SCCHA Club Membership Rules

The Showgrounds is intended for members' activities with horses. Members should have horses with them when using the facilities unless they are attending a club meeting, other event or volunteering. These exceptions apply: parents or others supervising juniors with horses; individuals in a family membership who accompany family members with horses; trainers or horse care professionals helping clients with their horses. Trainers, horse care professionals, and their clients must be members.

Camping is exclusively for members and guests who wish to remain overnight with their horses.

All members, guests, and group/event participants are to comply with SCCHA rules as stated in this document. Members are responsible to know existing rules and review any updated rules prior to going on the showgrounds. Members and group/event leaders are responsible for the actions of accompanying participants. Adult signature below acknowledges that they take responsibility to make sure the minor/s, that they are responsible for, understand and follow these rules. The SCCHA Board of Directors reserves the right to revoke membership (without refund) and/or deny entrance to Showgrounds if any person or group/event does not comply with these rules. In case of a dispute, members may contact the Board of Directors to interpret a rule or arbitrate a dispute. Rules will be enforced as follows:

1st offense: Board of Directors is notified; offender receives a copy of this document with precise rule circled

2nd offense: Offender must appear before the Board of Directors or lose all rights to use of Showgrounds & Facilities.

3^rd offense: Offender loses all membership privileges and all rights to use of Showgrounds & Facilities.

These offenses are cause for immediate loss of membership and expulsion from grounds:

• ¨      ANY PERSON ENGAGING IN VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE TOWARDS ANYONE
• ¨      INTOXICATION FROM ALCOHOL OR OTHER SUBSTANCE
• ¨      INHUMANE GEAR OR ACTIONS TOWARD ANIMALS ON THE GROUNDS
• ¨     NON-COMPLIANT BEHAVIOR DEEMED SEVERE BY A MAJORITY OF BOARD MEMBERS
• ¨     SMOKING ON THE SHOWGROUNDS PREMISES IS PROHIBITED

 ACCESS

1.  MEMBERSHIP The membership year runs April 1 through March 31.
◆       Single Membership authorizes only the individual listed on his/her application to use the Showgrounds.
◆       Family Membership is limited to 2 adults and dependents under 18 residing in a same single household. Only those whose names are listed on the membership application are considered members. Children under 18 must be supervised at all times by an adult member.
◆       Junior Membership authorizes only the individual junior member (between the ages of 8 and under 18 years of age) listed on his/her application to use the Showgrounds when accompanied by an adult member.

2.  CARDKEYS

Cardkeys are purchased by NEW Single & Family memberships and function as long as their membership is kept current. They provide access through the front gate, to bathrooms and showers. To open entry gate, put cardkey right up to scanner [to the left of the entry gate approach] to trigger the gate opener. Gate opens automatically upon exit. Do not loan cardkeys to anyone or leave cardkey by front gate for use by others.

3.  PARKING PERMITS

MEMBERS: Parking Permits/Stickers are valid through the membership year.  Place them on the windshield of the vehicle. 

GUESTS: All Guest vehicles must have a temporary Guest Parking Permit placed on their passenger side dashboard immediately after entering the Showgrounds. (See below.) Unidentified vehicles may be towed at owner's expense.

4.  GUESTS

(a)  Anyone accompanying a Member to the Showgrounds who is not listed on the member's application form is a GUEST. An adult member may have up to 2 guests  effective 4/24/23, up to 4 guests are allowed per member. This is a trial through the summer when this change will be reviewed. when at the showgrounds. Guest vehicles or motorhomes need a Guest Parking Permit placed in their windshield, available at kiosk. It is a member’s responsibility to make sure their guest knows and follows all of SCCHA’s Rules.

•   Guests visiting for the day: each guest must sign a liability waiver and club rules upon entry to the grounds. Any guest involved in any horse activity or remains on the grounds for more than two hours must pay a day use fee of $10, sign the waiver of liability and sign the club rules.
•   Guests staying overnight: each guest staying overnight must pay an overnight horse camping fee of $10 per person and $15 per horse per night, sign the waiver of liability and sign the club rules. (Overnight guests do not pay day use fee.)
•   Remit fees and waiver: make checks payable to SCCHA; cash is acceptable. Completed forms and fees must be deposited at the camping area bulletin board (kiosk) in the black mailbox immediately upon arrival at the showgrounds or provided by email prior to arrival.  Members pay for their guests camping in advance, when an invoice is given when you make a reservation.
•    Guests found with dog(s) off leash could be asked to leave the grounds immediately.

(b)   MEMBERS ARE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR GUESTS following rules, paying fees, signing waivers, and displaying Guest Parking Permits immediately after entering the showgrounds. Failure of guest to sign waiver & rules may result in revocation of HOST’s membership privileges.

RULES GOVERNING GROUNDS USE

1. Inappropriate behavior including under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not permitted on the grounds and person may be expelled.    INTOXICATION WHILE ON GROUNDS MAY CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP.
2.   Any inhumane gear or actions toward animals on the grounds is cause for immediate dismissal.
3.   Jumping requires approved helmet, with chin strap in place and appropriate saddle. It is mandatory to wear a helmet.
4.   Junior/s & Minor/s must wear helmets when on or near a horse. Helmets are mandatory and must be ASTM/SEI approved, except for equestrian vaulting.
5.   For an adult, it is highly recommended to wear a helmet when on or near a horse. Be advised that wearing an ANSI/ASTM Certified (or equivalent) may reduce the severity of some of the wearer’s head injuries and possibly prevent the wearer’s death from happening as the result of a fall and other occurrences.
6.   It is highly recommended to wear appropriate footwear when on or near a horse.
7.   If there is no scheduled event in an arena, it may be used on first-come first-serve basis, with 30-minute limit if others are waiting.
8.   Damage to SCCHA property or Showgrounds must be reported immediately to a Director or Caretaker. See website for contact information.
9.   Dogs must be on leash at all times, no exceptions. A “dog on leash” is defined as a dog safely attached to a leash with a handler or securely tied and supervised by a person. Please keep dogs out of arenas. And, at all times, pick up after your dog.
10.  No cutting of any trees or wood on the grounds.
11.  No smoking.
12.  No locking or reserving paddocks without scheduling and paying for paddock reservations.
13.  Horses may not be left loose on the grounds. Turnout in large arena or round pen (if not in use). No turnout in small arena.
14.  Horses are not to be left alone/unattended at any time.   Horses must have full time, adult supervision. This includes horses that are left behind when others go on trail rides.
15.  Don't run or trot horses in parking areas, campground, or around people on foot.
16.  Tie horses to hitching racks or trailers ONLY:  DO NOT TIE to fences, arena panels or directly to trees.
17.   No off-highway motorized vehicles. Bicycles, motor bicycles, or any wheeled off-road vehicle except on the access roads or service roads are prohibited. Bicycles must be walked through the grounds (for access into the park) on paved road only, away from horses.
18.   No Parking within 50 Feet of the Cowell Subdivision. No parking on the ADA pathways.
19.   Park cars, rigs or RVs at least 15 feet from the base of any tree.  Do not park inside of the tie-rail or in front of equipment.
20.   Whisper quiet generators may operate in the area along Graham Hill Road between 6 am and 10 pm. Please minimize their use. No water or electrical hookups to RVs or other Vehicle. An exception is made for vehicles that are authorized to park in the ADA designated space at the Clubhouse; they may use water and electrical.
21.   Put cans and bottles in recycling bins or haul away. Pick up litter and deposit in trash container.
22.   Manure and bedding must be cleaned from all paddocks and areas used and must be taken to the manure bunker; never scattered in the trees or elsewhere. Don’t muck out trailers in parking areas. Wheelbarrows and rakes are provided for your convenience.
23.   Be extremely fire conscious. Wood-burning fires and charcoals  are not permitted. Only propane grills may be used for cooking purposes. Use the large, outdoor propane grill; or the Weber BBQ on the patio alongside the clubhouse. All propane grills must be elevated off the ground and need a minimum of 15 feet of clearance from all combustible material (including structures, dry grass, tree limbs and dry leaves on the ground). Propane Firepits are allowed and require an adult member present at all times who assumes the responsibility associated with a potential fire in addition to the same requirements as above. The Adult Member ensures a Portable Fire Extinguisher (minimum 2A10BC), bucket of water, hose, or bucket of dirt or sand is readily available. SCCHA reserves the right to restrict propane fire pits during specific events or certain times of the year. Members will follow Fire Marshal precautions and extinguish the firepit immediately if asked by a Scotts Valley Fireperson, a SCCHA Board of Director or the SCCHA caretaker. Members must use their own propane tanks.
24.   Prior to coming on the grounds, the latest rules published on the website must be reviewed, understood and abided by. Bring appropriate gear/supplies to the grounds.
25.  Members and guests must act in accordance with any COVID State & County mandates, should they exist

ADDITIONAL RULES GOVERNING HORSECAMPING

Camping is exclusively for members and guests who wish to remain overnight with their horses. 

1.      Members coming to camp overnight MUST register themselves and guest(s) at  https://sccha.wildapricot.org/Camping-Reservations   Members camp free when they use paddocks on a first-come first-serve basis.  Guests pay horse camping and/or day use fees.

2.      Camping is confined to the area north of the paved road  (Cowell side) only, unless approved by SCCHA Board for large events.

3.     Horses are not to be left alone/unattended at any time.   Horses must have full time, adult supervision. This includes horses that are left behind when others go on trail rides.

4.      No overnight camping or parking within 100 feet of the fence along the adjacent subdivision.

5.      No noise or lights after 10:00 p.m.

6.      Camping is limited to a maximum of 4 consecutive days.

7.      The 46 paddock use is on a first-come first-serve basis. If you plan on camping, check the current newsletter events calendar or website (www.SCCHA.wildapricot.org) to see if the grounds or any of the paddocks have been reserved for an event.

RULES GOVERNING TRAINERS & HORSE CARE PROFESSIONALS

1.      Trainers & Horse Care Professionals must be SCCHA members in order to use the grounds to work with clients unless a clinic is scheduled and fees are paid. Horse Care Professionals include (but are not limited to) hoof care practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and masseurs.

2.      Trainers & Horse Care Professionals may NOT work with NON-MEMBERS or guests at the showgrounds. Those found working with non-member clients risk immediate loss of membership privileges.

3.      Trainers & Horse Care Professionals must follow each of the rules herein and trainers must also abide by rules in the SCCHA Trainer Policy (separate document). To comply with the club’s insurance mandates, trainers must submit a precisely worded certificate of insurance and must wait for confirmation of receipt and accuracy of certificate from the board prior to training at the showgrounds.

4.      Veterinarians have access to grounds to deliver care to a member’s horse, or to administer urgent care to any horse.

RULES GOVERNING GROUPS OR EVENTS AT THE SHOWGROUNDS

Any group activity held on the grounds must be scheduled through the SCCHA calendar secretary. See current newsletter for contact information. All participants of meetings, work days, groups and events must comply with all SCCHA rules. Group/event leaders are responsible for the actions of their participants. The grounds must be picked up during the event and thoroughly cleaned within 48 hours of the event.

PLEASE NOTE: There are only a few events each year that may interfere with an individual member's use of the showgrounds. If such an event is taking place when you arrive, you may not be able to use the grounds.

revised 9-2022