Grey County Riders Operating By-Laws.

1.  A Grey County Riders membership and waiver form is required and must be completed prior to riding at any 
      event, due to liability.     
2.  Pre registration and payment is required by the Friday at 12noon before the Sunday event.  Any entries submitted 
      after the deadline are subject to approval by the executive and a late fee of $25 will apply.  No day of entries will
      be accepted with the exception of already registered competitors adding additional classes.  Additional classes
       must be paid before the beginning of the class.  ***Jackpot classes are an exception***
3.  Refund policy:  After the deadline (Friday 12noon before the Sunday event) if a competitor cancels for any reason
      they may receive a refund of class entry fees only. Membership jackpot and sidepot entry fees are not refunded.          If  the event is cancelled by the executive pre-entered/paid competitors will receive a refund or a credit for the               next show.  Other refund requests will be reviewed at the next executive meeting.
4.   If you and/or your horse fall during your class during your active time, you will be disqualified.  If you fall off
      before the timer starts or after the timer is stopped, there is no disqualification.  Regardless of when you fall
      (including the warm up ring or outside the ring) you and your horse must be assessed before being allowed to
      continue to compete.  All falls will be reviewed by two (2) or more executives present.  If you or your horse fall
      twice in one day, you will be dismissed from the remainder of your classes for the day regardless.
5.   A horse may enter up to six classes per day with the exception of lead line classes.  A horse may not enter
      more than once in the same class.  This rule applies to jackpot classes as well.  For example:  a horse may go in
      junior barrels and senior barrels, and once in the open jackpot barrels, and could be used for leadline events.
6.  Points are awarded to horse and rider together as a team
7.  When horses enter or exit the ring they must be in control or they will be disqualified.  Please note that the
      entrance gate is a gate NOT a chute.  Gate must be closed after the competitor enters the ring before starting
      their pattern.  These are grounds for disqualification
8.  A competitor is allowed assistance to get their horse in the ring, however the "helper" must exit the ring before
      the competitor crosses the start timers.  If the helper fails to do so, this will result in a disqualification for the
       competitor
9.  Anyone mounted on a horse must be a club member.  This applies to any event in or outside the ring at the      Markdale location.  A waiver is required along with payment in full.
10.  No alcohol consumption, no recreational and/or illegal drugs are permitted on show property.  As well no
       attendees may enter show grounds under the above influences at any event.  Executive reserves the right to 
       call the legal authorities
11.  A)Any humane legal type of bit or hackamore may be used.  Two (2) or more executive have the authority to remove or alter any equipment.
        B)Curb chains: all legal leverage bits require a legal curb strap or chain that must be at least 1/2" in width and 
            must lay flat against the horse.  In a western headstall any "o" ring, "D" ring or egg butt snaffle must have
            a curb strap.
         C)No wire tack, no matter how padded, including but not limited to nose bands, bridles and head setters
             will NOT be allowed at Grey County Riders events. 
          D)The responsibility for the correct attire of the rider and the tack equipment of the horse rests with the
               competitor.  A proper fitting saddle with stirrups is required.
           E)Legal tie-downs are permitted and MUST be PROPERLY fitted from nose to girth.
12.  Show attire:  boots with a heel, jeans in good repair, button up collared shirt in good repair.  Any Grey
        County Riders tank top or tee shirt may be used by adult riders instead of the collared shirt. Riders under
        18 years of age are required to wear a helmet by law.  Competitors over 18 years of age are strongly
         encouraged to wear a helmet.  Failure to comply may result in disqualification. 
       law.  Two (2) or more executives present reserve the right to assess a participant's attire. 
13.  In any event, any excessive use of spurs, over-unders, crops, whips or motivators can result in a
       disqualification at the discretion of two (2) or more executive members present.  Any excessive use will result
       in loss of points and/or jackpot monies, to be determined by two (2) or more executive present
14.  If you opt to wear a cowboy hat for games, there will be a 5 second penalty added to your time if your hat comes 
       off and falls during your run.  No other type of hat is permitted.
15.  Any club member lodging a protest must do so in writing or email, sign it and give it to an executive member 
        before the end of the show day.  Your protest will be reviewed at the next executive meeting.  Protestor will
        be informed of this meeting date.
16.  Executive decisions made during any event are final.  Any person attempting to influence or interfere with
       the executive decision(s) may result in loss of points and/or jackpot monies, to which he/she was otherwise
       entitled
17.  To be considered an executive member you must attend  50% or more of all meetings before the 1st (first)                       show of the current year and volunteer at 50% or more of shows or ride nights of the current year.
18.  Stallions may be shown only in our senior division
19.  The show committee reserves the right to change the running order of classes
20.  All lead line competitors must remain at a walk or trot only and cannot enter any other classes.  Lead line
       horses must have a halter and lead with the lead attached to the halter NOT the bridle.  You may have one 
       leader and up to two (2) side walkers.  Lead liners are not permitted to ride in the warm up ring
21.  Any competitor off pattern in a class will be disqualified.  This applies to all classes.
         A) in barrels any knock down of a barrel will be a 5 second penalty per knocked barrel.  Three barrels
              down is a no-time.
         B)in poles any knock down of a pole will result in a 5 second penalty per pole down.  Four poles or more
             down is a no-time
         C)any knock down in a jackpot event is a no-time
          D)for all other events please see posted patterns
22.  Horses and competitors must be fit, competent and in good health before they are allowed to compete.  Any                    horse or rider deemed unfit or unsound at any point during the event by two (2) or more executive present will
        not be allowed to continue participation in the show. 
                     A) Fitness and competence- Participation in competition must be restricted to fit horses and riders 
                          proven of competence
                      B) Health Status - NO horse showing symptoms of disease, lameness, or significant ailments should 
                           compete or continue to compete if it's welfare would be compromised
                      C) Doping and Medication - Abuse of medication and doping is a serious welfare issue and will NOT
                           be tolerated.  After any veterinary treatment, sufficient time must be permitted for the horse's 
                           recovery before competition. 
23.  All participants are responsible for the behaviour of their horse(s) while on show grounds.  Any horse deemed
        out of control at any time by two (2) or more executive members present may be subject to a warning and/or 
        disqualification from the show.
24.  The practicing of any obstacle before a class may result in disqualification of that class
25.  Any act of abuse while on show grounds is grounds for disqualification by  two (2) or more executive members             present and you will be asked to leave the premises.  Executive reserves the right to call
       the legal authorities.
26.  Due to bio-security hazards, attendees are required to take their garbage and manure home or they will be
       subject to a $25.00 fee.  Failure to pay this fee will result in a loss of points and further registrations will not
       be allowed.
27.  Due to insurance restrictions, participants under 18 years of age cannot use elastics or anything that harnesses
        them to the saddle. 
28.  Grey County Riders adheres to the following Grey Highlands by-law:
                 Dogs:  No owner of a dog shall allow or permit such dog to run at large in the municipality of Grey
                             Highlands.  For the purpose of this by-law a dog shall be deemed to be running at large when found
                             in any place other than the premises of the owner, and not under the physical control of any
                             person by means of a leash held by said person.   Failure to adhere to Grey Highlands by-laws will 
                             result in the authorities being contacted and/or being asked to leave the grounds.
29.  Payout breakdowns:
              *An option to carry over times to jackpot runs for barrels and poles is offered (pay to enter your time
                from your age division, but do not actually run your horse)
              *Jackpot payouts are as follows:
                                              *over 20 entries: 1st 35%, 2nd 23%, 3rd 18%, 4th 14%, 5th 10%
                                              *under 20 entries: 1st 50%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20%
                 *jackpots will not run if less than 5 entries
                 *jackpot payout is subject to change based on executive discretion
              *carry over time to senior horse barrels side pot-horse must be 16years and older as of January 1st of 
                the current year.  Proof of horses age may be requested.  (pay to enter your time from your age division
                but do not actually run your horse)
               *any sidepot we chose will be paid out as follows:
                                                 *if over 10 entries: 1st 50%, 2nd 30% and 3rd 20%
                                                 *if over 5 entries: 1st 60%, 2nd 40%
                                                 *if under 5 entries: 1st 100%
                   *side pot payout is subject to change based on executive discretion
                  *NOTE: Rules for Rookie Jackpot Barrels: If your enter and your time at the show is 19 seconds or less, 
                     will no longer be allowed to compete in the rookie division at any future shows.  Your time will be 
                     considered for that day only.  Any knock down will be considered a DQ. 
                                 Rules for Rookie Jackpot Poles:  If you enter and your time at that show is 28 seconds or less, you
                      will no longer be allowed to compete in the rookie division at any future shows.  Your time will be 
                      considered for that day only.  Any knock down will be considered a DQ.
                      NOTE: YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE OF EACH JACKPOT (either open jackpot or rookie jackpot) 
          
                                                                                                                    Update May 13, 2025