will be held annually, as scheduled on the club calendar. Article 3/ Section 1: Bayou City Pony Club will pay dues for DC and Co-DCs USPC sustaining memberships. The DC will keep the original medical releases. Copies will be distributed as necessary for activities. The DC will not authorize expenditures from the approved club budget over $100 without approval from one of the other officers. Article 3/ Section 3: Expenses requiring reimbursement by Bayou City Pony Club are to be submitted in writing to the treasurer within 60 days of expenditure of the funds, unless funds are not available. In the case of funds unavailability, such expenses must be submitted within 60 days of notification that funds become available. Article 4/ Section 1: Debts of any member must be cleared before membership will be accepted in the following fiscal year. In order to apply for membership, a prospective member must demonstrate to the DC, COI or to a nationally rated active Bayou City Pony club member the following: The ability to approach the pony safely, put on a halter, lead and turn properly. The ability to ride independently at walk and trot. Article 4/ Section 2: There are annual local dues of $9.00. Meetings: The Coordinator of Instruction will set mounted meetings Ratings: Pony Club raters who are not familiar to the members will perform local ratings, D3 thru C2. Oral rather than written tests will be used in ratings. Nationally rated pony club members may be asked to administer placement ratings. By-Laws: The bylaws will be reviewed, updated and approved at the annual meeting of sponsors. Bayou City Pony Club Mounted Meeting Guidelines Mounted meetings are usually held on the third Sunday afternoon of the month. In order to have a ride time reserved, each pony clubber wishing to ride must contact the Coordinator of Mounted Instruction no later the Wednesday preceding the mounted meeting to request a ride time. The Coordinator will then contact the member with his or her ride time by Friday preceding the mounted meeting. Please be aware that once a ride time is assigned and you are notified, you may be responsible for the lesson fee whether you actually show up or not. The facility and contract with the instructors are all pre-arranged. Bayou City Pony Club may still be charged for your expenses. In event of illness or other emergency the Coordinator will attempt to re-contact others affected and juggle the schedule. If suitable adjustments are successful you may not be charged for the lesson but this cannot be guaranteed. All ponies/horses, tack apparel, and rider must be SAFE and should strive to be clean. During your safety check your turnout will be judged and any problems will need to be addressed before you will be mounted. Appropriate attire should be worn to all meetings. For a mounted meeting this includes breeches or jodhpurs with correct footwear, neatly-fitting shirt with sleeves, properly-fitting (snug) riding helmet, hair back (if long). It is not acceptable to ride in shorts or sleeveless tops. You should strive to be on time for your session. Tardiness will cut into YOUR ride time, as the lessons will have to start without you and end on schedule. All horses must travel with a copy of a current negative Coggins test. This is a state mandate, not just a Bayou City Pony Club rule. Horse property owners and managers have every right to ask to see them before they allow you to unload on their grounds. If you provide a current copy to the meeting Coordinator, the Coordinator will retain these and have them available at mounted meetings. Bayou City Pony Club Policies All fundraising activities which produce a profit will be allocated as follows: General donations and Club and sponsor dues are allocated to the general fund of the club. This fund should not be drawn down below $1000 in any given year. Income from member fundraisers are allocated to a subsidy fund accessible only to those members who participated in the fundraising activity. Subsidy is 50% of rally fees to any qualified member attending rally. At such time as a Pony Club member resigns the club, all rights to the subsidy account are waived. However, one sibling may transfer his/her rights to another sibling. Any funds raised from Friends of the Bayou City Pony Club will be placed in the general fund and not into the subsidy account, as these are monies obtained through the general fundraising committee function. The general fund of the club will pay first time ratings for Pony Club members providing funds are available as determined by the Pony Club officers. If it is necessary for a child to take a rating level test a second time, it is the responsibility of the child’s family to pay for any fees and expenses for the repeated rating. In order to qualify for a rating, Pony Club member must attend at least half of the Club's scheduled activities within the last 12 month period or for new members, at least half of the activities following the date of membership. Exceptions may be made for members attending college, at the DC’s discretion. To rate, a Member must receive permission from the DC. After receiving a rating, members must attend at least three Pony Club activities to be eligible to rate up, unless an exception is made by the DC. Valid reasons for exceptions include a new member who has not yet rated up to his or her current true level. In no case will ratings be skipped, or multiple ratings taken on the same day by the same member. Any NSF charge caused by a member’s check will be reimbursed to the Club. Should the NSF charge not be paid the member will not be eligible to participate in any Pony Club activity until the matter is resolved. A Member in Good Standing of the Bayou City Pony Club shall be an individual within age guidelines, whose dues are paid in full, and who participates on a regular basis in activities of the Club.