Bylaws

The purpose of the OSU Intercollegiate Equestrian (IHSA) team shall be to learn about riding and competing against other IHSA recognized Universities and Colleges at a Regional, Zone, and National level. Members will ride a variety of horses at the level they are qualified in the following disciplines: Huntseat Equitation, Huntseat Equitation over fences, Western Horsemanship, and Reining. This is a team sport and members are expected to practice and compete professionally while supporting teammates and competitors with good sportsmanship. The IHSA team provides OSU students with a chance to be involved with the Department of Recreation Sports and a nationally recognized organization. Students have an opportunity to improve their communication skills, horsemanship abilities, fitness level, and leadership experience.

Article I: Membership

Any full-time OSU student in good academic standing with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or by term basis may join the IHSA team. If member GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive terms members status will be evaluated by the executive community. Team members who have fulfilled all requirements from the previous year and who wish to continue shall be considered returning members. All members must participate in tryouts each year to be ranked for the varsity team. All members may be re-ranked half way through the season if riders point up or new members join the team. The traveling members may change from show to show depending on availability or number of showing spots by hosting schools. The first two rankings are considered the traveling team; the third ranked rider will be invited if allowed by the host show. No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or beliefs. All Intercollegiate Equestrian team members must complete appropriate paperwork for IHSA including and outline membership, OSU IHSA membership contract, OSU Recreational Sport Code of Conduct and other appropriate waivers before they will be permitted to practice. Team and IHSA dues will be required according to participations level and amount of competition fees.

Article II: Fees & Funding

Section 1. All members will be required to pay OSU IHSA tryout dues and IHSA annual membership dues prior to the first practice of each term. Please provide the Coach or President a copy of your online IHSA membership stating disciplines and required information. Practice fees may vary depending on the level of participation. All members must be aware that team funding may not cover all events. Personal funding may be necessary for participation in team events. This may change from year to year depending on club funding and National IHSA Dues and Fees. Section 2. Department of Recreation sports funds will be distributed among riding member who wish to compete and/or participate in intercollegiate shows. These funds will be used for practice, show entries, and traveling expenses. Other expenses must be approved as by the OSU Recreational Sports Constitution. Distribution among these members will depend on: a) participation in team and club activities, b) availability to attend shows, and c) lack or either of the previous by other riding members. Earned funds will come from fundraisers done by team members. These funds will be available to all/any of the members. These funds may be used on any expenses the team approves. Suggested dispersal is such that: all members whom participate in a fundraiser will each receive an equal amount of the profits. Amendments may be such that: degree of participation is noted and profit dispersal is therefore weighted in such a degree. Earned funds may also be used for team related objects such as jackets, warm-ups, show expenses, etc.

Article III: Team

Section 1. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Show Secretary. Additional team officers will include Public Relations Officer, Points Keeper, Fitness Director, Photographer/Historian, and Show Manager. Voting for officers will take place spring term of each year. Positions will become active the end of following Spring term and will continue though the end of the next Spring term. The president will be in close contact with the Coach, IHSA team officers, Faculty Advisor, The Department of Recreational Sports and will be sure to enforce any rules outlined by IHSA, The Department of Recreational Sports and Oregon State University. The president will also lead the team meeting and events. The Vice-President will serve as fill–in for any duties the President is unable to fulfill. The Secretary will take minutes at the team meeting and distribute them to the team members. The Secretary will also keep an updated calendar of events and phone list that will then be distributed among the other team members. It is also the duty of the Secretary to let all members know the times and dates of meetings, practices, and events. The Secretary will take attendance at all of these events. The Treasurer will be in close contact with the President and the Coach, and will be in charge of all monetary duties. This includes collecting dues and fees, making deposits, withdrawing money for events and outgoing fees, and keeping a detailed record of all transactions and an updated balance in all accounts. The Public Relations officer is in charge of all communication with any publications or media organization in relation to informing the public and student body of team activities and events, The PR officer is to work with the photographer and historian on the scrapbook. The Photographer is in charge of taking pictures during team events and activities and working with the Public Relations and Historian officers to coordinate the year’s scrapbook. The Show Manager is to work with the President and the Coach to accomplish tasks required to plan and run home shows and keep the team informed of what is happening at away shows. Section 2. The team will keep a volunteer coach to overlook all activities and to help instruct the riders in their equitation and overall riding skills. The Coach must sign all paperwork for IHSA including show entries and eligibility forms. The Coach cannot be a team member. If a non-member Coach is unavailable, the president will sign as Coach when necessary, but will not resume any other responsibilities of the Coach. If both the Coach and President/ V.P. are unable to sign, a designated team member will sign instead. This designated person may change at any time, depending on availability. The Coach will be chosen by the team and must be voted in by a majority vote. The prospective Coach may not be present at the time of voting. If at any time the team feels that the Coach is not providing services that are helpful or is inhibiting the productivity, pleasure, and/or roles of the team, a majority vote will be taken to dismiss the Coach. If the vote is passed, the team will ask the coach to step down from the position. This is expected to be done with professionalism, and the Coach should depart in the same manner. The Coach should be present at all meetings and practices, with the same expectations as the members. However, due to traveling expenses, the Coach is not required to travel to shows.

Article IV: Team Requirements

All IHSA Team members must meet all team requirements in order to continue as a Varsity member. All members are required to attend all meetings, unless excused ahead of time with the coach and president for a valid reason. It is strongly recommended that all members attend all team events, including practices, fundraisers, clinics, and shows. At any time these events may be considered mandatory. If a member cannot attend any event, they must clear the absence with both the Coach and the President. The Coach will then decide with the appropriate officer(s) and or members if the absence should be excused or not. If the team feels that a member is not participating enough or is disruptive to the team in any way, the issue will be discussed by executive officers. The team may choose to dismiss the member from the team, or allow the member a trial period in which they will be given the chance to improve their team participation/attitude. In the event a member is abusive or disruptive during practice or a meet the Coach may dismiss the member and call a meeting with the executive officers regarding the matter. Any member displaying abusive behavior towards a horse will be immediately dismissed. Any member found in violation of the Recreational Sports code of conduct will be immediately suspended and reported to the Recreational Club Sport coordinator for suspension or dismissal. If during the trial/suspension period the member continues to violate, show poor judgment and behavior unbecoming to the team, the member will be barred and not able to rejoin the team. Proposed amendment to the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team bylaws may be presented, discussed and ratified at any regular team meeting by a majority vote of the entire team. Each member is required to maintain a workout schedule or fitness program. OSU IHSA members are required to workout a minimum of once weekly. This includes PAC classes and fit classes (approved by the Coach or President) offered at Dixon Recreational Center, or structured workouts at a private facility. Missed workouts or failure to fulfill requirements laid out in team bylaws will affect the member’s eligibility to show and travel. Any excusals must be cleared with the President and made up. Doctor’s notes will be required for any long term illness or injury preventing the member from working out which may affect showing until cleared by a doctor.

Article V: Amendments

Proposed amendments to the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team bylaws may be presented, discussed, and ratified at any regular team meeting by a majority vote of the entire team. Last ratification was October 2008- Ratification is required on the new bylaws in 2010.