New Policies for 2013 - Concussion and Heat Illness - Training Modules available at www.ponyclub.org
UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS OLICY STATEMENT SUBJECT: Concussion and Return to Play POLICY NO: 0126 EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/28/12 I. PHILOSOPHY: USPC is dedicated to maintaining high safety standards for our members. Due to the potential for injury inherent in equestrian sports the USPC believes in ongoing education in all areas of safety and that training/guidelines for our volunteers and members on the potential risks associated with concussion and return to play is needed. II. POLICY STATEMENT: The policy of the Board of Governors is that USPC is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of its members and volunteers and will take steps to adopt safe practices that promote the health and welfare of its members and volunteers. III. AMPLIFYING INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES: A. Concussion 1. USPC will develop concussion education modules and other pertinent information based on materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to inform and educate members and their parents or legal guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the continuance of play after concussion or head injury. 2. USPC requires all Pony Club volunteers in a leadership position within Pony Club and especially anyone involved directly with mounted or unmounted lessons or activities complete the concussion training module. 3. Instructors, parents, and active members who are instructing and other volunteers will be directed to complete the concussion training module. B. Return To Play 1. A member believed by a leader, coach, parent or official to have sustained a concussion during a USPC unmounted or mounted activity or competition shall be removed from play at that time and shall not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a physician or their designate and cleared to return to activities. IV. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY: The Safety Committee, the Vice President of Activities, the Vice President of Instruction and the President shall have oversight of this policy. V. ENACTMENT: Established: Date: 10/28/2012
UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS POLICY STATEMENT SUBJECT: Heat Illness POLICY NO: 0127 EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/27/13 I. PHILOSOPHY: USPC is dedicated to maintaining high safety standards for our members. USPC believes that ongoing education for our volunteers and members is needed about the potential risks associated with heat illness. II. POLICY STATEMENT: The policy of the Board of Governors is that USPC is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of its members and volunteers and will take steps to adopt safe practices that promote the health and welfare of its members and volunteers. II. AMPLIFYING INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES: A. Heat Illness 1. USPC will develop educational modules and other pertinent information, based on materials produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to inform and educate members and their parents or legal guardians of the nature and risk of heat illness. 2. USPC requires all Pony Club volunteers in a leadership position within Pony Club and especially anyone involved directly with mounted or unmounted lessons or activities to complete the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heat illness training module. 3. Instructors, parents, and active members who are instructing and other volunteers will be directed to complete the heat illness training module. B. Return To Play 1. A member believed by a leader, coach, parent or official of a USPC unmounted or mounted activity or competition to be suffering from heat illness shall be removed from play at that time and given appropriate treatment before being allowed to return to play. 2. Heat indices such as those outlined in the Heat Index, Uniform Officiation Rules, Appendix A of the USPC Horse Management Handbook and Rules for Rallies shall be considered when deciding the status of play for all USPC activities.
IV. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY: The Safety Committee, the Vice President of Activities, the Vice President of Instruction and the President shall have oversight of this policy. V. ENACTMENT: Established: Date: 1/27/2013 Board President