SHENANDOAH RIDING CENTER
Liability Release Form
Disclosures and Warnings
Serious injury may result from horseback riding.
The Shenandoah Riding Center does not guarantee the safety of its guests.
This is an agreement and covenant to release Shenandoah riding center, JUSTIN AND LINDLEY LEAHY, LEAHY SPORTHORSES INC., ALL OF THEIR AGENS, THE GALENA TERRITORY ASSOSICATION, its board of directors, officers, employees, committees and volunteers and from liability to the activity including, but not limited to, jumping, hunting, eventing, cross country, riding lessons, or other similar activities.
You are releasing valuable and important rights by signing this document and it is critical that you read and
understand the terms of this release. By signing this release you are stating tht you understand its terms and agree
thereto.
Under the Illinios Equine Activity Liability Act, each participant who engages in horseback riding or other equine activities expressly assumes the risk of engaging in said activities and assumes legal responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from said equine activities.
I hereby agree to the following:
1. I agree to read this release and I will ask any questions I may have until I certify, by signing this form, that I understand the terms and conditions hereof and I agree to such terms and conditions.
2. In consideration for my being allowed to participate in horseback riding, I, for myself and my heirs, assigns, and personal representatives, do hereby covenant not to sue and do hereby release Leahy Sporthorses Inc., Justin and Lindley Leahy and all of their agents, Shenandoah Riding Center, The Galena Territory Association Inc. and its Board of Directors, officers, employees, committees, and volunteers, and Frank Leist Farms from ALL liability and waive any claim for damages arising from any cause whatsoever in that I assume all risks related to all equestrian activities referenced herein or in which I participate at or through the Shenandoah Riding Center, including property damage.
3. I hereby covenant to indemnify and hold Leahy Sporthorses Inc., Justin and Lindley Leahy and all of their agents, Shenandoah Riding Center, The Galena Territory Association Inc. and its Board of Directors, officers, employees, committees, and volunteers, and Frank Leist Farms or any other person harmless of damage or injury caused by my horse or myself due to my riding or the action of my horse or arising out of my riding or the action of my horse and as part of any equestrian activity described herein.
4. I understand that equestrian sports are extremely dangerous. There is a high probability that I may fall or otherwise have an accident that will injure me severely. I understand that many people have been killed engaging in equestrian sports. I specifically assume full responsibility for such a possibility.
5. I understand that the physical facilities, such as jumps, the tack which I use to ride a horse, and ALL physical facilities used with equestrian sports can contribute an accident causing injury and death. I covenant that I will inspect to my full satisfaction all such facilities and I will assume responsibility for patent and latent defects of other involvements of such physical facilities in any accident causing injury or death. I covenant that I am capable and competent to conduct an inspection of the physical facilities.
6. I understand horses, even the most tame of horses, are inherently dangerous as they shy, buck, or otherwise act unpredictably in a manner which may cause accidents, injury, and death. I covenant that I am competent to ride horses in the equestrian sport in which I am engaging and I assume full and total responsibility for the horse I am riding, bystanders, other horses, and other riders.
7. I know there is an Equine Activity Liability Act that is a law in Illinois. I certify that I have been advised that a copy of that law is posted at Shenandoah Riding Center, that I have read that law and that I fully understand that law.
8. I understand that the Shenandoah Riding Center is a division of a not-for-profit corporation and I agree that lawsuits violating this release are burdensome and unwarranted and I specifically agree that if I file a lawsuit against Leahy Sporthorses Inc., Justin and Lindley Leahy and any of their agents, Shenandoah Riding Center, The Galena Territory Association Inc. and it's Board of Directors, officers, employees, committees, and volunteers, and prevail in that lawsuit that I will pay all attorney fees, court costs, and other litigation costs incurred by Leahy Sporthorses Inc., Justin and Lindley Leahy and all of their agents, Shenandoah Riding Center, The Galena Territory Association Inc. and it's Board of Directors, officers, employees, committees, and volunteers, and in defending such a lawsuit.
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RISKS OF ENGAGING IN HORSEBACK RIDING
Horseback riding is an inherently dangerous activity involving significant elements of risk including, but not limited to, serious bodily injury, permanent trauma, paralysis and even death. Horses, irrespective of their previous behavior or characteristics, may act or react unpredictably based upon instinct, fright, or lack of proper control by the rider. I understand that the following describes some, but not all, of the risk, dangers or conditions inherent in horseback riding: (1)the propensity of a horse to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around them; (2)the unpredictability of a horse's reaction to sounds, sudden movement, and unfamiliar objects, persons, other animals, or other things; (3)certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions; (4)collisions with other horses or objects including the ground, fences, gates, trees, or other obstacles; (5)a falling horse landing on its rider; (6)being stepped on, kicked, trampled or bitten by a horse; (7)hanging up or otherwise becoming entangled in the stirrups, reins, or other gear; (8) the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the animal or not acting within his or her ability.
B. PARTICIPANTS RESPONSIBILITY
I understand that I have the sole individual responsibility for knowing the range of my own ability to manage, care for, and control a particular horse, and I understand that it is my duty to act within the limits of my own ability to maintain reasonable control of the particular horse or horses at all times, to heed all posted warnings to ride in an area or in facilities designated by the horseman, and to refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone. I am physically and mentally capable of participating in horseback riding. I will not use or be under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs while participating in horseback riding.
C. EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY
I expressly assume the risk and legal responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to me or my property that results from participation in horseback riding or any other activity offered by the Shenandoah Riding Center. I agree to assume full responsibility for the risks identified herein as well as those risks not specifically identified. I expressly assume full responsibility for property damage and personal injury or accidents of every type and degree including, but not limited to, sprains, torn muscles and/or ligaments, fractured or broken bones, eye damage, cuts, scrapes, contusions, concussions, paralysis, neck and/or spinal injuries, shock, and death, and any resulting expenses.
D. AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT
I hereby authorize any medical treatment deemed necessary in the event of any injury to me while participating in horseback riding. I either have appropriate insurance or, in its absence, agree to pay all costs for medical services as may be incurred on my behalf.
E. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR OFFERING
I have been offered protective headgear (including a helmet) by the Shenandoah Riding Center and understand that
the wearing of such headgear, while mounting, riding, dismounting, and otherwise being around horses, may prevent
or reduce the severity of some head injuries and may even prevent death as the result of a fall or other occurrence. I
understand that protective headgear provided by Shenandoah Riding Center may not be a perfect fit for each rider's
head and that, once provide, I will be responsible for securing the helmet on my head at all times.
Mark and "X" below in the box before the statement which describes your choice to wear, or not
wear, protective headgear provided by the Shenandoah Riding Center.
NOTE: No one under the age of eighteen (18) will be permitted to ride without protective headgear.
[ ] PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR ACCEPTANCD
[ ] PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR SELF-PROVIDED
[ ] PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR REFUSAL
If any provision of this agreement is found to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or by an arbitrator or panel of
arbitrators, all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Illinois, including the Equine Activity Liability Act, 745 ILCS 47/1-47/25
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS STATED HERIN AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE BINDING UPON ME (AND THE MINOR CHILD OR CHILDREN WHOM I HAVE CUSTODY) AND OUR HEIRS, ASSIGNS, PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVES AND ESTATES.
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Print Name of Rider
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Signature of Rider Age Date Signed
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Signature of Parent or Guardian Date Signed