Horse Facilities CouncilOn Tuesday, October 11, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario (ARE-ONT) met to discuss the future of ARE-ONT. After looking at factors such as membership numbers, membership fees, and the cost to complete site accreditations, the proposal was made to conclude ARE-ONT as an independent association and create the fifth and final Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF) Council. The board unanimously agreed that it was in the best interests of ARE-ONT and its members to discontinue ARE-ONT and create the OEF Horse Facilities Advisory Council.
The move to the OEF is a positive change for ARE-ONT and will allow members to gain credibility as a direct OEF Council, increase membership numbers, and reduce membership fees. Membership numbers had been dormant for the last couple of years before the change and even remained so during and after the MPAC crisis. In order to accommodate the high costs of completing site visits and acquiring support staff, ARE-ONT had two choices: spend money that was not readily available to promote membership or increase membership fees and risk losing members. It was the natural move for ARE-ONT to join and operate under the OEF.
ARE-ONT members discussed the move to the Horse Facilities Council at the ARE-ONT Annual General Meeting held Friday, November 25, 2005 and it was undisputed that the move to the OEF Horse Facilities Council was in the best interest of members. The current Chair of the Horse Facilities Council is Grant Field. The Council Chair sits on the OEF Board of Directors and acts as a voice for the Horse Facilities Council.
Effective December 31, 2005, the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario ceased to exist. Facility members now renew their annual membership as a member of the Horse Facilities Council. Horse Facilities Council members receive an annual Individual Adult membership (including personal liability insurance) as well as the following promotional benefits – a text listing in the Ontario Horse Directory, online listing on the OEF website, the right to advertise in OEF publications, and the right to provide promotional material at special events.
Site visits will still take place; however, they will now be performed as an initial visit upon receipt of membership application, and will then be driven on a complaint basis. Previous ARE-ONT members will not be required to undergo a site visit unless prompted by a complaint, or if the facility is under new ownership/management.
If you have any questions or you interested in becoming a member, please contact Catherine Barker at opmgr@horse.on.ca or 1-877-441-7112 ext. 23.