What is the OPRC?
The Old People's Riding Club (OPRC) welcomes riders from all disciplines
over the age of 21. We have English riders, Western riders, dressage riders,
jumper riders, pleasure-trail riders, endurance riders, combined training
riders, the full spectrum. We also have members who love horses but do
not ride.
The purpose of the OPRC is to have safe, enjoyable riding activities, meet
other riders with fresh new outlooks on the sport, and encourage knowledge
of horses all around.
Check out the
June 2001,
October
2003 and
July
2006 issues of
Practical Horseman
Magazine where you will find feature articles about us.
Horsenews
Online, the
Chronicle of the Horse,
Equestrian
Network Magazine,
and others have also published articles about our club.
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How and why did the OPRC begin?
In 1998, Hope Jacob, our founder, began this club with four visionary members.
Together, we outlined our goals and priorities with this club: To create
a Club for the over 21 equestrian based on the high standards of the USPC,
without excluding riders of disciplines outside the English hunter-jumper
world. Today, there are in excess of 600 members in almost 30 chapters across
the U.S.
The OPRC is up and running across North America. The number of
clubs is rapidly growing, as we get numerous inquiries every day.
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Is OPRC affiliated with USPC?
The OPRC is not affiliated with the United States Pony Club, but we respect and incorporate
their high standards in all of our activities. Some OPRC members are also active with their local
USPC and some OPRC members are former USPC members.
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How is the OPRC organized?
The OPRC has a National Office located in Lothian, Maryland,
and OPRC Chapters throughout the United States. The National OPRC
has officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Coordinator)
and a Board of Directors to review issues, create policies, and update the
Bylaws. Each chapter has
a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Coordinator,
as well as other officers determined by the chapter.
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Is the National OPRC a non-profit organization?
Yes. The National OPRC is a non-profit corporation, as described
in Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, and has been recognized
as such by a letter dated June 18, 2003, from the Internal Revenue Service.
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Does the non-profit status apply to individual
chapters?
No. Extension
of the non-profit status of the National OPRC to the individual chapters was
not approved. However, individual chapters are encouraged to attain a non-profits
status.
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What are the requirements for membership
in OPRC?
Anyone aged 21 or older who agrees to abide
by the OPRC Bylaws may be a member of OPRC. Members are not required to be
expert riders or horse owners; in fact, non-riders and non-owners are welcomed
as members. Additionally, members of all horse disciplines (English, Western,
driving, etc.) at all skill levels are welcomed as members.
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Does the OPRC have safety standards?
Of course! We have incorporated the rating system of the United States Pony
Club (USPC) into our club; however, we have modified the ratings to suit the
older rider, the Western rider, and the English rider who does not jump. We
have also incorporated more safety topics into the rating tests. To participate
in mounted OPRC activities, all riders must get rated as at least a D1 (ratings
are not required for non-riders). A member may remain a D1 forever, or ambitious
members can climb the ratings as high as they wish to be challenged.
OPRC also requires ALL riders in OPRC activities (members and guests) to
wear an ASTM/SEI approved safety helmet, heeled boots
designed for equestrian activities, and a medical armband.
If a guest does not own a medical armband, the OPRC has
a
medical form to be completed before the ride.
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What is required for members to participate
in OPRC mounted activities?
To participate in OPRC mounted activities, a member must:
1) have passed the OPRC D1 test,
2) be in possession of their National OPRC Membership Card,
3) wear an ASTM-approved helmet,
4) wear heeled boots designed for equestrian activities, and
5) wear a visible medical armband.
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Where can I purchase a medical armband?
Medical armbands are available for purchase
at many tack stores. They are also available for purchase on the internet
at many sites, including:
US
Eventing Association:
Dover
Saddlery:
Individual chapters may decide to place a
bulk order for all current and future chapter members. The armbands may also
be sold, usually at cost, at OPRC activities open to the public.
You can download the medical form for inside the plastic holder here.
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What is the dues structure for OPRC?
The OPRC membership year is January to December
of each calendar year. Individual chapters determine the amount of their
annual chapter dues; the lowest possible dues are recommended. A total of
$35 annually is a recommended amount, but some chapters charge higher fees
to cover the cost of their chapter-sponsored functions, and others charge
less if they have profitable fund-raising activities. For each member, from
the chapter dues, the chapter sends $10 annually to cover the National OPRC
dues, which pays the National OPRC costs (web site, web access, office supplies,
telephone, FAX, copier, postage, lawyer fees, Board of Directors insurance,
reimbursement of BOD members' costs, etc.). There is a $5 fee for late renewing
members (mailed after March 31, see below).
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When are National OPRC dues payments owed
by chapters?
The $10 annual dues for each new chapter
member is payable by the chapter to the National OPRC within a month of the
member's joining the chapter. The $10 annual National OPRC dues for renewing
members are due by March 31 of each calendar year. Dues mailings postmarked
after March 31 sustain a $5 late fee per member, resulting in a $15 fee per
member for late renewals.
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Can a chapter have family memberships?
Yes. Chapters may develop family memberships
(husband and wife, mother and daughter, etc.) with reduced chapter dues.
For example, a chapter may charge $35 annual dues for one person and $50 for
two members of a family. However, the National OPRC dues rate is $10 for
ALL members, regardless of the manner in which they joined a chapter. All
members must be 21 years of age or older.
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Is chapter insurance required? Is there
a liability release form?
Equine liability release insurance is highly encouraged,
but not required, for individual chapters. Whether nor not
a chapter is insured, before using a facility/site and a clinician/instructor/rater,
the chapter must ensure the facility/site and the clinician/instructor/rater
are properly insured for the activity. Additionally, each
year every member must sign an OPRC
Liability Release Form . Guests at open activities also
must sign the
OPRC Liability Release Form. The chapter keeps these
forms on file.
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What activities does OPRC sponsor?
Most OPRC activities are organized by the individual chapters - the ideas
and activities are endless! For example, chapters have sponsored horse shows
(English and Western); polocrosse; English clinics in jumping, combined training,
and dressage (also enjoyed by Western riders); Western clinics in flat work,
barrel racing, reining (all of these also enjoyed by English riders); and
clinics in driving, trailer loading, vaulting, swimming with your horse, etc.
Chapters also have sponsored trail rides and horse camps, as well as family
days and open horse shows. Since a goal of OPRC is education, most chapter
meetings include a speaker on horse topics such as nutrition, shoeing, veterinary
care, emergencies, trail safety, etc. Chapters have also sponsored "field
trips" to veterinary hospitals, horse races, etc. In many of these chapter
activities, members of other OPRC chapters may be invited to participate.
The bottom line - OPRC activities are endless and are determined by the needs,
requests, and ingenuity of the membership and the thrust of local horse activities.
The National OPRC also sponsors activities
for all OPRC members such as equestrian vacations (Majorca Spain, Ireland,
and a Colorado trail ride) and works with chapters that would
like to host a National OPRC Rally.
As OPRC grows, we anticipate rallies in other areas of the US.
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Can a chapter sponsor mounted activities
for non-members?
Yes. Although OPRC is primarily designed for members and
member activities, chapters may sponsor a few mounted activities
per year during which non-members are invited. Such public
activities may include a family and friends day during which
non-member family members, including children, may participate
in mounted activities such as a fun show, a trail ride,
a mounted treasure hunt, etc. Chapters may also hold a
mounted fund raising and/or membership recruitment activity.
During these non-member activities, all OPRC requirements
must be followed: all riders must wear an ASTM approved
helmet, wear heeled boots designed for equestrian
activities, and wear a medical armband or, for non-members
without medical armbands, have an
OPRC Medical Release Form worn conspicuously on the
person (preferable) or inside the helmet. Additionally,
guests must sign the OPRC
Liability Release Form .
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How can I get started?
You can join an existing OPRC chapter or form a new chapter
in your area. To locate a chapter in your area, go to the
"
Chapters" link on the OPRC Home
Page. If there is no chapter in you area, go to the "
How
to Form a Chapter" link on the OPRC Home Page to find
out how to form a new chapter.
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How does OPRC National Serve me?
Provides guidelines and structure of chapters
• President's start-up handbook available by request
from President
• Helps get new chapters up and running
• Provides ideas for advertising, flyers, etc.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to the chapter leaders
who request it.
• Answers questions about any issues relating to conduct & procedures
of running a chapter
Provides a website:
- articles and exchange of ideas for clinics, meetings, etc.
- post photographs of chapter OPRC events
- all important specific standards for furthering members
equine education.
- 1.5 MB of free web space that your webmaster can develop
as they see fit.
- a sub-domain name http://<your chapter’s name>.oldpeoplesridingchapter.org
- a password protected secure online database where each
chapter’s President can view and
correct their members information
Provides an opportunity for each chapter to submit an application
to win the $500 award for their
chapter’s use.
Provides a nationally known name brand "OPRC" logo
that comes with positive PR in national
publications such as Practical Horseman.
Provides rating certificates and the opportunity for
you to print
your own membership card for all riding members.
Provides a national support network of members located all
over North America.
Provides club liability insurance.
Provides Year End Award for points earned at shows sponsored
outside of OPRC.
Provides a chance to participate in a very low key National
Rally competition.
Provides a chance to attend annual OPRC luncheon.
Provides a Board of Directors
• Works and communicates daily regarding improvements
and issues that arise.
• Board meets annually to vote on new programs and services
of the OPRC
• Board acts as a sounding board to OPRC members via
email and phone
How to contact us.
Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact us.
Welcome to OPRC and have fun safely!
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