Step N Stones, LLC – Liability Waiver

Step N Stone Stables, LLC

2420 John Petree Rd Powder Springs GA 30127

RIDER’S RELEASE AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM

Please read carefully before signing.  This form must be completed by and/or for each participant.  Serious injury may result from your participation in this activity. Step N Stone Stables, LLC do not guarantee your safety.

A. Registration of riders and agreement purpose: In consideration of the payment of a fee and the signing of this agreement, I, the following listed individual, and/or the parent or legal guardians thereof if a minor, do hereby voluntarily request and agree to participate in riding instruction as a student at Step N Stone Stables, LLC, and that this student will either ride his/her own horse or school horses provided by Step N Stone StablesEquestrian, LLC for instructional purposes, today and on all future dates. Further, I agree I shall wear correct, safe attire should be worn while riding, including an SEI certified ASTM standard F 1163 equestrian helmet and hard soled, heeled shoes, preferably with ankle support.

B. Disclosures: If said Rider has a physical or mental condition that may affect his/her safety and ability to ride a horse, it is recommended, although not required, to disclose this information to Step N Stone Stables LLC.  Please be advised that Step N Stone Stables, LLC is not qualified to treat and/or accommodate such conditions beyond reasonable recommendations directed by physician or other such qualified health professionals, and Step N Stone Stables, LLC will not be held responsible for any incidents resulting directly or indirectly from the conditions mentioned above.  

C. Agreement scope and territory and definitions: This agreement shall be legally binding upon me, the registered student, and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor, my heirs, estate, assigns, including all minor children, and personal representatives; and it shall be interpreted according to the laws of the state and country of Step N Stone Stables, LLC physical location.  Any disputes by the Rider shall be litigated in, and venue shall be in Cherokee County, GA.  If any clause, phrase, or word is in conflict with state law, then that single part is null and void.  The term “horse” herein shall refer to all equine species.  The term “horseback riding” herein shall refer to riding or otherwise handling of horses or ponies, whether from the ground or mounted.  The terms “student” and/or “rider” shall herein refer to a person who rides a horse mounted or otherwise handles or comes near a horse from the ground.  The terms “I”, “me”, “my” shall herein refer to the above registered student rider and the parents or legal guardians thereof if a minor.

D. Activity risk classification: I understand that horseback riding is classified as a rugged adventure recreational sport activity and that there are numerous obvious and non-obvious inherent risks always present in such activity despite all safety precautions.  According to NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance Systems of the United States Consumer Products), horse activities rank approximately 64th among the activities of people relative to injuries that result in a stay at U.S. hospitals.  Related injuries can be severe, requiring more hospital days and resulting in more lasting residual effects than injuries in other activities.

E. Rider responsibility: I understand that upon mounting a horse and taking up the reins, the Rider is in primary control of the horse.  The Rider’s safety largely depends upon his/her ability to carry out simple instructions and his/her ability to remain balanced aboard the moving animal.  I agree that the Rider shall be responsible for his/her own safety, including that of an unborn child, if the Rider is pregnant.  Pregnant women should ride horses only under the advice of their physician.  Step N Stone Stables, LLC advises pregnant women not to ride horses.

F. Conditions of nature and inspection of premises: I understand that Step N Stone Stables, LLC, is not responsible for total or partial acts, occurrences, or elements of nature that can scare a horse, cause it to fall, or react in some other unsafe way.  Some examples are: thunder, lightning, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals/insects/reptiles which may walk, run, fly near, bite or sting a horse or person; and irregular footing on out-of- door groomed or wild land which is subject to constant change in condition according to weather, temperature, and natural and man-made changes in landscape.  The Rider and parent or legal guardian have inspected Step N Stone Stables, LLC’s facilities and are satisfied that all premise conditions are reasonably safe for rider’s intended purpose, usage and presence upon Step N Stone Stables, LLC’s premises. 

G. Saddle girth/natural loosening: I understand that saddle girths (saddle fasteners around horse’s belly) may loosen during a ride.  If a Rider notices this, he/she must alert the riding instructor as quickly as possible so action can be taken to avoid slippage of saddle and a potential fall from the animal. 

H. Accident/medical insurance: I agree that should emergency medical treatment be required, I and/or my own accident/medical insurance company shall pay for all such incurred expenses.  My accident/medical insurance company is_________________________________and my policy number is __________________              __________________.

I. Protective headgear warning: I agree that I for myself and on behalf of my child and/or legal ward have been fully warned and advised by Step N Stone Stables, LLC that protective headgear which meets or exceeds the quality standards of the SEI certified ASTM standard F 1163 equestrian helmet must be purchased and worn while riding and being near horses and I do understand that the wearing of such headgear at these times may reduce severity of some of the wearer’s head injuries and possibly prevent the wearer’s death from happening as the result of a fall and other occurrences.

J. Liability release: I agree that in consideration of Step N Stone Stables, LLC allowing my participation in this activity, under the terms set forth herein, I, the Rider, for myself and/or on behalf of my child and/or legal ward, heirs, administrators, personal representatives or assigns, do agree to hold harmless, release, and discharge Step N Stone Stables, LLC, its owners, agents, employees, officers, directors, representatives, assigns, members, owners of premises and trails, affiliated organizations, and insurers, and others acting on its behalf (hereafter collectively referred to as “associates”), of and from all claims, demands, causes of action, and legal liability, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, due to Step N Stone Stables, LLC and/or its associates’ ordinary negligence; and I do further agree that except in the event of Step N Stone Stables, LLC gross negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, I shall not bring any claims, demands, legal actions and/or causes of action against Step N Stone Stables, LLC and/or its associates as stated above in the clause for any economic and non-economic losses due to bodily injury, death, property damage sustained by me and/or my minor child or legal ward in relation to the premises and operations of Step N Stone Stables, LLC, to include while riding, handling, or otherwise being near horses owned by or in the care, custody and control of Step N Stone Stables, LLC, whether on or off the premises of Step N Stone Stables, LLC.

Equine activity liability act warning:

WARNING UNDER GEORGIA LAW, AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR OR EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 12 OF TITLE 4 OF THE OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED. 

Warning

Read carefully before you sign this document releasing Step N Stone Stables LLC from any liability resulting from use of Step N Stone Stables LLC property, horses, equipment, or facilities. 

All riders and parents or legal guardians must sign below after reading this entire document:

Signer statement of awareness

I/ We, the undersigned, have read and do understand the foregoing agreement, warnings, release and assumption of risk.

I/ We further attest that all facts relating to the applicant’s mental/physical condition are true and accurate.

Please read carefully before checking the box. This is a legally binding agreement.

I hereby release, discharge, and agree not to sue Step N Stones, LLC—doing business under its own name or any other name—and/or any of its owners, officers, employees, agents, instructors, guides, or wranglers (hereinafter referred to as the “Releasees”) for any loss, liability, damage, or cost arising out of or related to any injury (including death), loss, or damage to myself, my child, our property, or that of any third party while participating in or observing any activities.

By agreeing to this waiver, I acknowledge and assume all risks associated with horseback riding, training, transporting horses, being on the premises, and participating in events both on-site and off-site (including but not limited to horse shows and trail rides). This waiver covers the date of signature and any events or visits on that day.

I understand and agree that this release and waiver is governed by the laws of the States of Alabama and Georgia and is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by applicable law. If any part of this agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to be fully enforceable.

I acknowledge that horseback riding and related activities involve risk of bodily injury, including but not limited to fractures, head trauma, and even death. I also understand that both horse and rider can be injured during normal daily activity, training, shows, or competition.

In the event that I (or my representative) file a lawsuit in violation of this agreement, I agree to pay all reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred by Step N Stones, LLC in defending such action.

Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment (if applicable):

I, the parent/guardian of the participant, agree to hold harmless and indemnify Melissa Joy Otts (Baker), Step N Stones, LLC, their instructors, staff, family members, and associated personnel from any liability or claims resulting from accident, injury, damage, or illness to myself, my child, my horse/animal, or any guest or spectator accompanying me on or off the property, including the premises at:

📍 2420 John Petree Rd, Powder Springs, GA 30127 and any off-site events or locations.