Wild Rhody Ranch
PO Box 566 Port Hadlock, WA 98339
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY
AND
HOLD HARMLESS & INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY BEFORE SIGNING
The Equine Activity Liability laws of the State of Washington, RCW 4.24.540, state among its statutory provisions that “an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity”.
DESCRIPTION OF RISKS
“Directly engages in an equine activity” means a person who rides, trains, drives, or is a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted, but does not mean a spectator at an equine activity or a person who participates in the equine activity but does not ride, train, drive, or ride as a passenger upon an equine.
“Equine activity” means (i) equine shows, fairs, competitions, performances, or parades that involve any or all breeds of equines and any of the equine disciplines, including, but not limited to, dressage, hunter and jumper horse shows, grand prix jumping, three-day events, combined training, rodeos, driving, pulling, cutting, polo, steeple chasing, endurance trail riding and western games, and hunting; (ii) equine training or teaching activities; (iii) boarding equines; (iv) riding, inspecting, or evaluating an equine belonging to another whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect, or evaluate the equine; and (v) rides, trips, hunts, or other equine activities of any type however informal or impromptu that are sponsored by an equine activity sponsor.
“Equine professional” means a person or his agent engaged for compensation in (i) instructing a participant or renting to a participant an equine for the purpose of riding, driving, or being a passenger upon an equine or (ii) renting equipment or tack to a participant.
“Spectator” means any person in the vicinity of an equine activity whether watching the activities or simply in the area.
“Participant” means any person, whether amateur or professional, who directly engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.
All the above named must understand that there are risks inherent in dealing with horses and ponies (equine activity). Some of the inherent risks include:
- The propensity of an equine to behave in ways that may result in injury, death, or loss to persons on or around the equine.
- The unpredictability of an equine's reaction to sounds, sudden movements, unfamiliar objects, persons, or other animals.
- That there may be hazards including, but not limited to, surface or subsurface conditions.
- The possibility of a collision with another equine, another animal, a person, or an object.
- The potential of an equine activity Participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury, death, or loss to the person of the Participant or to other persons, including, but not limited to failing to maintain control over an equine or failing to act within the ability of the Participant.
Participants and spectators further understand the examples of the equine activity taking place at Wild Rhody Ranch include but are not limited to:
- Riding, jumping, showing, trail riding, beach riding, horse camp and the like.
- Routine care and feeding of the equine, including veterinary and farrier services.
- Traveling, loading and unloading of equine.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK
the undersigned have read and understand, and freely and voluntarily enter into this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement with
Wild Rhody Ranch, volunteers, agents and employees, understanding that this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement is a waiver of any and all liability(ies).
I understand the potential dangers that I &/or could incur in mounting, riding, walking, boarding, feeding said horse; including, but not limited to, any interactions with other horses and other animals. Understanding those risks I hereby release that Company, its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and anyone else directly or indirectly connected with that Company from any liability whatsoever in the event of injury or damage of any nature (or perhaps even death) to me or anyone else caused by or incidental to my electing to mount and ride a horse, or be a spectator at such event, at Wild Rhody Ranch.
I understand that there are risks inherent in dealing with equines (including horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and hinnies) as itemized above.
I understand and recognize and warrant that this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement, is being voluntarily and intentionally signed and agreed to, and that in signing this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement I know and understand that this Agreement may further limit the liability of equine professionals to include any activity, whatsoever, involving an equine, including death, personal injury and/or damage to property.
I recognize and agree that I know which equine professional(s) I will be working with, and acknowledge that I agree said equine professional(s) has/have made reasonable and prudent efforts to determine my ability to engage in the equine activity, and has/have sufficient knowledge of my equine and horseback riding skills and said equine professionals have are responsible for any and all costs incurred for injuries or property damage they may cause or incur and have professional and accidental medical insurance coverage in force for such necessities.
I also freely and voluntarily enter into the following Mediation and Arbitration Agreement concerning any equine activity incidents relating to or allegedly involving Wild Rhody Ranch or its agents. NOTICE: Wearing an ASTM/SEI approved hard hat is REQUIRED for all minors while riding or driving.
I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL THE ABOVE PARAGRAPHS OF THE RELEASE and WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT.
If under 18, the parent or guardian must read and sign the above, indicting his/her acceptance.