I reside at {address}.
In consideration for allowing me (and my minor child) to participate in activities and programs at Wings of Hope Ranch, Inc. (“Ranch”) including, but not limited to, working with and riding a horse and on behalf of myself, my child or our personal representatives, heirs, next-of-kin, spouses and assignees, I Hereby:
1. RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the Ranch, doing business under its own name or any other name, any parent or subsidiary company, and/or any of its board of directors, officers, instructors, volunteers, employees and agents (hereinafter the “Releasees”), for any loss, liability, damages, or cost whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury (including death) to my person or property.
2. INDEMNIFY, AND SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS the Releasees from and against any loss, liability, damage or cost they may incur arising out of or in any way connected with any of programs and activities at the Ranch, including, but not limited to, interacting with the horses and any equipment or gear provided therewith or any acts or omissions of volunteers or other employees or agents located at 13280 Tower Road, Doswell, VA 23047.
3. EQUINE ACTIVITIES. The equine activities in which I may participate may directly or indirectly engage, whether mounted or un-mounted, to include but not be limited to: horseback riding, groundwork and liberty work, training, or otherwise being a passenger upon an equine; and also petting, handling, leading, grooming, feeding and otherwise attending to the equine, are activities and events which pose potentially serious risks of injuries or death to the participants.
a. I understand that I may be injured or die as a result of my negligence, the negligence of others, or through no fault of me or anyone else but because of the nature of the activity in which I am going to be engaged. I also understand that horses, even the most well-trained animals, are unpredictable and may be difficult to control. At any time, a horse may, without warning or any apparent cause, buck, stumble, fall, rear, bite, kick, run, make unpredictable movements, spook, jump obstacles, step on a person’s feet, push or shove a person, saddles, girths, or bridles may loosen, or break – all of which may cause the rider to fall or be jolted, resulting in serious injury or death.
b. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HORSEBACK RIDING IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND INVOLVES RISKS THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND IN SOME CASES DEATH, because of the unpredictable nature and irrational behavior of horses, regardless of their training and past performance. I represent that I voluntarily assume the risk and danger of injury or death inherent in the use of the horse, equipment and gear provided to me by the Ranch.
c. I release the Releasees from any claim that such Releasees are or may be negligent in connection with my riding experience or ability, including but not limited to, training or selecting horses, maintenance, care, fit or adjustment of saddles or bridles, instruction or riding skills or leading and supervising riders. While on the Ranch property I will abide by all rules and guidelines imposed by the Ranch. I understand that refusal to abide by these rules my result in being asked to leave for my safety and the safety of others.
d. If I wish to participate in ranch activities such as equine riding, I understand that it is my sole responsibility to discuss any contraindicated medical conditions with Ranch staff, and that in the Ranch’s sole discretion, I may not be able to participate in certain activities such as equine riding for safety reasons. At the Ranch’s sole discretion, I may be required to obtain a medical release from my doctor to participate in certain activities such as equine riding.
i. I do not have any known medical condition, including but not limited to, atlantoaxial instability, epileptic seizures, heart condition, pregnancy, or any other medical diagnoses or symptoms related thereto that could be affected by equine riding activities.
e. With this waiver, I accept notice of the provisions of the Equine Activity Liability Act, Sections 3.2-6200 through 3.2-6203 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, which states in part, the intrinsic dangers or conditions that are an integral part of equine activities, including but not limited to (i) the propensity of an equine to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm or death to persons on or around them; (ii) the unpredictability of an equine's reaction to sounds, sudden movements, and unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals; (iii) certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions; (iv) collisions with other animals or objects; and (v) the potential of a participant acting in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the equine or not acting within the participant's ability. This waiver shall remain valid unless expressly revoked by me, or if a minor, by a parent or guardian, in writing, with receipt acknowledged in writing by an agent/director of the Ranch.
COVID-19 Waiver and Policy
I am aware that COVID-19 is an infectious virus that spreads easily through person-to-person contact and could cause serious illness to individuals who have certain medical risk factors. Federal and state public health authorities and the Ranch have issued basic health and safety guidance aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. I understand that my participation in any activities or accessing facilities owned or managed by the Ranch could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. The Ranch in no way warrants that any protective measures prescribed for the activities or in order to access the facilities will completely prevent exposure to the COVID-19 virus. I agree to follow all public health and safety guidelines for the activities and freely and voluntarily assume the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
I agree that if I am experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms as described in CDC guidelines, that I will follow the CDC guidance for testing and quarantine/limiting exposure to others.
BY SIGNING THESE WAIVERS AND RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP, WAIVING AND RELEASING, ANY RIGHT I MIGHT HAVE TO SUE OR MAKE A CLAIM AGAINST THE RANCH, any parent or subsidiary company, and/or any of its board of directors, officers, instructors, volunteers, employees and agents, FOR ANY INJURIES THE I MIGHT SUSTAIN TO MY PERSON OR MY PERSONAL PROPERTY, WHILE HORSEBACK RIDING OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, MOUNTED OR UNMOUNTED, IN ANY EQUINE ACTIVITY AT THE RANCH, AND
THAT I AM INDEMNIFYING AND HOLDING HARMLESS THE RANCH, any parent or subsidiary company, and/or any of its board of directors, officers, instructors, volunteers, employees and agents, FOR INJURIES TO ANYONE ELSE OR ANY HORSE RIDDEN BY ANOTHER WHILE I AM ENGAGED IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES OR ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE RANCH.
IT IS MY INTENT TO GIVE UP THOSE RIGHTS AND PROVIDE THIS HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT. I DO SO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BECAUSE I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE RISKS INVOLVED AND THE RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY IS WORTH MY, AND/OR MY CHILD’S, PARTICIPATION IN THE RANCH’S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
I acknowledge that this document is a contract and agree that if a lawsuit is filed against the Ranch or its affiliates, parent or subsidiary companies, agents, volunteers, employees, officers or directors, for any injury or damage in breach of this contract, the Participant will pay all attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the Ranch in defending such an action.