"It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference."
Liberty County 4-H Mounted Drill Team 2009-2010 Rules
The following Bylaws are adopted by the Drill Team in order to inform all of its members of the structure, needs, and requirements of this organization. These BYLAWS have been approved by the 4-H office, the 2009-2010 Club Officers, and Drill Masters with the understanding that in order to deal with youth and their families, unforeseen or unusual circumstances may cause the need for flexibility and understanding in order to help our youth to succeed. An occasional situation may not be covered or binding in black and white. However; this organization does strive for fairness to all participation and character building, and an education far beyond equine levels.
Your family is responsible for helping to raise the necessary expenses for the 2009-2010 Drill Team season. The harder we work to meet these goals, the quicker our team will have met the required amount of money that will be needed to send Liberty County to the many competitions that we attend each year. We have listed the basic needs which each rider will have to pay during the year. Of course these amounts can and most probably will change. Any and all monies raised enter the Drill Team account and will be dispersed as deemed necessary by the Drill Masters and members. Any member quitting the team forfeits all monies paid or raised at fundraisers. A spread sheet will be kept on all riders and will be distributed on a regular basis or as requested by members.
Individual Costs
Nat'l Drill Team Competition $ 40.00 per rider
Giddings Competition $ 15.00 per rider
District Competition $8.00 per rider
State Competition $30.00 per rider
Hotel Fee in Abilene $275.00 (1) per family
Horse stall in Abilene $ 40.00 per rider (1 horse)
Abilene travel money $300.00 per rider-multiple siblings per $ raised if funds avail.
Arena lights $100.00 per rider * paid by family or fundraise, % due monthly
Costume Maintenance $137.00 per rider
Start up fee-dues $50.00 per rider * paid by family by 01/01/10
Miscellaneous expenses $130.00 per rider
Miscellaneous expenses include year end awards, dinner, etc.
Total: $1125.00
We will provide more fund raising opportunities than necessary that will get your child past the minimum goal. You can participate in all or some in order to reach your funds needed. This is entirely up to the rider and family. If you do not reach your personal goal your Abilene travel money cannot be provided. Hopefully enough funds will be raised and other expenses can be covered. There is also a possibility that monies will not be available and the rider will not be able to travel to Abilene and compete.
Money will be deducted from your earnings before pay-out for any outstanding money due from receiving items like candy, candles, wreaths, cookbooks..............
Your fundraising money will be paid out in the following order:
Owed fundraising monies
Arena fees
Uniforms cost
Competition fees
Stall fees
Hotel fees
Travel money
If you do not earn expected amount - you will not receive a full share of hotel or travel money.
**This project, as are all 4-H activities, is UIL regulated. Your child MUST be passing 3 weeks prior to competition and maintain a passing grade until competition. A 4-H eligibility form will have to be signed by your school shortly before competition. The 3 week period of passing prior to competition is to enable the Drill Masters to make the necessary rider changes to cover spots open and provide fill in riders ample time to prepare. This will be strictly enforced.**
Grievance committee shall consist of 7 members with one (1) elected chairman/mediator. These members will be elected during the Annual Meeting.
Basis Rules
1. The Drill Team Masters shall be in complete charge at all practices and performances.
2. The objective is to promote better horsemanship, leadership, sportsmanship skills, and how to work as a team.
3. Members must attend 75% of all practices and 3 out of the last 4 practices prior to performance, and all members must attend the last practice prior to the performance to be eligible to perform. (This is at the discretion of the Drill Masters.)
4. Should you miss more than 3 consecutive practices you will be dismissed and have to start over as a new member. Notice of absences prior to practices must be given to any of the Drill Masters. School activities will not be counted against you if you notify the Drill Masters prior to the absences. However; if the school related absences are extensive and have prevented the rider from learning the drill you will not be allowed to perform.
5. If you miss a practice it is your responsibility to call any of the DRILL MASTERS to find out about any practice changes or other information that might have been discussed. ATTENDANCE RECORDS WILL BE KEPT!
6. A minor's release and hold harmless agreement along with medical authorization must be signed. A copy of your insurance card (front and back), and a signed insurance form (if applicable) must be provided. Members will not be allowed to perform until paperwork is completed.
7. All members must belong to a Liberty County 4-H Club and meet that clubs attendance and meeting requirements for membership prior to a performance. All rules of the Liberty County 4-H will be kept.
8. Fundraisers are to benefit every member; therefore all members and their parents are expected to participate in order to reach their individual goals. All monies over the individual goals are entered into the general funds for distribution as seen fit by the Drill Masters.
9. All money earned at a fundraising event will be counted by 2 people, adult and team treasurer, or team member before leaving the activity and a bank deposit slip completed.
10. POINTS earned at sandwich sales will be earned in 4-hour increments. You must work the set-up or shut-down. Example: 9-1 or 1-4. If you work 2 shifts- you get 2 points. Member can only receive 1 point per shift per family unless there are multiple siblings on the team. Volunteers can work for members in their absence. Member and/or volunteer must sign roster when arriving and when leaving. If worker does not sign in - member will not get credit for working.
11. You can receive an extra point if at least 4 homemade baked goods per member are donated at sandwich sale. Must sign roster and list items brought. (eg: 2 dozen cookies equals 1 baked good)
12. Sewing points earned at the rate of 1 point per each 6 hour shift. Adult volunteers only.
13. Head Drill Master will be nominated at the annual business meeting, usually in October. Nominations will be secret ballot and voted on by 4-H members. Head Drill Master will then appoint assisstant drill masters. The County Extension Agent will have final approval.
14. Discipline of the Drill Team will be held at the discretion of the Drill Team Masters.
15. Drill Team Masters have the authority to dismiss anyone displaying improper conduct or anyone not willing to abide by the rules.
16. Drill Team Masters will select the leaders to lead the drill, and have the options to replace them at any time.
17. There will be no extreme confrontations at the drill practices or performances. If a problem arises bring it to the attention of the Drill Team Masters to be resolved. If plaintiff feels a problem has not been resolved properly or effectively, then a plaintiff needs to submit in writing the nature of the problem and present it to the grievance committee chairman.
18. If a problem or complaint cannot be resolved through the grievance committee process, the chairman of the committee will take the written problem or complaint along with the minutes kept to the County Extension Office to be handled at their discretion. Complaints or problems will follow this process and can be made by participants as well as parents.
19. Parents are to be responsible for their children outside of the arena, for their horses and their behavior. There will be NO HORSEPLAY OF ANY KIND!
20. Problems with members and adults on premises during practice hours or competitions will be dealt with as stated in rules 14 & 15.
21. Parents and all participants MUST read and sign a copy of the Rules to be turned in to the Drill Team Masters and a copy will be forwarded to the County Extension Office at the start of the year, NO EXCEPTIONS!
22. A brief business meeting to be held for participants and parents to discuss old and new business will be conducted at the start of each practice. Minutes will be kept and turned into the County Extension Office monthly.
23. Drill tack will not be used for anything but drill performances. Each member will be responsible for their equipment. Tack and uniform in members possession will be kept in top condition at all times. In case of lost or damaged equipment and/or costumes, the member will be expected to provide money to replace them.
24. Uniforms will be provided according to arrangements made by the Uniform committee representative.
25. All members must ride in long pants, lace up or cowboy boots at all times. Black boots and black belt (if necessary) are a requirement of the uniform during performances.
26. Tack must be returned to the Drill Team Masters when the member becomes inactive.
27. Members must perform on a full size stock horse (14.2 hands - 16.2 hands).
28. Members cannot bring in a new horse within 60 days prior to a major show or competition without approval from the Drill Team Masters. All horse changes at any time must be approved.
29. There will be no stallions at any function of the Drill Team.
30. Any horse displaying consistent misbehavior or lack of control by the rider will be dismissed from the drill following three warnings.
31. No split reins during practices without approval from the Drill Team Masters.
32. Horses that show sign of sickness (cold, distemper, etc.) or lameness should be kept at home. Participant is encouraged to attend practice whether their horse can attend or not. In most cases, a back-up horse can be provided to ride. Call your Drill Master.
33. All horses must be washed and well-groomed at every performance.
34. New members are required to attend no less than 6 practices prior to a performance before being allowed to perform with the drill team, subject to Drill Masters approval.
35. Negative Coggins within 12 months are required on any horse brought to a 4-H function.
36. Upon disbandment of The Liberty County 4-H Mounted Drill Team all inventoried items will become the property of the Liberty County Extension Office to be distributed as they see fit.
37. It is strongly recommended that all riders wear a properly fitted headgear with a fastened chin harness. The use of protective headgear is acceptable, recommended, and the option choice of the exhibitor. ASTM/SEI helmets are recommended. It is the responsibility of the rider and the parent/guardian, or trainer of the 4-H member to ensure that the headgear worn complies with the appropriate safety standards for protective headgear for equestrian use, and that the headgear is properly fitted and in good condition. The Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas State 4-H Horse Program, and the Horse Show Management Teams are not responsible for ensuring that the headgear worn complies with the safety standards and make no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, about any protective headgear, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such headgear, because all equestrian sports involve inherent dangerous risks and no helmet can protect against all possible injuries.
38. Official dress code for fund raisers or competition practice must be worn (any t-shirt showing Liberty County 4-H Mounted Drill Team). If member is out of dress code, 3 work points will be deducted from cumulative total.
39. If member leaves or graduates, the magnetic signs in their possession will be returned with tack and costumes (magnetic signs are the property of the club).
40. A Doctor's release can be requested at any time by the Drill Team for injury or illness sustained either at practice or elsewhere if the Drill Masters feel it's necessary for the overall safety of the individual rider or team members.
41. All members and parents must sign a waiver of liability and hold harmless agreement and a rules acceptance form. Click on the links to print documents.
*ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF DRILL MASTER(S)