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Policies, Rules, Info,& Rates
Table of Contents
CARA Philosophy…………………. 2
CARA Facility ……….……………...2
CARA Staff………………………….3
Barn Safety & Conduct……………...5
Sportsmanship……………………….6
Arena Riding Rules………………….7
Lesson Requirements………………..7
CARA School Horses……………….8
Boarder Information…………………8
Horses in Training…………….……10
Horse Shows/ Events……………….11
Programs……..........………………..13
Recommended Reading…………….14
CARA Rates and Conditions……….14
CARA Philosophy
The mission of CARA is to provide quality equestrian experience by assuring the highest professional training, positive motivation and reinforcement in a friendly safe environment. We believe that a quality sports program can enrich a person’s life experience and is an excellent means of building strength, flexibility, coordination and confidence.
CARA Facility
· Located on 10 acres with stabling for 29 horses, CARA is devoted primarily to Dressage, Eventing, and Basic Riding. The facility’s two all weather footing arenas can each accommodate regulation size dressage arenas and will be equipped with automatic sprinklers. The covered dressage arena is lighted. CARA is owned and operated under the direction of Ulrich and Dorie Schmitz. Rounds are made each night after closing and someone is on the property at all times to ensure the safety of the horses.
Ø Hours of Operation: 6 am to 8 pm Tuesday thru Friday
6 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday
Closed on Mondays
At closing riders should at the very least be getting off of their horses. Please
Do not Schedule routine veterinarian, farrier, or other appointments on Mondays.
Entrance: We welcome visitors. For the safety of horse and rider the property is completely fenced. The gate at Rattlesnake RD is to keep horses in and is unlocked during business hours. Please close the gate IMMEDIATELY after entering and leaving.
Ø Messages: Messages left on the CARA phone will be picked up everyday with the exception of Sundays and Mondays. These calls will be returned at our earliest opportunity. Messages are checked for emergency calls.
CARA Staff
Ø Uli Schmitz
· Uli received his equestrian training in Germany, where he successfully competed in dressage, show jumping, three day eventing and was awarded the German Riding Medal. Uli continued his career as a competitor after moving to Canada. He earned distinction as a dressage judge under the Canadian Dressage Federation. Uli added event course designer, dressage clinician to his equestrian skills in Florida and Arizona. He has shown through the Grand Prix level. Uli is an International FEI “I” Event Judge. He is also an USAE “S” Dressage Judge as well as an USAE Sport Horse Judge. Uli has the USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Rider Medals. .
Ø Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz
· Dorie has a degree in Animal Science from the University of Arizona. She won the Carl Heinrich Asmis United States Equestrian Award which allowed her to train in Germany under Herbert Rehbein, five-time German Professional Dressage Champion. Dorie has shown and is currently competing through the Grand Prix Level and has her “R” level USAE Judge’s license. Dorie has her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Riding Medals. She is also showing her horse “Lenz” Grand Prix and her other horse” Coeur Bube” third level.
Mary Jane Parmentier
In addition to being a professor at ASU, we are happy to have Mary Jane as part of our facility. Mary Jane teaches adult dressage lessons as well as riding and training horses.
Mary Jane is currently competing her young warmblood and preparing him for Second level.
Allison Spaulding
Allison has been a student at CARA since the age of 7. Now as an adult and successful rider, she joins the CARA staff. Allison teaches adult and children beginners through intermediate riders. Allison is also director of our Mommy, Me and Pony too classes.
Jaime Hopkins
Jaime also, has been a student at CARA since the age of 7. Now as an adult and successful rider, she joins the CARA staff. Jaime teaches both children and adults. Jaime is in charge or planning and directing our children’s programs and camps.
Susan Krauskopf
Susan has been with CARA since childhood. As an adult she now trains dressage horses and shows horses for clients. In addition to her time at CARA Susan has also done extensive training with German Reitlehrer Gerd Zuther and his wife Yvonne.
Beto Cervantes & Diego Cervantes
Beto Cervantes is our Barn manager and lives on site with his wife Dahlia. Diego Cervantes also helps manager and care for the animals and grounds.
· CARA also has a highly qualified group of part time instructors and at times there are trainers from Europe on staff.
· CARA hosts a regular series of Dressage Clinics with international Dressage Judge and trainer Tracey Lert and German Reitlehrer Gerd Zuther.
Barn Safety & Conduct
Ø Hours of Operation: 6am to 8 pm Tuesday thru Friday
6 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday
Closed on Mondays
At closing riders should at the very least be getting off of their horses.
Ø Entrance: We welcome visitors. For the safety of horse and rider the property is completely fenced. The gate at Rattlesnake RD is to keep horses in and is unlocked during business hours. Please close the gate IMMEDIATELY after entering and leaving.
Please do not Schedule routine veterinarian, farrier, or other appointments on Mondays.
Ø
Ø Messages: Messages left on the CARA phone will be picked up everyday with the exception of Sunday and Mondays. These calls will be returned at our earliest opportunity. Messages are checked for emergency calls.
Ø General Rules
· NO TRAINING OR RIDING WITH DRAW REINS IS PERMITTED ON CARA PROPERTY
· Clothing: No open toed shoes or sandals are allowed. All riders must wear a shoe, or boot, with a heel when mounted.
· Hard hats: With a three point harness are required by all riders when jumping, regardless of age.
· Do not chew gum while riding at any time. This presents a serious safety hazard.
· NO SMOKING in the barns, hay barn, shavings area or within 20 feet of these areas. Dispose of your butts properly in a trash receptacle, or your pocket, after you are sure they are not smoldering. DO NOT throw cigarette butts on the ground.
· THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO RIDING IN THE PASTURES.
· DO NOT play in or on the hay barn, shavings bin, tool areas, equipment shed, and do not sit on any arena fences or the main gate to the property.
· Please do not walk through the arenas when lessons are in progress.
· DO NOT ride the horses on concrete; DO NOT ride horses double without permission; DO NOT ride the horses down the barn aisles.
Ø Jumping Policies
· No Jumping unless supervised by a CARA trainer. Adult riders with their own horse may jump unsupervised – with prior approval from CARA management.
· Broken jumps, poles, etc. may be charged to the horse’s owner’s account at replacement cost.
Ø Viewing Policy
· CARA welcomes parents, family members & friends to observe lessons. We do, however, respectfully request that you remain outside the arenas.
· Parents: PLEASE NO COACHING OR TALKING TO STUDENTS during lessons. This has potential for injury. If there are any concerns/questions, please direct them to the trainer following the lesson.
Ø Child-Care Services
· We do not provide a child care service. When our staff is on duty, they are unable to watch children other than their lesson. Although we try our best, CARA is unable to guarantee the safety of unsupervised children.
· NO child under the age of 12 may be left on CARA grounds unsupervised without direct permission from Dorie or Uli.
· All children under the age of 10 MUST REMAIN UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THEIR PARENTS AT ALL TIMES
Ø Pets: are not allowed at CARA. If, on occasion, you must bring your dog, it needs to be on a leash and attached to the owner. Dogs are not to be tied up to or put in stalls. Please clean up after your pet and put waste into the manure spreader.
Ø Please DO NOT pet or feed any horses other than your own. Always check bulletin board for up to date information.
Ø Wash Rack Etiquette: Please conserve water. We ask that you do not leave the hose running. Also you are expected to pick up after your horse. This includes manure and hair. Please do not wash it down into the retention basin. Please turn off lights and water. Roll up hoses. Any Shampoo, or other grooming equipment left at the wash rack area will either be thrown away or become the property of CARA.
Sportsmanship
Ø Encourage fellow riders - demeaning comments are a discouragement to all.
Ø When participating in class, students must remain with their class & follow their trainer’s direction.
Ø While on the premises students must refrain from vulgar and disrespectful behaviors.
Ø Students are encouraged to show respect toward trainers, fellow classmates, other riders and their personal property, as well as the riding facility and equipment.
Ø Riders are expected to show respect and good judgement with all horses.
Ø CARA staff members reserve the rights to dismiss students, without refund, for repeated activities that are considered to be disrespectful, disruptive, and destructive or that jeopardize the safety of oneself or others.
Ø Any rider being abusive to any animal will be told to leave the premises immediately.
Arena Riding Rules
Ø When passing oncoming horses, pass left shoulder to left shoulder or indicate your intentions to the other rider by calling “inside” or “outside”.
Ø When entering the arena be careful not to cut off another horse and rider, while circling or otherwise.
Ø Do not walk or stop on the rail. Slower gates should take the inside track.
Ø If a lesson is in progress, please ask the instructor for permission to enter the arena. Lessons have the right of way and in most cases, the rail regardless of direction.
Ø Riders schooling advance movements have the right of way.
Ø Riders doing lateral work have the right of way.
Ø Riders going on the diagonal do not have the right of way.
Ø Be careful how you use your whip and voice - other horses may react as well.
Ø If you use jumps, cones, cavaletti or other CARA equipment, you are expected to put it back where and how you found it. This includes setting jumps to their original height and distances. Please notify staff if something is broken.
Ø Riders are welcome to turn lights on after dark during business hours. Please ask staff where the switches are located and which ones you may use. If you are the last rider in an arena you are expected to turn the lights off.
Ø If you do get in someone’s way, for whatever reason, an apology will help keep the tension down, and try not to repeat the indiscretion!
Lesson Requirements
Ø Outside Trainers: Lessons and training are by CARA staff only. We do not allow outside trainers to teach, or train on the grounds.
Ø Scheduling: Lessons are by appointment only. We teach Tuesday through Sunday. Call the CARA office at (480) 963-1310 to schedule. You normally need to schedule one week in advance. If you reach the answering machine, please leave prefered days and times.
Ø Arrival:
· Please arrive ½ hour prior to you scheduled lesson time and plan to stay ½ hour after your lesson. REALIZE that when you are late, it offsets the rest of the lessons for the remainder of the day. If you are late, we will shorten your lesson time in an effort to remain on schedule.
· All riders are expected to groom and tack up their own horse. Beginners and new students will be shown this in their first lessons.
Ø Aftercare: Riders are also expected to care for the horse and equipment after each ride. This includes cleaning and conditioning their tack, as well as washing or grooming their horse.
Ø Dress: Please dress neatly for lessons. This includes: long hair tied back; shirts tucked in and should have short or long sleeves; boots clean; and ladies should wear proper support undergarments. No spaghetti straps or midriff shirts please.
Ø Helmets: CARA provides hard hats for initial lessons. Riders who continue to ride are expected to purchase their own ASTM approved helmet.
Ø Boots and britches: This is the preferred attire for lessons. Beginners may wear comfortable long pants and a shoe with a heel.
Ø Treats: You are welcome to bring carrots, apples, sugar, or horse cookies for the CARA School horses.
CARA School Horses
Ø All school horses are the property of CARA.
Ø No one may remove them from their stall or pasture without asking permission from CARA staff.
Ø Anyone using a CARA school horse for a lessons or practice session is expected to clean the horse, all the equipment and the area where you have cared for the horse. This includes grooming areas, wash rack and picking up manure and hair.
Ø School horses are available for lessons, and practice sessions at daily or monthly rates. See standard rate section.
Boarder Information
General
Board Contracts: All Boarders are required to sign a board contract EACH Year. Board contracts will be mailed to you via email AND Snail mail ( if requested) By December 1st. Please review changes and PLEASE re read CARA rules as they will be updated each year. Contracts must be received by January 1st with January’s board paid in Full.
CARA is a training facility – Boarders MUST participate in lessons or training programs. There is a 1 lesson per week (4/mo.) minimum requirement. If someone is in a clinic, they can count 1 of those lessons toward the 4 (for example is someone rides 2 or 3 times in a weekend clinic they could count one of those rides toward the four)
If either the rider or horse are sick or there is a schedule conflict you have 30 days to do a makeup that can be with Uli, Mary Jane, or I. If they are not made up they still have to be part of the board payment.
However, if the horse is off for a while, the payment of the 4 lessons is still required as part of the board.
Example :If someone only takes 2 lessons in a given month then they would have the fee of $45 X 2 due. They would also have the option to have 6 lessons the following month (2 from the previous month) If they don’t take those extra two, there gone.
Basically board will be April 1 $400/month plus $180 Minimum lessons fee*(April 2007).
· Monday closure- NO Exceptions- Tack rooms and main gate will remain locked for the entire day. No lunging, turnout or riding is permitted. See CARA staff for permission to enter the grounds if your horse needs medical attention. You my leave supplement feed in the appropriate area for staff to feed. Do not schedule farrier or routine veterinarian visits on Mondays.
· Trainer tack room and grooming stall: The trainer tack room and grooming stall, is off limits to anyone other than Uli, Dorie, or Lexie Schmitz or staff. This includes use of equipment.
· Riding non-owned horses: No one may ride another person’s horse without permission from the owner and knowledge of the CARA staff.
· Shots and Worming: All horses must be on a regular shot and deworming schedule. You may arrange this yourself or participate in the CARA program. See Dorie to arrange.
· Blankets: Each horse may have a blanket and a sheet during the winter months. They are to be taken home or stored in owner’s trailer when temperatures are consistently 75°+-April 1st at the latest.
· Lights: If you are the last person in a barn you are expected to turn off the lights out.
· Laundry facilities: The laundry facilities are primarily for CARA use. If you wish to use them, please get prior approval from Dorie or Uli. You must provide your own soap. Any damage or clean up expenses will be the responsibility of the person that used this facility. Anyone using the facilities is expected to clean up.
· Bathroom facilities: Please be respectful and clean up after yourself. If you use the shower you are expected to wipe up. You must bring with you and take home all towels and grooming/bathing supplies. CARA will either dispose of or appropriate for school horses any left shampoo, etc. Do not dispose of any feminine products down the toilette.
Ø Feeding
· All hay feeding is done by the CARA staff. If you have any question regarding your horse’s feed, or think it may need to be adjusted, please speak with Dorie or Uli.
· Feed for horse shows should be obtained from CARA staff.
· No one may take additional hay or grain. Any extra feeding of CARA feed will be at the owner’s additional expenses.
· If your horse is getting more than 4 flakes of hay a day you will get an extra $20 per month added on to your board for each additional flake of hay.
· Salt blocks and supplements are the responsibility of the owner.
· Owners can arrange to have CARA staff feed supplements at an additional cost. Additional cost does not apply to Mondays. Feed supplements must be individually packaged per feeding in ziplock bags. They must be clearly marked and placed in appropriate area no later than 3 pm.
Ø Stalls
· Stalls are assigned by CARA. Management reserves the right to move horses or change stalls.
· We do not allow buckets, toys, fans, or other “things” to be hung in or around stalls.
· No signs may be posted on stalls or any where else on CARA premise without prior approval.
· If you have any work to be done on your horse’s stall please talk to Dorie or Uli.
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Ø Tack Rooms
· CARA staff will assign a tack room depending on the barn your horse is stabled in.
Owner may have only 1 CARA approved tack box or cabinet not to exceed 38” by 24”. Boxes that are in disrepair must be either repaired or removed. Boarders may have, if space allows 1 standard sized metal or hard plastic garbage can for feed. Cara will provide saddle racks and bridle racks. Boarders may not bring freestanding saddle racks. All items other than 1 saddle and 2 bridles MUST be secured in the tack box. All feed/supplements must be stored in feed can. Any feed that does not fit in this can, must be stored at home. During cool months boarders may have a blanket for their horse. April 1st all blankets must be taken home or placed in boarder’s trailer for storage.
· If space is limited, CARA my ask you to take additional items home. CARA staff may move any box in order to rearrange the room. No one else may move another person’s belongings or rearrange the tack room without speaking to Dorie first.
· Students who do not own a horse are NOT permitted to keep a store equipment or tack in tack rooms. Exceptions to this are only by Dorie or Uli’s approval.
· All persons with a tack box or equipment stored in a tack room are expected to keep the room clean. This includes sweeping, Emptying trash and tidying up. CARA may assign each boarder a specific duty or schedule to assist in this duty as part of their board contract.
· CARA reserves the right to move or rearrange any tack box or equipment.
· Tack boxes and all equipment or tack left at CARA after the horse has been removed from the property MUST be taken home. Any unclaimed boxes, tack or equipment, after 1 week of leaving, become CARA property.
Ø Turnout
· The paddocks are reserved from 7am to 9am for horses of boarders who have paid to have CARA turnout services.
· If your horse is in turnout and is disruptive to ongoing lessons or riding you MUST bring them in. | 