Grey County Riders Operating By-Laws.

1.  A Grey County Riders membership, waiver and medical  form is necessary in order to participate in a show or event with horses present.     
2.  Pre registration and payment is required by the Thursday 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 clasess or sidepots.  Additional classes must be paid before the beginning of the class.  Please note:  no day of entry for jackpot classes is allowed.
3.  Refund policy:  After the deadline (Thursday 12noon before the Sunday event) if a competitor cancels for any reason they may receive a refund of class and sidepot entry fees only.  Membership and jackpot 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 executive and/or the judge 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 compete in up to six classes per day with the exception of lead line classes.  For lead line horses may compete in up to six classes.  A horse may not compete 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 lead line 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 patterns.  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.  a) 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.
        b)all cigarette, vaping, smoking of any kind must be done nine (9) metres from any common areas (ie:booth)
11.  All attendees on the show grounds must support a family friendly environment.  ie: no swearing etc.  Treating everyone with respect is a MUST.  Failure to do so will result in being asked to leave the premises and any competitor(s) associated will lose all accumulated points.
12.   a)any humane legal type of bit or hackamore may be used.  Two (2) or more executive or the judge present 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)legal tie-downs are permitted and MUST be PROPERLY fitted from nose to girth.
       e)hackamores are permitted in all classes with the proper headstall (which includes a legal throat latch and curb strap) and MUST be fitted properly
       f)the responsibility of the correct and proper fitting tack/equipment rests with the competitor
13.  a)Show attire: boots with heel, jeans in good repair, button up collared shirt or a Grey County Riders tee short or tank top
       b)Grey County Riders requires anyone 18 years and younger to wear a properly fitting ASTA/SEI approved helmet as by Ontario law.  Anyone over the age of 18 is strongly encouraged to wear a ASTA/SEI approved helmet.  Failure to comply will result in disqualification.  Please note nothing is allowed under said helmet
       c)two or more executive and/or judge present reserve the right to assess a participants attire
       d)the responsibility to wear the correct attire is the responsibility of the competitor
14.  a)in any event, any excessive use of spurs, over-unders, crops, whips or motivators will result in a disqualification, a loss of points and/or jackpot moneys at the discretion of the judge and/or two (2) or more executive members present.  In gaming classes, the rider may use ONE of the following: spurs OR over-under OR crop motivators up to three (3) times to the end of the ring and three (3) times runing home.
       b)juniors are NOT permitted spurs in any event
       c)any competitor not using spurs properly will be asked to remove them or be disqualified from that class>
15.  If you opt to wear a cowboy hat, there will be a 5 second penalty added to your tie if your hat comes off and falls during your run.  Additionally if your hat falls off you will no longer be allowed to wear this hat.  No other type of hat is permitted.
16.  Any club member lodging a protest must do so in writing or email and send to greycountyriders@gmail.com before the end of the show day.  Your protest will be reviewed at the next executive meeting.  Protester will be informed of this meeting ate.
17.  a)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 tntitled.  This also applies to anyone associated with the competitor
       b)any harassment of the judge, volunteers or executive will result in the authorities being called.  If authorities are called you will no longer be allowed to compete at Grey County Riders.  Any and all persons involved with the above rule will be asked to leave and said competitor will lose any and all points and monies that would have been previously given.
18.  Stallions may be shown only in our senior division
19.  The executive 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)in open jackpot or rookie barrels any knock down is a disqualification
          d)in open jackpot or rookie poles any knock down will be a 5 second penalty per knocked pole down
          e)for all other events please see posted patterns and rules
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/judge present will not be allowed to continue participation in the show. No refund will be issued 
                     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. A vet report may be requested for competitor to continue. 
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 and/or judge 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 (2) or more executive members and/or judge 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.  a)elastics securing a rider's feet to the stirrups are not allowed by anyone
        b)participants under the age of 18 are not permitted 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:
                                              *1st 35%, 2nd 23%, 3rd 18%, 4th 14%, 5th 10% and points will be received accordingly
                 *jackpot payout is subject to change based on executive discretion
                *NOTE: rules for rookie jackpot barrels:
                               if you enter and your time at the show is 20 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 disqualification
                            :rules for rookie jackpot poles:
                              if you enter and your time at the show is 29 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.
NOTE: YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE OF EACH JACKPOT (either open jackpot or rookie jackpot)
               
              
          
                                                                                                                    Update April 6, 2026