Membership Terms and Conditions

1. Indemnity

In consideration for being permitted to participate in any way in horse sport activities, I, the undersigned, understand, acknowledge and accept that:

• Horse sports are a dangerous recreational activity and horses can act in a sudden and unpredictable (changeable) way, especially if frightened or hurt.
• There is a significant risk that serious INJURY or DEATH may result from horse sport activities.
• I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, and I voluntarily PARTICIPATE at my OWN RISK and assume sole responsibility for any injury, death or property damage I may suffer that arises from my participation in horse sport activities.
• I understand and acknowledge the dangers associated with the consumption of alcohol or any mind altering drugs before and during the activities and I take full responsibility for any injury, loss or damage associated with their consumption. I agree not to drink alcohol or take drugs prohibited by law before or during any horse sports activities.
• I agree to follow the directions of any event organiser or official and that any misconduct or refusal by me to follow any direction of any organiser or official can result in the CANCELLATION of my participation in the activities and my immediate removal from my horse NO MATTER where that may occur. I understand that any such non-compliance may result in injury, death and/or permanent disability as a result of my failure to comply. I agree to wear a helmet at all times whilst participating in the sport where this is required under the relevant EFA and FEI rules and regulations, and agree that I am solely responsible for ensuring that whilst participating I wear a suitable helmet at all times where required under the relevant EFA and FEI rules and regulations, and take sole responsibility for my actions.

For Participants of Minority Age (Under Age 18) the parent/guardian with legal responsibility for the participant, acknowledges, understands and accepts ALL OF THE ABOVE and consent and agree to my minor child's involvement or participation in horse sport activities.

The Samford Equestrian Group (SEG) aims to protect the safety and welfare of its junior participants in our sport.

• Under no circumstances do the SEG allow any photographer access to a child for personal or unsupervised photo sessions.
• The SEG will not publish the full names of children appearing in any published material without prior parent or guardian consent.
• The SEG will only use images of children when so authorised by the children's parent or guardian for publication within our SEG Website, Newsletter & Media / Promotion.
• I hereby give permission for photographs of my child to be taken at this event. I hereby give permission for SEG to use any photographs in their publications as outlined above.

2. General Code of Conduct

All SEG Members or persons required to comply with the SEG Member Protection Policy must meet the following requirements in regard to their conduct and behaviour during any activity held or sanctioned by SEG, and in any role held within SEG

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealing with others.
• Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.
• Make a commitment to providing quality service.
• As an affiliated club, be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to Equestrian Australia standards, rules, regulations and policies that cover the equestrian disciplines the club offers to our members.
• Scrupulously avoid any conduct using privileged information to gain a personal or commercial advantage.
• Operate within the rules of the sport including national and international guidelines which govern Equestrian Sport, the member associations and the affiliated clubs.
• Do not use your involvement with SEG to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of Equestrian Australia.
• Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under the age of 18 years, as your words and actions are an example.
• Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under the age of 18years, wherever possible.
• Refrain from any form of harassment of others.
• Refrain from any behaviour that may bring SEG into disrepute.
• Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity.
• Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured.
• Be a positive role model.
• Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of the SEG Member Protection Policy.
• Read and agreed to abide by the Samford Equestrian Group Social Media Policy.

3. Social Media Policy

(The Samford Equestrian Group Social Media Policy is guided by the Equestrian Australia (EA) Social Media Policy and The Communications Council best practice guidelines.)

Samford Equestrian Group (SEG) promotes responsible use of social media and requires its members, when posting about the SEG and its members or EA or club endorsed, promoted or conducted events or activities, to observe the following guidelines for responsible social media use:

• Defamatory, disrespectful and hateful comments about individuals or organisations will not be tolerated.
• Representatives must not bring EA, Samford Equestrian Club or the sport of equestrian into disrepute.
• The use of obscene language and threatening comments targeted at an individual or organisation will not be tolerated.
• Comments which are contrary to the spirit and integrity of sport will not be tolerated.
• Comments made on social media must abide by EA’s Code of Conduct and are in line with EA’s Member Protection Policy, specifically:
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others
  • Refrain from any form of harassment of others
  • Retrain from any behaviour that may bring EA, its member associations or affiliated clubs into disrepute.
• Principles of integrity and privacy and impartiality should be observed when posting online.

The Samford Equestrian Group

• wishes to operate in an environment where people show respect for others and their property. Respect is defined as consideration for another’s physical and emotional well being and possessions, to ensure no damage or deprivation is caused to either.
• wishes to operate in an environment that is free from harassment. Harassment is defined as any action directed at an individual or group that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment. (Refer to Australian Sports Commission Guidelines for Harassment-Free Sport)
• wishes to operate in a non-discriminatory environment. Respect the right, dignity and worth of every human being - within the context of the activity; treat everyone equally regardless of gender, ethnic origin or religion.
• promotes responsible use of social media and requires its members, when posting about the Club, its members or EA or club endorsed, promoted or conducted events or activities, to observe the following guidelines for responsible social media use.

SEG requires that members must take responsibility for their own words and for the comments allowed on their sites or forums. Samford Equestrian Group members will not post unacceptable content, and will delete comments that contain it. Unacceptable content is defined as anything included or linked to that:

• is being used to abuse, harass, stalk or threaten others
• is libellous, knowingly false, or misrepresents another person
• infringes upon a copyright or trademark
• violates an obligation of confidentiality
• violates the privacy of others
• members don’t post anything online that they wouldn’t say in person.
• Unless it is a positive comment, Samford Equestrian Group members should connect privately before they respond publicly. When members encounter conflicts and misrepresentation in social networking sites, they make every effort to talk privately and directly to the person(s) involved– or find an intermediary who can do so–before publishing any posts or comments about the issue.
• Samford Equestrian Group will not tolerate personal attacks. When someone who is publishing comments that are offensive, members will tell them so (privately, if possible–see above).
• Anonymous comments are not permitted. Authorized posters may identify themselves with an alias, rather than their real name.
• If there is a link attached to the post, does the link work, ensure you have read the information it links to and judged it to be an appropriate source. If reposting information, check the original poster is an individual or organisation that Samford Equestrian Group would be happy to associate itself with.

Samford Equestrian Group prefers members not to respond to nasty comments about them, their group, event or site. If posts veer into abuse or libel Samford Equestrian Group first considers the use of disciplinary and grievance procedures to resolve issues.

Samford Equestrian Group encourages all members to “think before posting”. Members should recognise that even if posting to a private section of a social networking site, comments can appear in public areas through a variety of means and can easily be found. Members should avoid posting something they will regret now or later.

Breaches

Samford Equestrian Group reserves the right to remove posts or content on official Samford Equestrian Group groups, forums or where Samford Equestrian Group or its committee is mentioned or as described here in without consent or consultation if the content is obviously as described above.

Samford Equestrian Group has the right to issue the member with a take- down notice. Members who are found to not comply with a take-down notice will face disciplinary action. Serious and/or repeated breaches of this policy could lead to disciplinary action. If any disciplinary action is taken, persons directly affected shall be given the opportunity to participate in those proceedings and the right to appeal against any decision against them.