WRR Leasing Policies
What Does it Mean to Lease a Horse at the Windy Ridge Ranch?
When you lease a schooling horse at WRR, you share that horse’s time outside of lessons and other WRR
activities. As a lessee, you need to be aware of and plan around WRR’s
use of the horse, as well as your co-lessee's use if you share a lease. However, if you come
out to ride and WRR is using the horse, WRR may be willing to have you tack up
another horse to substitute for the activity -- just ask. If your riding time is limited to a specific day and time each week, you
can request that the horse not be used in WRR lessons at that time. The request should be made prior to the
registration deadline for the upcoming session. WRR will try to accommodate your requests whenever possible. Whenever your leased horse is
unavailable due to WRR activities or is unrideable (as determined by WRR), you may ride another horse. This does not apply to times when your co-lessee is riding your leased horse. In that case, if you want to ride at the same time, you must pay the practice riding fee to ride a different horse.
WRR posts its upcoming activities in advance (in the office and on the
website). If the only possible time for
you to ride coincides with a WRR activity for which your leased horse is
scheduled, you may contact Mark to see if he can use a different
horse. If you can ride at
another time that day, WRR asks that you do so. If a horse is going to be ridden more than 3.5 hours in one day
(including your usage), please let WRR know so they may reduce their usage of the
horse if possible. If your leased horse cannot be ridden (is sick
or lame), and you need to ride another
of our horses for an activitiy off the premises (overnighter, Sunday morning
trail rides, WSCA show, etc.), please be sure to notify the substitute horse’s
lessees so they do not make a trip out to the ranch only to find their horse is
not here.
Lessees receive discounts on group lessons.
(Dressage class not eligible for lessee discounts). See the WRR price list for current lessee lesson prices. For partial session
registration and transfer of missed lessons to the next session, lessees incur
only a $5 fee per missed lesson. Lessees
incur a $5 fee to make-up a one hour class in a 1.5 hour class. There is a 5% discount on multiple leases for families
(see price list).
When you half
lease, you share the horse’s available time with someone else. If both half lessees ride at the same time, a
practice riding or horse usage fee must be paid for the use of a second horse. Careful planning and good
communication between half lessees is important. Both half-lessees may not ride at the same time for the purpose of the
Drill Team or JETs unless one of the riders is willing to pay for the use of
an additional horse at the non-lessee rates listed in the DT and JETs handbook.
Read the leasing information and related links to discover the
positive and negative aspects of leasing as well as your responsibilities and
liabilities as a lessee. Talk to other
lessees about the advantages and disadvantages of leasing. If you are still interested in leasing, let
Mark know (in writing) that you want to be on the waiting list for
leasing. Include if you would like a
full or half lease; type of horse (or specific horse) in which you are interested;
type of riding you plan to do (dressage, drill team, games, trails);
approximately when you’d be riding – what time and days of the week. Children must have their parents sign this
letter.
Those on the waiting list longest have priority. However, horses and riders need to be matched carefully. A horse that becomes available may not be suitable for the person who has been on our waiting list the longest. For half share leases, we need to match the lessees to avoid conflicts in riding times and activities.
If My Leased Horse Can't Perform in One of My Favorite Riding Activities, Can I Ride a Different Horse?
Before you
begin/renew leasing a WRR horse, you should compare its characteristics and
limitations to your riding preferences/goals. To avoid overuse and hard feelings among lessees, do not plan to use
other WRR horses when your leased horse is available. However, you may ride other WRR horses in WRR
lessons (except jumping class) or at additional cost for other activities
(discounted lessee price). Some
exceptions may apply for those full leasing young or older horses (to be listed
in contract). Talk to Mark about any questions you may have about your horses's abilities.
What if My Co-Lessee Quits Leasing?
If a
another suitable half share lessee has not been found by your lease renewal
date you will need to switch to a full lease or switch to another horse which
has a half lease available. The exception
to this if the horse is being withdrawn from the leasing program or
half-leasing program.