​Please familiarise yourself with our policy and ask our staff should you have any queries. These terms are subject to change without notice. 

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Regular, Term and Casual Riders 

 

• In order for regular/term riders to avoid a 100% cancellation forfeit of paid fees we request they must give us a minimum of 48 hours notice should they be unable to attend their lesson for any reason.  If less than 48 hours notice is given, no makeup lesson or credit will be available. Makeup lessons are to be booked before the end of the current term period, where the lesson has been cancelled from. If any due makeup lessons have not been made up before the end of the current term, irrespective of the reason, they cannot be carried forward into holidays or next terms, nor will a credit or refund be offered. Fees are forfeit. 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 Victorian School Term dates.

• 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 or no refund will be offered. 

• 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 alternate arrangement (if a suitable time is available) in the upcoming term. 

• Lessons cannot be paid short for the term. Full Term fees apply. If a rider cannot attend the full term, then casual rates apply.  

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• 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: 

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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. 

 

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, Dressage Clinics, 3 Day Events) 

Should you need to cancel out of your clinic for any reason; all monies paid will be forfeited.  

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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. VPRS 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, VPRS 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 ​

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Refunds

If a refund is requested for any remaining ECPRO account credit, a 10% processing fee will be deducted from the refund total. 

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Weight Restrictions ​

We have a safety weight restriction to ensure the safety both our horses and our customers. Our customer maximum weight restriction is 90/95kg, with all riding gear and equipment on. 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 VPRS staff may ask you to be weighed and if your weight exceeds our maximum safety weight restriction, VPRS may cancel your lesson and all monies paid by you will be forfeited. 

  

VPRS Gift Vouchers ​

All VPRS 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. 

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Check In ​

All riders are requested to arrive 15minutes 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. Semi-private or group late arrivals may forfeit their lesson entirely due to the disruption to the other riders and horses welfare.

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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 borrow/purchase but we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available.  We will provide a helmet for you to borrow and all customers are required to wear a hairnet if using a VPRS 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. 

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Disclaimer 

Valley Park cannot guarantee all individuals on the property are vaccinated and individuals who enter the premises do so entirely at their own risk.