PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
In consideration of the services of Eryn Macy Stables Co., d/b/a C&M Stables Division, their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as “C&MSD”), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge C&MSD, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows:
1. I acknowledge that my participation horseback riding activities entail known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.
The risks may include but is not limited to: exposure to and travel in rugged terrain, exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; exposure to temperature and weather extremes; losing control of the horse and falling; my own physical condition, and physical exertion associated with this activity. A horse, regardless of its training and usual past behavior, may act unpredictably at times based upon instinct or fright which may cause you to be thrown from your horse or injured by the horse. Horses may do such things as bite, kick, buck, lie down, or stumble. Saddles may slip and other tack or saddle problems may develop as a result of normal use and wear. Your horse may collide with obstacles or encounter variations in terrain such as creeks, water, bridges, traveled roads, wild animals, birds, stumps, forest growth, debris, rocks and cliffs and other obstacles whether obvious or not and whether man made or natural. Riding a horse requires the participant to balance on the saddle. Saddle girths are saddle fasteners around horse’s belly might loosen during a ride. If a rider notices this, he/she must alert the nearest guide or wrangler as quickly as possible so action can be taken to avoid slippage of saddle and a potential fall from the horse. Accidents or illness can occur in remote places without medical facilities and emergency treatment or other services rendered. Furthermore, C&MSD personnel have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant’s fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather or other environmental conditions. They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.
2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless C&MSD from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of C&MSD's equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of C&MSD.
4. Should C&MSD or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against C&MSD, I agree to do so solely in the state of Oregon, and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against C&MSD on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I also agree that this document is valid for subsequent visits and participation at C&MSD. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.
