Cancellation Policy & Riding Terms and Conditions
Please familiarise yourself with our policy and ask our staff should you have any queries. These terms are subject to change without notice.
Regular, Term and Casual Riders
In order for regular/term riders to avoid a 100% cancellation forfeit of paid fees we request that for any reason (other than medical) they must give us a minimum of 48 hours’ notice should they be unable to attend their lesson. We will then happily organise an alternative time for that lesson.
Should the rider cancel within 48 hours of their scheduled lesson, a medical certificate will be required in order to receive a 50% forfeit of paid fees. Should a medical certificate not be provided, the rider forfeits 100% of paid fees.
Fees credited back to a riders account due to medical circumstances MUST be used within the same term. Should you cancel a lesson and are unable to attend a make-up lesson within the same term for any reason, including scheduling conflicts, SVRS is not obliged to issue you a refund or carry forward the make-up lesson into the next term or holiday period.
Once term bookings have been finalised and the term has commenced, if the rider cancels from the term, full fees will apply, and no refunds will be given. However, should a rider need to terminate their lessons due to illness or injury ONLY, a 2-week forfeit of paid fees will apply. If a rider is booked to ride fortnightly, a 1 week forfeit of paid fees will apply. A medical certificate must be provided in these circumstances with the reason stated.
Riders who commit to a term booking are required to complete the booking. Riders cannot switch from a group booking to a private booking mid-term. Riders are required to complete the term in the group before moving to a private lesson arrangement (if a suitable time is available) in the upcoming term.
Lessons cannot be paid short for the term. Full Term fees apply, and makeup lessons must be organised if any lessons cannot be attended irrespective of reason (medical or non-medical). This is up to the parent/rider to follow up to ensure the makeup is organised and attended within the term. Terms run to the NZ School Term dates. If a rider cannot attend the full term, then casual rates apply.
If private/semi-private riders cannot attend the make-up lesson offered by SVRS, they will be offered a group lesson (no refunds will apply).
I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risk and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions. I may fall off and could be injured. I accept that risk.
I understand that instructions are given for my safety and agree to follow instructions given to me by staff and instructors at the riding school.
I understand that wearing an appropriate riding hat and body protector may reduce the severity of an injury should an accident happen and agree that I will always wear a riding hat whilst riding, leading and grooming horses at the riding school. I understand it is my choice whether to wear a body protector except in the case of jumping where a body protector is required.
I understand that the riding school will make decisions based on information I give them and agree to always be honest and volunteer information about:
My abilities and riding experience
Any previous riding accidents
Any medical condition(s) which may affect my ability to ride
Our standard cancellation policy (outlined above) applies with the following conditions:
Semi-Private Riders (applies to both Casual & Regular term riders)
Lessons cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled lesson time incur a 100% cancellation fee (full lesson fee is forfeited).
Lessons that are cancelled outside of the 48-hour notice period, irrespective of reason incur a 50% cancellation fee (half of lesson fee is forfeited). The remaining credit can be applied to another private, semi-private or group lesson, the balance of which will need to be paid.
Semi-private riders must take a semi-private make up lesson where possible. If a private lesson must be booked, additional fees apply for semi-private riders. If riders cannot attend the make-up lesson offered by SVRS, they will be offered a group lesson (no refunds will apply).
Birthday Parties/Unicorn Parties
Payment in full is required at time of booking request.
If a cancellation is received in writing (via email) more than 14 days before the day of the Birthday party booking, a full refund/credit or reschedule will be offered.
If a cancellation is received in writing (via email) 14 days or less than the day of the Birthday party booking, a 50% cancellation fee of total monies paid is charged.
If the Birthday party booking is cancelled less than 7 days in advance, you will forfeit all monies paid.
Holiday Programs
Payment in full is required at time of booking request.
If a cancellation is received in writing (via email) more than 7 days before the day of the holiday program booking, no cancellation fee is charged, and a full refund or credit is given.
If the Holiday program booking is cancelled less than 7 days in advance, you will forfeit all monies paid.
If you cancel with ample notice due to change of mind and request a refund, there will be a $30 admin fee deducted.
Clinics (Such as Combined Training, 3 Day Event)
Should you need to cancel out of your clinic for any reason; all monies paid will be forfeited.
Photo Shoots
Photo shoots cancelled by the customer up to 7 days prior to the scheduled date will forfeit 50% of the deposit paid. Photo shoots cancelled by the customer within 72 hours of the day of the scheduled photo shoot, or failure to show, will forfeit all monies paid.
Weather cancellation and riding policy
Riding takes place in all weather conditions. Only when the temperature exceeds 38°c or above (at the time of riding) and/or severe weather conditions will cause cancellation. SVRS will notify the responsible person if the booking is to be cancelled due to inclement weather or riders may call us no sooner than 1 hour prior to the booking for an update. An alternate date will be offered to the rider. If during the course of the day the weather deteriorates, SVRS reserves the right to deliver theory and/or play fun and games indoors in lieu of riding (horse oriented) if it is deemed unsafe to ride.
Miscellaneous Terms & Conditions
Weight Restrictions
We have a safety weight restriction to ensure the safety both our horses and our customers. Our customer maximum weight restriction is 95kg. At the time of your booking you will be asked to provide information such as your height, weight and previous riding experience so that we can allocate the most suitable horse/pony. Please be aware that on the day of your lesson SVRS staff may ask you to be weighed and if your weight exceeds our maximum safety weight restriction, SVRS may cancel your lesson and all monies paid by you will be forfeited.
SVRS Gift Vouchers
All SVRS Gift Vouchers have no expiry date. No refunds will be given if you have simply changed your mind, or the Gift Certificate recipient does not wish to ride and/or redeem their Gift Voucher.
Check In
All riders are requested to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to their allocated booking time so that we can prepare for your lesson. We run to a strict time schedule and if you are running late your lesson time will still conclude at the scheduled time. We cannot delay the commencement or extend the time of riding due to the late arrival of riders.
What to Wear
Please ensure riders wear long pants, preferably jodhpurs or pants with soft seams. Avoid wearing jeans as the hard seams may damage our leather saddles. Fully enclosed shoes with a flat sole and small heel (gumboots and sneakers are not acceptable footwear). We have a selection of riding boots available to hire/purchase but we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available. We will provide a helmet for you to hire and all customers are required to wear a hairnet if using a SVRS helmet. We also recommend you wear clothing appropriate to the weather conditions bearing in mind that we ride in all weather. Bring a drink to stay well hydrated and apply sunscreen prior to lesson.
Disclaimer
SVRS cannot guarantee all individuals on the property are vaccinated and individuals who enter the premises do so entirely at their own risk.