British Riding Clubs Centre Membership Scheme. Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

Transcription

1 British Riding Clubs Centre Membership Scheme Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together Information Pack

2 Introduction More than half a century ago, several Riding Clubs in the South East of England approached The British Horse Society about the provision of an affiliation scheme. These clubs wished to affiliate themselves to a main equestrian organisation in the UK, but wanted to continue to manage themselves and remain independent. The affiliation scheme was set up on this basis and British Riding Clubs (BRC) was born. Over the years, the network of affiliated Riding Clubs has grown into a body that now has in excess of 430 Affiliated Clubs and 50 Riding Club Centres, from the Orkneys to the Channel Islands, with more than 34,000 members. The British Riding Clubs movement aims to reach all types of horse and rider from the dedicated competitor to the recreational rider. We offer a whole range of support and encouragement for riders, including national competitions, qualifications and social events. There are many benefits to joining BRC, details can be found on the following pages. Important Contact Information Part of The British Horse Society Call: ridingclubs@bhs.org.uk Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 2

3 The objective of the BRC movement is to assist and encourage those interested in the horse and equitation, to improve and maintain the standard of horsemanship and to seek to preserve and develop public riding facilities. BRC is governed by a democratically elected National Executive Committee (NEC), that meets up to four times a year. The NEC is the policy-making Committee of the BRC. For administration purposes, BRC divides the UK into 23 Areas. Each of the BRC Areas elect a National Representative who sits on the NEC, together with a limited number of other nominated individuals who may have expert knowledge in, for example, training or health and safety. NEC members serve for terms of three years. The Chairman and Vice- Chairman s term of office runs for two years with other NEC members running for three. Three Sub-Committees meet up to three times a year. The BHS Board of Trustees is legally responsible for BRC finances. The BRC budget is self-contained and the reserves are in a designated fund to be used for BRC purposes only. BRC is administered by a small team based at the BHS offices in Stareton, Warwickshire. This head office carries out the policies made by the NEC and the three Sub-Committees. There is also a large volunteer network across the UK. 3 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

4 Contents What is a Riding Club Centre? 5 How Does a Riding Club Centre Work? 6 How Much Does Centre Membership Cost? 6 The Benefits of Riding Club Centre Membership 7 What Happens Once Your Application is Approved? 7 Insurance Cover for the Club Activities 8 How do Riding Establishment Members become Centre Members? 8 How Many Members Have to Join? 9 How is the Club Organised? 9 What Sort of Activities Should be Organised? 10 Some Great Ideas for Activities from other Riding Clubs 11 How Much Should be Charged for Activities? 13 Working with the BRC Representative and Local Riding Clubs 13 What Competitions does BRC Offer to All Members? 14 National BRC Competitions Available to all Members 15 BRC Training and Assessments 16 The BRC Areas Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 4

5 What is a Riding Club Centre? A Riding Club Centre is a riding establishment that has applied and been accepted as a suitable base for an affiliated British Riding Club. Currently only BHS Approved riding establishments may apply to become Riding Club Centres. Both Adult (18 years and over as of 1st January) and Junior Clients of the riding establishment can then join British Riding Clubs as Centre Members. These Centre Members can participate in all of the riding club activities organised by the Proprietor of the Riding Club Centre. These activities may include: Instruction - mounted Non-mounted Instruction e.g. stable management, talks and demos BRC Examinations Competitions e.g Interdressage Fun and social events All Centre Members can also participate in BRC Area Qualifiers for the BRC National Championships. The awarding of Riding Club Centre Membership status is to enable clients (primarily who do not own their own horse) to participate in the BRC movement. It is not awarded just as a means of adding to the normal commercial activity of the riding club (although if the riding club is run well, the scheme may well add to the earning capacity of the riding school and create more loyalty amongst your exisiting clients). 5 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

6 How Does a Riding Club Centre Work? Firstly the riding establishment joins British Riding Clubs as a British Riding Club Centre. Clients join the Riding Club Centre to access all the benefits of BRC The riding establishment will then run a variety of training, competitions and other events for clients to take part in using the riding establishments horses and ponies. How Much Does Centre Membership Cost? The annual membership fee is 10 (as of 1st January). This is paid directly to British Riding Clubs and is renewable annually. A reminder will be sent to each Member. All Riding Club Centre activities will be charged for. The cost of these are at the discretion of the Riding Club Centre Proprietor, but are usually very competitively priced. Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 6

7 The Benefits of Riding Club Centre Membership So why set-up a British Riding Club Centre at your Riding Establishment? It s simple... Give your riders an extra incentive to stay local to you for longer, as they progress further with their riding. Being part of a British Riding Club offers them something more to aim towards and adds to their overall riding experience. Gives them a supportive club atmosphere and more competitive opportunities. Create a competitive advantage for your business over non-bhs Approved establishments - this scheme is only open to BHS Approved Establishments. What Happens Once Your Application is Approved? Once the initial Centre Membership Application Form is received and approved by BRC Head Office and the local BRC Representative, you will receive a Contract Letter. This Contract Letter states the terms and conditions of Riding Club Centre Membership. You will be sent a Centre Membership Pack to help get you off to a good start. It will include copies of the individual Membership Application Form Copies of BRC Rider Magazine One BRC Information Folder for your Club Room (reception, coffee area) BRC Rule Book, One BRC Examinations Booklet and one BRC Guidelines for Organising Official Competitions Booklet 7 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

8 One wall plaque to display, showing that you are an approved British Riding Club Centre Details of your BRC Representative in your local area Insurance Cover for the Club Activities Please note that membership of the British Riding Clubs Centre Membership Scheme does not convey any benefits of the British Riding Clubs SEIB third party liability insurance scheme to your affiliated British Riding Club members. You therefore need to ensure that you have adequate third party liability insurance to make sure you are covered for all situations. Contact your existing third party liability insurance provider to discuss your requirements. We will require evidence of your insurance cover prior to taking part in BRC competitions How do Riding Establishment Members become Centre Members? Each of your clients who is a potential new member, should be given a Membership Application Form (provided in the Starter Pack). Each individual member who joins pays a membership fee of 10 a year. The membership year runs from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. There are no refunds for a part year or late joining after Jan 1st each year. Membership is renewable annually. A reminder will be sent directly to the member at their home address. The individual member sends their Membership Application Form and payment direct to BRC Head Office. BRC Head Office enrols each member on our central database and then sends the BRC membership card directly to the member. Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 8

9 How Many Members Have to Join? A Riding Club Centre can run with any number of members so long as the individuals have paid their 10 membership fee to BRC Head Office. How is the Club Organised? The Centre Membership Scheme works really well when the riding establishment has frequent communications with their clients to promote the scheme and provides a full regular programme of riding club activities - including social, non-mounted and training events plus competitions. If possible, it is advisable for the riding establishment to appoint a member of staff as a Co-ordinator to ensure the smooth running of the riding club centre. This gives continuity and provides the clients with a person they can refer to. The riding establishment staff member should be responsible for: Keeping records of which clients have been approached to join Communicating with clients on benefits of joining to encourage sign-up Making sure the Information Folder is displayed and application forms are distributed to clients Developing the Programme of Activities (events diary) for the riding club centre - for the next 3 to 6 month period as this helps to encourage attendance and client interest. Some Riding Club Centres also look to involve the club members who show an interest in helping to run the club and organise activities. 9 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

10 As the Proprietor of the riding establishment, you will need to regularly spend time planning and running the programme of activities to run your Riding Club Centre effectively, to make sure you continually create interest and a great experience for your members. This will ensure that members actively participate in the club and renew their membership each year. Making your clients aware of and keeping them updated on what your riding club is offering, is key to its continued success. All Riding Club Centres will also be listed on the BRC website to assist in attracting new members. What Sort of Activities Should be Organised? It is a requirement that Riding Club Centres run a suitable programme of activities, including: Instruction - mounted Non-mounted instruction - Stable management / talks / demos BRC Examinations Competitions e.g Interdressage, inter centre Fun and social events BRC National Championships - Area Qualifiers are held in each BRC Area (see p15 for more details) Local affilated riding club events will also be open to your Centre Members and vice versa (if you wish to do so). This is why it is a good idea to attend the local Area Liaison Committee meetings, as this will ensure that you get to know other riding clubs in your area and what events they are running. BRC Areas also organise training and other social events - see p13 for more on working with the BRC Representative and other riding clubs. Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 10

11 Some Great Ideas for Activities from other Riding Clubs Mounted Activities / Instruction: General flatwork Lunge lesson - client being lunged by instructor Schooling / riding to music. Musical ride / Quadrille How to lunge the horse correctly Dressage test practice how to improve your score from the judge Jumping general practice with practice over a course Jumping - gridwork Jumping simulated cross country using show jumps (to create arrow heads, angles, water tray for ditch) / Preparing to ride Cross Country session things to consider, differences to show jumping environment Style Jumping - what the judge is looking for Showing - how to ride an individual show, judges tips, ring craft BHS Ride & Road Safety Examination Side Saddle - have a go (if suitable equipment / horses available) Guest Instructors well known trainers/ celebrity speakers to teach at your riding school Horse Simulator to improve rider s position (if you have one or one available to hire locally) Pleasure ride - pub or beach ride in summer Club Camp week / weekend just like Pony Club days! Show jumping - course building or how to walk a course Competitions: Instructional Dressage ride a test, have it judged and marked, then have a short lesson on how to improve your score, and then re-ride test BRC & Interdressage League - see p14 BRC Riding Tests, BD Tests, Dressage to Music / Quadrilles BHS TREC, arrange an Arena TREC Competition Combined Training dressage and show jumping Eventers Challenge / Mini Prix either Dressage with SJ and XC indoors/outdoors - over working hunter style jumps for XC course Eventing team of 3: 1 rider does the dressage phase, another rider the show jumping and the final rider the cross country phase Cross Country pairs - following or side by side Style Jumping (formerly Equitation Jumping) - BRC & Interdressage League Clear Round Jumping / Fancy Dress Jumping Horse & Hound Relay two courses (side by side) the horse jumps the course, followed by the dog (over a smaller course) and handler 11 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

12 Themed Show Jumping - Christmas (Olympia style), Hickstead Gymkhana - even adults enjoy this old favorite! Centre Points League / Centre League competitions Talks & Demos: Celebrity talk / demo Saddle fitting General Stable Management Principles of Feeding (major equine feed companies such as NAF and Baileys will do free talks for clubs. Just call their Feed Helplines for more info) How to treat minor wounds, First Aid for horses and people, vet talk Alternative therapies - Equine Massage, Aromatherapy, Shiatsu, Reiki Natural Horsemanship techniques Correct rider and horse clothing for competitions (I.e. cross country) Confidence coaching - how to tackle riding fears / competition nerves Hacking safety and rules of the road / reflective clothing and its uses Equine psychologist, behaviouralist Stable vices and how to prevent them / how to create a natural environment for the domesticated horse Shoeing - different types and their uses Equine Dentist Equine security - horse, tack & equipment, stables and trailers Look in local tack shops / feed merchants, as people providing equine services such as equine dentists, often advertise there, and will usually do a demo or talk for free to help publicise their services. Social & Fun: Club Launch Evening, Open Day Quiz night Bingo night BBQ, Club meals and Club Dinner Dance for Christmas Auction of Promises in aid of a local charity Dismounted Grand Prix dressage (performed on foot imagine an adult trying to do piaffe and flying changes! You could even do proper dressage score sheets with prizes for the best efforts, etc). Interdressage also have Dog Dressage Tests! Gymkhana on foot! Trailer reversing competition Ladies Night (sorry chaps) night of pampering for busy horse riders! Group outing to demos/ clinics and equestrian events such as Badminton and Burghley HT, HOYS, Hickstead or Olympia Treasure Hunt - on horseback or by car Bring & Buy tack sales Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 12

13 How Much Should be Charged for Activities? Charging for Riding Club activities is at the discretion of the Centre Proprietor. However, it is polite to offer travel expenses if using an external judge or BRC examiner. Working with the BRC Representative and Local Riding Clubs The BRC Representative is a volunteer who is there to provide information and support alongside the BRC head office. You will also have the opportunity to attend BRC Area Liaison Committee meetings, so you can find out what your BRC Area has planned in terms of Area Qualifier competitions, Area training and social events (normally all your club members are welcome to attend these). This is important particularly if your clients would like to compete at a regional level and then if successful, progress to the BRC National Championships. You will be sent full details of your BRC Representative in your Starter Pack. You will need to pay the appropriate fee for the BRC Area Liaison which is normally in the region of 50p - 1 per member. It is useful if each Riding Club Centre can develop a relationship with the BRC Representative and also other affiliated riding clubs in the local area. This has many benefits such as: Judges and examiners can be recommended and shared/swapped Combined riding and non-riding events can be held to save costs or perhaps fund a more expensive accredited trainer or celebrity speaker Social events can also be combined or inter-club competitions Perhaps facilities at your Centre can be made available at a fee, to other clubs in your Area for Area Qualifier competitions, training and demos. 13 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

14 What Competitions does BRC Offer to All Members? British Riding Clubs & Interdressage British Riding Clubs and Interdressage have formed a British Riding Clubs & Centres League, which is available online at: On this site you will find all the tests and rules for the league. The league will run throughout the year, it has been designed to encourage more riding club centre members to give dressage a go by making it possible for them to ride their tests in a relaxed manner from the comfort of familiar surroundings. The tests just need to be videoed and submitted to Interdressage for judging. All that is required is a level surface with markers. The league has a specific Riding Club Centre category, with the leading points Individuals and Centres winning top prizes. Competitors entering the League will automatically be entered into the monthly Interdressage competitions and have the chance to compete internationally for further: Fantastic Prizes and Rosettes Generous Prize Money Superb Achievement Certificates Positive and Constructively Marked Score Sheets Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 14

15 National BRC Competitions Available to all Members Often one of the key reasons clubs affiliate and want to be part of the BRC Movement is the fantastic competitions structure we have. BRC offers National Championships in all the major riding disciplines, for both Junior and Senior members. Which disciplines are covered? BRC holds the following National Championships every year: April Winter Championships - Hartpury May Royal Windsor Horse Show, Top Score Show Jumping & Dressage June Cross Country and Showing at the Festival of the Horse (FOH) - Aston le Walls July: Teams of Three Show Jumping - Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead Aug Horse Trials - Swalcliffe Park Equestrian Sept Show Jumping, Style Jumping, Dressage, Riding Test, Showing - Lincoln Sept Eventer Challenge - Blenheim Oct Dressage to Music & Quadrille Selection - TBC Dec Quadrille - Olympia Horse Show How do Clubs/Centres Qualify for the Championships? As we split the country into 23 Areas, each Area holds a Qualifier for each competition. The top Teams and, where applicable, Individuals by Area, then progress to the National Championships for that discipline, except for; FOH Showing Classes, Teams of Three Show Jumping, Eventer Challenge and the Quadrille, which are normally entered directly. How do you enter? Schedules are placed on the BRC Website and can then be downloaded, you can now also enter online. You must make a Preliminary Entry to the BRC Head Office, with the appropriate preliminary entry fees. These must reach us by 30th June or by 21 days prior to your Area Qualifier, whichever comes first. 15 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

16 For each Preliminary Entry made to the BRC Head Office, an entry is also made to the Club organising the Area Qualifier Competition, together with an entry fee. The area entry fees are set out by your Area Liaison Committee. Qualifiers from Area Competitions will be contacted by the BRC Head Office and given the information on the relevant Championship and how to enter. For more information and dates of this year s National Championships please visit the BRC website at: BRC Training and Assessments BRC Assessments are compatible with those of the BHS Examinations Department, making the transition from our amateur assessments to the professional qualifications more appealing and accessible. Their primary aim is to raise the level of knowledge and practical application on a progressive scale, in both equitation and horse welfare. If you pass your Equitation 3 with Jumping and Horse Welfare 3 Exam, you will be able to gain direct entry into BHS Stage 3. The administration fee for each BRC Examination is 10 per candidate, payable to the BRC Head Office. The organiser may charge an additional fee to cover their costs. When your centre affiliates, you will receive a copy of the BRC Training Handbook, this book provides information for your centre on how to run exams, the full syllabi are listed along with examiners contact details. The full list of BRC Assessments can also be found on the BRC website at: Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 16

17 The BRC Areas... The Riding Club Centre Membership Scheme has been supported by funding from The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and Sport England. 17 Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together

18 Rider Magazine c British Riding Clubs 2012 No copying of any part of this publication is permitted. Ride Together Train Together Compete Together Have Fun Together 18

19 Part of The British Horse Society For more information about British Riding Club Centres please call: Tel: Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2XZ