Section 1. The trail riding activities will be of pleasure and trail rider type.

Section 2.Any person who is a member in good standing of the Maine Trail Riders, regardless of residence and where the horse is stabled, and who participates in the trail rides which are sponsored by an organized riding club, organization, or individual, and affiliated with the MTRA, will be eligible to compete towards the Annual Awards.

Section 3. The trail ride sponsor must be affiliated with the MTRA, through an organized horse club.

Section 4.

A. No affiliation fee will be required. MTRA members will pay a $3.00 fee per Senior rider and a $2.00 fee per Junior rider. A $1.00 per senior rider will be applied to the loan principle at the end of the year. Non-members my make a donation to be used toward the Annual Awards. Application must be in sufficient time to be poster in the Hoofbeats Prior to the ride. Effective January 1999

B. There will be only one (1) MTRA affiliated ride per calendar date. The date for any affiliated ride is on a first come, first served basis through the Trail Secretary.

C. Notice of an affiliated ride will be published with the monthly meeting notice of the MTRA prior to the ride, and will indicate the person to contact for detailed information.

D. A list of all participants on the ride must be forwarded to the MTRA Trail Secretary within seven (7) days after the last day of the ride. An official sign-up sheet which contains an indemnification agreement binding the signer to the constitution and rules of the MTRA, relinquishing the MTRA and sponsor from any contingent liability and/or compensation. Parent/Guardians must sign up for minors and accompany them on that ride. Effective October 1999

F. To allow a greater Variety of riding areas, a ride sponsor will be limited to sponsoring no more than 2 weekends per riding season. Effective January 1996

Section 5. All affiliated trail rides will be held between January^st and December^st of each year. Effective January 1998

Section 6. A junior member may sponsor an affiliated ride by co-sponsoring with a senior club member. This senior club member will be responsible for overseeing that the junior properly sets up the affiliated ride. Effective January 1996

Section 7. All affiliated trail ride sponsors must pay the MTRA Trail Committee Secretary, within seven (7) days of the completion of the ride, an assessment of $3.00 per senior rider and $2.00 per junior rider for MTRA member. Non-members may make donations. This money will be used for the purchase of Annual Awards and other trail riding activities that are recommended by the Trail Riding Committee and approved by the Board Of Directors.

Section 8. Affiliated MTRA Ride-a-thons are optional donations, not mandatory.

Section 1. Riding hours will be tallied. In order to have your tallied hours count, you must ride a minimum of 2 hours on the scheduled ride. If you leave the ride before it ends, you must notify the trail boss and/or the sponser. Trail rides must cover a minimum of four (4) hours riding time (see exception in section 4). Time will be rounded to the nearest half hour. A contestant may not qualify more than one horse per ride.

Section 2 An affiliated trail ride should have the following properly identified officials: Trail Boss, Assistant Trail Boss, several outriders, and a first aid person to tend to riders and horses.

Section 3. All affiliated trail rides must have an approved first aid kit capable of treating horses and riders; in addition, six outrider vests should be worn. The MTRA Trail Secretery will provide provide these to the sponser of the ride and they will be returned to the MTRA Trail Secretary or the next affiliated sponsor. The sign-up sheets and fees collected will be returned to the MTRA Trail Secretary.

Section 4. Sponsers must be prepared to take riders out regardless of the weather unless wheather is severely prohibitive and a rain date has been prior approved by the MTRA Trail Secretary. Rain dates can only be scheduled for the following day. If a minimum of two (2) hours is ridden, a ride can be discontinued due to inclement weather by the sponser and still count as an affiliated ride.

Section 5.

A. On all MTRA affiliated rides, it is strongly suggested that all horses and ponies be shod, but is not mandatory.

B. If the Trail Boss and/or member(s) of the Trail Riding Committee deem a horse not fit to start or complete the ride, (this includes any indication of a communicable disease) the rider will be asked to leave in order to protect the health & welfare of the other horses. Effective October 1999

C. Stallions on rides affiliated with or sponsered by the MTRA will be ridden only by riders eighteen (18) years of age or older. Stallions or any other horses that constitute a hazard to other horses and riders may, at the discretion of the Trail Boss and/or member(s) of the Trail Riding Committee, be asked to leave the trail ride or to travel at the rear of the ride if they wish to continue.

D. Horses or ponies that kick should have a red warning ribbon on their tail.

Section 1. A. Annual Awards will be based on total riding hours accumulated during affiliated rides. Medallions will be awarded for the following: 16-31 riding hours earns a Bronze Medallion
32-63 riding hours earns a Silver Medallion
64 + riding hours earns a Gold Medallion
This will give a better opportunity for all riders to gain recognition for their participation.
B. A copy of the year end results will be filed with the MTRA Secretary.
C. Once horse and rider combination has completed 16 hours in one riding season, and is a current MTRA member, that same horse and rider combination can accumulate from year to year, working toward a special plaque, to be awarded after 125 hours has been ridden.
D. Once horse and rider combination has ridden a minimum of 250 hours another plate will be added to the original plaque and at every 250 hour interval thereafter.
E. Once horse and rider combination has reached 500 hours they will also receive a special recognition award in addition to the plate.
F. Once horse and rider combination has reached 1000 hours they will also receive a special recognition award in addition to the plate. Effective January 1999
G. Once horse and rider combination has reached 2000 hours they will also receive a special recognition award in addition to the plate. Effective January 1999
Section 2.
A. MOST RIDES (same horse and rider), add rider and horse9s name to plaque displayed at clubhouse.
B. SPORTSMANSHIP (one individual each year that has done the most for the club in that year), add individual's name to the plaque displayed at the clubhouse. The BOD's will take at least 3 nominations from the general members and the members will vote at the Banquet. Once you have received this award, you are not eligible for another 5 years. Effective January 1999
C. Each ride sponsor will receive a recognition gift.
Section 3. Funding
A. Award expenses will not exceed revenues accumulated from ride participation.
B. Any money left over after purchasing awards, will be applied to the following year awards.