RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration of my being allowed access and use, today and on all future dates of the property, facilities and
services for equine and other activities owned and managed by the Town of Athol, the New England Equestrian
Center of Athol and the New England Equestrian Land Management Conservation Corporation, (hereinafter
collectively referred to as MANAGER), the Rider, his heirs, assigns, and legal representatives, hereby expressly
agrees to the following:
1. I agree to assume ANY AND ALL RISKS INVOLVED IN OR ARISING FROM MY USE OF OR PRESENCE
UPON MANAGER’S PROPERTY AND/OR FACILITIES and to hold Manager and all of its successors, assigns,
subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents completely harmless and not liable and release
them from all liability whatsoever and I AGREE NOT TO SUE them on account of or in connection with any
claims, causes of action, injuries, damages, cost or expenses arising out of my use of or presence upon
Manager’s property and facilities, including without limitation bodily injury, property damage, the risks of death,
including consequential damages, falls, kicks, bites, collisions with vehicles, horses or stationary objects, fire or
explosion, the unavailability of emergency medical care, or the negligence or deliberate act of another person. It
is my responsibility and/or the owner of the horse’s responsibility to carry full and complete liability insurance
coverage on horse, personal property and himself. I agree to indemnify and defend Manager and all of its
successors, assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents against, and hold it
harmless from, any and all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney’
s fees, which in any way arise from my use of or presence upon the Manager’s property and facilities. I agree to
pay reasonable attorneys and expenses incurred by any and all persons benefiting from this document incurred
in defending any action I bring against them in violation hereof.
2. I certify that I am fully capable of participating in this activity; therefore, I assume full responsibility for
myself, including my minor children, for bodily injury, death and loss of personal property and expenses thereof
as a result of those inherent risks and dangers and my negligence in participating in this activity.
3. I agree to abide by all of Manager’s rules and regulations. Manger, its management staff, employees,
instructors and trail masters reserve the right, at their sole and absolute discretion: (1) to cancel any event or
make alterations in the itinerary as they deem necessary and/or appropriate; (2) to refuse to accept or retain
any person for participation in any ride; and (3) terminate the participation of any person and any program who
does not appear capable of handling the program without danger to the horse or other persons. This activity
entails risks of injury to participants and a risk of injury to spectators or third parties.
4. If I am using my horse, the horse shall be free from infection, contagious or transmissible disease.
Manager reserves the right to refuse horse if not in proper health or is deemed dangerous or undesirable. I
must present a negative coggins upon every entrance upon Manager’s land.
5. USE OF HELMET. It is mandatory that all riders under the age of 18 MUST wear a helmet and it is
recommended that all other riders wear a helmet.
6. I agree that I am riding at my own risk. I understand that horseback riding can involve being in remote
areas for extended periods of time, far from communication, transportation and medical facilities. That these
areas may have natural hazards which management cannot anticipate, eliminate, modify, or control, and
accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Some activities may involve dangers which arise from a great
variety of terrain and conditions including steep assent, meadows, winding forest paths, obstacles, change of
terrain and surface on short notice, water, swamp, presence of other animals and the like. Certain risks cannot
be eliminated without destroying the unique character of this activity. The same elements that contribute to the
unique character of this activity can cause loss or damage of equipment, accidental injury or illness, or, in
extreme cases, permanent trauma or death. In all instances, I am responsible for applying common sense.
7. This release and agreement applies not only to present claims but also to future claims and future equine
activities, unless and until it is revoked in writing. A revocation applies only to claims that accrue after the date
of revocation from incidents that occur after the date of revocation. I understand that I am not allowed to enter
any land of any person unless this document is in full force and effect without alteration, amendment or change.
No person has the authority to alter, amend, or change the provisions of this document insofar as they benefit or
might benefit the released person.
If a guardian of a person lacking legal capacity to contract sign this document, the signing person represents
and warrants that he has the legal authority to bind the person on whose behalf he signs.
This document is executed as the entire agreement of the undersigned as to the subject matter hereof under
Massachusetts law as a sealed instrument.
WARNING
Under Massachusetts law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in
equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to section 2D of chapter 128 of
the General Laws.
IN SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT, I FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT IF ANYONE IS HURT OR PROPERTY IS DAMAGED
WHILE I AM ENGAGED IN THIS ACTIVITY, I MAY HAVE NO RIGHTS TO MAKE A CLAIM OR FILE A LAWSUIT
AGAINST MANAGER, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, EMPLOYEES,
ASSOCIATES.
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY AND DO NOT SIGN IT UNLESS YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.
______________________________________________________ Dated _________________
(signature of individual rider)
______________________________________________________
(printed name of rider)
______________________________________________________ Dated _________________
(signature of parent/guardian for participants under 18 years of age)
NEELMCC reserves the right to keep and use any likenesses captured during this event
for public relations purposes.