Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club Risk Management Plan

Introduction

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Terms of reference and disclaimer

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Club Activities and events

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Major Environmental Risk Plans

p5-6

Weather
Fire
Biosecurity
General

p7-8

Riders and horse handling participants

Gear and Equipment
Equines
Non-equines
Spectators and non-riding participants
Organisational Safety

p9-10

Insurance
Coaching
Equipment
Activity Organisation and preparation
Event Organiser
First Aid

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Officers
Training
First Aid Kit
Forms- Attachments (available online by Gow Gates, via EA)
Safe Equestrian Poster
Event Day Inspection Form
Serious Injury Report Form

Introduction:
The Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club (TARC) formed in 1997 and is incorporated under the
Incorporations Act 1991 of the ACT. It is a horse riding club for adults over the age of 18
years. TARC was formed for the purpose of fostering an interest in the care and training
of horses through the conduct of club training days, clinics and seminars conducted by
local and visiting specialists in the equestrian field. The club was also formed to provide
active competition to test riders training of their horses. The club shares grounds with
the Kambah Pony Club (KPC) in the suburb of Kambah ACT.
Terms of Reference
In preparing this Risk Management Policy the TARC Committee takes note of the various
requirements for the conduct of events of:
Equestrian Australia (EA)
International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
ACT Equestrian Association (ACTEA)
Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC)
Australian Trail Horse Riders Association (ATHRA- NSW Branch)
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
Standards Association of Australia
where applicable.
Risk management is an integral part of good event management, particularly in higher-risk sports
like Equestrian.
Risk Management is all about identifying those risks associated with the Clubs activities that may
result in injury to another person or damage to their property. It is then the process the Club puts in
place to either remove the risk or minimise the risk to an acceptable level.
Organisations that invite people to participate in their activities have a responsibility to ensure that
these activities are free from risk of injury and are as safe as reasonably possible.
Equestrian Australia has detailed rules and regulations that govern the way in which
the sport will be controlled in Australia.
It is imperative that all clubs, committee members, coaches, officials, volunteers, members and
others that participate in the sport, are fully aware of these rules and regulations and ensure that
they are adhered to in the sports administration and participation.
It is also vital that all members of the Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club Inc are fully aware of their
requirements.
As the club is for Adult riders who are responsible for the equines in their control they are viewed as
being capable of managing and preventing risks to a greater extent than riders under 18 years. This
is taken into account in the development of this document.

Disclaimer
This plan intends to provide for a reasonably safe environment for people and horses. It must be
recognised, however, that the handling and riding of horses is a dangerous activity and can result in
serious injury and loss.
Neither the Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club Inc , nor any member of the Tuggeranong Adult Riding
Club Inc Committee, accepts any responsibility for any loss or damage suffered
by any person.
All persons who handle or ride a horse, or who attend any premises at which the
Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club Inc is conducting an event, do so entirely at their own risk.

Club Activities and Events.

As an active Adult riding club the Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club provides a wide variety of Equine
related activities for members and EA registered riders.
This includes but is not inclusive of:
Club days incorporating

Dressage
Jumping
Hacking
Obstacle Courses
Ground horse handling (including lunging and leading)
Information sessions
Sporting and mounted games
Team riding activities
Trail riding (including led and timed trail rides and endurance style activities)

Event days incorporating

Dressage
Jumping
Hacking
Obstacle Courses
TREC
Ground horse handling
Information provision
Sporting and mounted games
Team riding activities
Club camps (including trail riding and camping with horses)

Club Meetings are held at the Tuggeranong Vikings Club venues or the KPC grounds or private
residences.
Information evenings are held at various venues such as halls or community centres.

Major Environmental Risk Plans

Horse riding is generally undertaken outside and is a year round activity.
The clubs activity is directly affected by environmental conditions and this is important when
considering the health and safety of riders, equines, judges, stewards, volunteers, spectators and
coaches.
Weather
As equines can be affected by climactic conditions, this will be considered as part of the clubs policy
by the event organiser.
If temperatures and conditions are too wet or windy or there are thunderstorms that may cause
safety issues, this must be assessed by the event organiser and events cancelled or modified for the
safety and health of equines and other participants.
As part of this plan, surfaces should be safe for riding and if waterlogged or damaged due to
weather, a safety assessment should be made and events cancelled or modified to prevent safety
issues.
Extreme heat/cold can cause distress to equines and health issues for participants in club activities.
This also should be assessed and activities modified or cancelled in extreme conditions.
Fire
Tuggeranong Adult Riding Club uses a variety of venues in and around the region for club days,
events camps and trail rides. For this reason, assessing the fire risk in the case of any activity is
essential.
If there is potential for a catastrophic fire danger warning to be issued during an event, the event
organiser must consider this in continuing to proceed with the event. In high fire danger the safety
of the type of event must be considered. Advice from NPWS and local fire brigades is highly
recommended in the event of fire risk.
Events must be cancelled if a catastrophic danger warning is issued.
The movement and evacuation of horses in the event of fire is complicated and highly risky.
Decisions made to cancel events in advance are preferred.
Event organisers must be aware of fire hazards at particular venues and prepare for evacuation in
event of a fire.
Traffic control and parking are important in ensuring fire safety is undertaken, therefore it is
important to ensure that exits are available to all traffic and that participants understand the need
to follow organisers directions in case of fire evacuation. In preparing for an event organisers should
consider evacuation requirements when developing a traffic control system for the event.
In the case of food preparation and camping using fire or other heat sources, there should be
appropriate fire safety measures undertaken and the club should provide fire extinguishers as
appropriate.
The use of electric fences should be discouraged in high fire danger periods.
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Biosecurity
The club currently collects Property Identification Code numbers from all members attending club
days and collects PIC numbers from competitors attending competitions via Global Entries Online.
This system ensures that the club can track horses that have attended their events in case of a
biosecurity issue.
All members understand the importance, through club education in newsletters and at club days,
that it is important to only attend events with healthy equines. At events competitors are asked to
withdraw if their equines are unwell.
Stewards and committee members are aware of issues of biosecurity and are prepared to contact
veterinary and medical assistance in the case of suspected biosecurity risk to equines or humans.
As this is a developing risk management area the club stays abreast of requirements via ACT
Equestrian Association and Equestrian Australia and is willing to modify biosecurity measures as
required by governing bodies.

General
Riders and horse handling participants
All people participating in events must sign a waiver ensuring they understand the issues of safety
regarding behaviour around equines and safety regarding participation in equine events.
Gear and Equipment
Riders must at all times wear appropriate safety helmets to the current standard as outlined by the
EA.
Boots must be appropriate for the activity being undertaken and if footwear other than heeled
riding boots is worn while riding saddle must be fitted with safety stirrup cages.
Clothing should be safe for the activity and not attach (or be at risk of attaching) horse and rider.
When competing cross country, riders should wear a current standard back protector as per EA
guidelines.
Equines
Should be presented for club activities in good health and soundness.
The saddle, bridle and other tack should be appropriate for the activity and in safe working order.
Gear must be suited and fitted to the equine being ridden and provide adequate control for the
activity being undertaken.
Stallions should be bitted at all times when involved in activities and should display either a green
disk or blue tail ribbon for identification.
Equines should be suited to their handler/rider and if considered by the event organiser or coach to
be unsuitable for the handler/rider they must be withdrawn from the activity for the safety of all.
When not involved in activities, equines should be appropriately tied or yarded and all care should
be taken to prevent loose horses at any time. If a horse should become loose while activities are
being undertaken, all participants in control of a horse should stop until horse is back under control
or at a safe distance.
Non-equines
Non-equine pets are discouraged to attend club events.
Dogs are not permitted on grounds during club days or competitions.
Spectators and non-riding participants
Should sign a waiver where appropriate and understand the basic safety requirements of attending
equine events.
Children should only attend club events as spectators and if under the age of 10 should be
supervised by a non-riding adult at all times.

Children are welcome to attend open events but should attend appropriately supervised at all times.
As TARC is an adult riding club it does not provide appropriate supervision or opportunities for
children, so it is recommended they do not attend.

Organisational Safety
Insurance
The committee must ensure that the club is insured via the EA for all activities that are undertaken
at all club events.
Coaching
Coaches should provide the club with a certificate of currency ensuring they have appropriate
insurance to undertake coaching of members.
Coaches should provide safe activities appropriate to the level of riders.
Equipment
All equipment being used should be in good working order.
Jumping equipment should meet EA guidelines and should be set up by an appropriately qualified
coach or judge/course builder.
Equipment used for sporting and games should be inspected for safety and used appropriately.
Obstacle courses should be safe and not contain equipment that could catch on a horse or its tack or
cause injury to an equine or rider.
Gear and equipment used for food preparation and cooking should meet health and safety
standards.

Activity Organisation and Preparation

The event organiser ensures activities are suitable for participants and appropriate space is provided
to ensure activities do not conflict.
The grounds should be inspected prior to activities being undertaken and steps taken to ensure
surfaces, fencing and facilities meet the requirements of the activity.
Event Organiser
The event organiser is responsible for completing the risk management checklist and ensuring the
appropriate steps are undertaken to ensure the best safety outcomes for all involved.
For each club event an event organiser should be nominated. In the event of a nomination not being
made, the role will fall to the club day organiser nominated at a committee meeting, then the
president or vice presidents and appropriate committee members.
Nominated Event Organiser to complete the Event Risk Management Checklist (see Forms) and
forward to the Club's Secretary to retain for Audit purposes and any follow-up investigation or
remedial action.

Members should at all times follow directions and decisions made by the event organiser for the
safety of all involved.
First Aid
Officers
Where appropriate a First Aid Officer to be present at club organised events. Club to
identify holders of current First Aid Certificates and to offer financial assistance for any
member wishing to undertake a First Aid course.

Training
Committee to appoint an appropriately trained safety officer to provide risk management training
for club members at least once a year or as required.
Committee to assist financially members who are willing to act as first aid officers for club events to
maintain their first aid qualifications.
First Aid Kit
Club to make available a First Aid Kit for use at all events.
First Aid kit to be checked 6 monthly and maintained by first aid officers.
Club to make available an equine first aid kit to be available at all club activity days where equines
are present.

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