By entering our premises, you agree to abide by the following terms and conditions which are subject to change without notice:
1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1 Parents must drop off and pick up riders under the age of 11 from inside the centre.
1.2 Non-rider children are to be under the supervision of an adult at all times and must be kept away from the horses.
1.3 Any non-rider (including but not limited to parents, grandparents, children, extended relatives and friends) who choose to stay and watch must avoid doing any of the following:
(a) talking to riders during classes;
(b) enter any stable, arena or zone where lessons or camps are being conducted (‘riding zone’); and
(c) enter any horse paddocks.
1.4 No food is to be taken into the riding zone or given to any horse without the supervision of a GCEC coach.
1.5 Smoking is not permitted inside the centre at any time.
1.6 Dogs, excluding assistance dogs, are not permitted inside the centre without the prior consent of GCEC.
2. MEMBERSHIP
2.1 All riders are entitled to a trial lesson before being offered membership with GCEC.
2.2 The membership fee must be paid annually in advance and is non-refundable.
2.3 Members must attend at least one (1) lesson per week during Queensland school terms as published by the Department of Education (‘Term’). Bookings must be made in advance for the entirety of each Term.
2.4 Membership will commence on the day of the first lesson, and includes the following incentives:
(a) reduced fees;
(b) priority bookings to lessons;
(c) onsite competitions; and
(d) holiday camps.
3. PAYMENT OF FEES
3.1 Members must pay for each lesson which has been booked in accordance with clause 2.3.
3.2 If payment is received for an entire Term in advance, the Member will receive a discount on their fee at the time of payment.
3.3 Payment plans may be organised upon enquiry with the front office. Acceptance of a payment plan is at the discretion of GCEC. In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and a payment plan entered into by a Member, these Terms and Conditions will prevail.
3.4 In the event a Member has fees owing for their lessons, they will be unable to participate in any upcoming lessons until he fees owing have been settled. Any lesson which a Member cannot attend due to overdue fees will still be charged to the Member.
3.5 In the event of late payment, interest on the amount outstanding will be charged at 8% per annum from the date the monies are overdue until payment is received in full.
4. CANCELLATION OF LESSONS BY GCEC
4.1 Lessons and other riding activities will continue to operate in all weather conditions. GCEC will only cancel lessons and other riding activities if the conditions are so severe that they impact the ability to ride safely (such as thunderstorms).
4.2 If during the course of the day GCEC considers it unsafe to ride, GCEC reserves the right to deliver theory and/or play games indoors in lieu of riding.
4.3 In the event lessons are cancelled and alternative activities are not suitable, as determined at the sole discretion of GCEC, an alternate date for lessons to be conducted will be offered. No refund will be payable by GCEC for the cancellation.
5. CANCELLATION OF LESSONS BY RIDER
5.1 GCEC must be informed as soon as possible if a rider is unable to attend a lesson.
5.2 Even if a lesson is cancelled in advance, a Member will be charged for each riding lesson throughout the course of a Term unless they provide a medical certificate explaining their absence:
5.2.1 If a medical certificate is provided, an alternative lesson will be offered if a suitable date and time is available. No refund will be payable by GCEC.
5.2.2 The Member acknowledges and agrees that payment for cancelled lessons, even if lessons are cancelled in advance for the balance of a Term, represents a genuine representation of the damages which will be incurred by GCEC as a result of a cancellation.
5.3 A Member may cancel their membership by informing GCEC in writing that they do not intend to continue lessons for the following Term. Such cancellation must be received no less than 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the next Term. Unless a request for cancellation is received, these Terms and Conditions will be automatically renewed for the following Term.
6. PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF RULES
6.1 All riders are requested to arrive 10 minutes prior to their allocated booking time so that gear and any paperwork can be finalised. Registration must be completed at the front office.
6.2 In order to avoid horse injuries as a result of a missed warm-up, riders who arrive more than 5 minutes after the commencement of a lesson or trail ride will not be able to participate in the lesson or trail ride. No refund will be payable by GCEC for the missed lesson or trail ride.
6.3 Member riders under Canter 3 Level and/or under the age of 11 can only enter the riding zone and horse paddocks with the permission of a GCEC Coach.
6.4 If parents are running late to pick up their children, they must contact GCEC by telephone to inform us. The latest time for picking up a child is 15 minutes after the end of class.
7. DRESS CODE
7.1 All guest and tourist riders (i.e. non-members) must wear an appropriate and clean outfit that consists of the following:
(a) long pants (leggings or stretch jeans) that must not have holes in them;
(b) high socks that cover ankles;
(c) fully enclosed shoes with a flat sole and small heels (boots, school shoes and sneakers are acceptable – some boots are available to borrow but we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available); and
(d) sleeved shirts (no singlets or halter tops) that must not have holes in them.
7.2 All Member riders must be dressed in the riding school uniform that consists of the following:
(a) black riding boots and half chaps;
(b) breeches (horse riding pants);
(c) GCEC polo shirt (no singlet);
(d) a level 2 body protector which must be approved and fitted by a GCEC staff member prior to the commencement of each lesson; and
(e) a helmet that meets the latest health standards which must be approved and fitted by a GCEC staff member to the commencement of each lesson.
7.3 GCEC reserves the right to refuse to proceed with a lesson or trail ride if inappropriate clothing is worn for the lesson or trail ride. No refund will be payable by GCEC for the missed lesson or trail ride.
7.4 Body protectors are compulsory for all junior riders and adults under Canter 5 level and any rider participating in jumping.
7.5 If they are available, helmets and body protectors may be borrowed by riders for their trial ride or first Term of riding only.
7.6 If GCEC, in its sole discretion, considers a helmet or body protector brought by a rider does not meet health and safety standards, GCEC may refuse to proceed with a lesson or trail ride. No refund will be payable by GCEC for the missed lesson or trail ride.
7.7 No jewellery is to be worn at any time.
7.8 All hair must be pulled back and away from the face.
7.9 No mobile phone devices are to be taken into the riding zone or horse paddocks.
8. RIDING POLICY
8.1 At all times while participating in a lesson or other activity, all riders must:
(a) stay calm when in proximity to any ponies or horses;
(b) not feed a pony or horse unless supervised by a GCEC staff member;
(c) not run or play ball games without being instructed to do so by a GCEC staff member;
(d) show respect to the animals, coaches, helpers/volunteers and fellow riders;
(e) listen to the directions given by coaches; and
(f) not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
8.2 If a rider or any person related to the rider conducts themselves in a manner that is considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of GCEC, its management, staff or customers, or fails to comply with the facility’s rules and regulations, their lesson will be terminated without refund and they will be escorted from the facility.
8.3 It is prohibited for riders to ride alone and without another person who can act in the event of an emergency.
8.4 Horses will be picked out by GCEC coaches based on the safety, height, weight and competency of a rider. As such, GCEC is unable to guarantee that a suitable horse will be available for any given rider on any given day.
8.5 For health and safety purposes, the maximum weight of a rider as allowed by GCEC is 90kgs. This weight limit may be lowered depending on the horses that are available on the day.
9. COMPETITIONS
GCEC may organise competition courses throughout the year for riders of all levels.
9.1 The competition fee must be paid in full prior to the day of competition in order for a rider’s place to be confirmed.
9.2 The competition fee is non-refundable unless a medical certificate is provided. If a medical certificate is provided, credit will be issued for the next competition.
10. HOLIDAY CAMPS
Holiday camps are available to all riders. Members have priority enrolment in the holiday camps. Holiday camps can only be run with a minimum number of riders. Please ask staff for further information.
10.1 Holiday camps must be paid in full and in advance in order for a rider’s place to be confirmed.
10.2 The holiday camp fee is non-refundable unless a medical certificate is provided. If a medical certificate is provided, a credit will be issued for the next camp.
