The Michigan Reining Horse Association is an affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association and was founded for the purpose of promoting the reining horse in the state of Michigan. It is our aim to advance the sport to a well-organized and an equally well-conducted event that everyone can enjoy. It is also our purpose to insure that every contestant desiring to rein, a fair and equal chance. Therefore, a uniform set of bylaws, rules, and regulations governing a reining event was considered necessary.
Michigan Reining Horse Association Constitution and Bylaws (As Amended May 6, 2005)
Section 1: This organization shall be known as the
Michigan Reining Horse Association (MRHA) and is a non-profit organization in
accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.
Section 2: Objectives: To promote and encourage the
showing of reining horses; the development of suitable and proper standards of
performance and judging intended to govern all reining horse contests sponsored
by the Michigan Reining Horse Association and to develop and disseminate
informational material deemed desirable to provide contestants and spectators a
better understanding of a proper performance of the reining horse in the show
arena.
Section 1: Only members who reside in the State of
Michigan and are over the age of 21 as of the fiscal year may become Officers or
serve on the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The elected Officers and Directors of the
Association will be the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President,
Immediate Past President, and four (4) board members. The elected board may
appoint up to four (4) more directors if they choose to do so.
Section 3: The business of this association shall be managed by its Officers and its Board of Directors.
Section 1: Nominations for the elected Officers and Directors of the Association will be named by a nominating committee, selected by the President, and composed of members of the Board of Directors. There will be at least one (1) nomination for each elected position. The nominating committee will report their nominations to the President no less than ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting of the Association.
Section 2: At the written request of ten (10) members in good standing with the Association, the name of any other candidates for elected Officers or Directors will be placed in nomination and notice shall be immediately given to the membership, provided said written request is placed in the hands of the Secretary not less than sixty (60) days proper to the annual meeting of the Association.
Section 3: Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. Absentee ballots, bearing the signature of the member in good standing which are not at the annual meeting of the Association, will be received in hand to be counted at the annual meeting of the Association. No proxy voting will be allowed.
Section 4: The election of Officers and Directors at the Annual Meeting shall be by closed ballot.
Section 5: All elected members of the Officers and Board of Directors will serve a term of two-years. Appointed Directors will serve a term of one year and may be reappointed. The immediate Past President will serve a one-year term immediately following his/her term as president.
Section 1: The President will preside at all meetings of the Association. The President will appoint all special and standing committees and conduct the business of the Association in accordance with the bylaws, rules, and regulations. The President will be an ex-officio member of all committees. Furthermore, he or she may also head a committee if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. The President will serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors and manage the affairs of the Association. He/she may sign, with the secretary or any other proper officer of the Association thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Association, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of the President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. The President may only vote on matters before the Board of Directors in the event of a tie vote.
Section 2: It will be the duty of the First Vice-President to perform all duties of the President in the case of the President’s absence, disability, resignation, or removal.
Section 3: It will be the duty of the Second Vice-President to perform all duties of the President, and First Vice-President in case of their absence, disability, resignation, or removal.
Section 4: It will be the duty of the Immediate Past President to bring continuity to the newly elected Officers and Board Members and is a voting member of the board.
Section 5: The officers shall be in charge of the daily operational responsibilities of the Association, including but not limited to decisions necessary for continuity and those requiring immediate attention. All other matters of concern will be brought before the Board of Directors at a regular meeting. The Officers shall not involve the Association in long-term contractual agreements exceeding one-hundred dollars ($100) without the consent of the Board of Directors. All Officers of the Association are ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.
Section 6: Any officer elected by the membership may be removed by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors. However, in its judgment, the best interest of the Association would be served thereby, by such removal shall without prejudice in the contract right, in any, if the person is so removed.
Section 7: Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or other will be filled by means of succession for the remaining term of said office with the exception of the Immediate Past President. In the event that all Officer positions become vacant, an Executive Director will be appointed by the Board and perform the duties of the Officers until an elections is held at a special or the Annual Meeting of the Association. In the event that the Board if unable to appoint an Executive Director, it will become the responsible of the membership to appoint an Executive Director.
Section 1: The Board of Directors shall have general charge of the affairs and finances and property of the Association, to which they shall report at the annual meeting.
Section 2: The Board of Directors will appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer may be the same person or two separate people. Secretary and Treasurer must be a current member of MRHA in good standing.
Section 3: The Board of Director will be empowered to fill vacancies occurring in said Board. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining Officers and Directors of the Association. Said appointee must still come under the criteria of Article 2, Section 1 of these bylaws. A director appointed to fill that vacancy will continue to hold this position for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
Section 4: The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at such time and place as they shall determine, and every director will receive an agenda and notice not less than seven (7) days prior to every regular meeting. Notice and purpose of any special meeting shall be given at leave five (5) days previously thereto by mail, phone, fax, or email to each Director. The “attendance” of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of two thirds (2/3) of the Officers and Board members, a majority of such quorum shall decide upon any question that may come before the meeting.
Section 5: Any Board of Director member that misses more than three (3) unexcused meeting per year will be replaced by the remaining Board of Directors. Unexcused shall be defined as without prior notice to the President or Secretary.
Section 6: A youth member will be appointed to the Board of Directors as a Michigan Youth Reining Horse Association representative without voting privileges.
Section 7: Each Director and officer shall be indemnified by the Association against any liability and/or expenses reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with the defense of any action suit, or proceeding instituted in which he/she may be made party defendant by reason of his/her being or have been a Director or officer of the Association. Liability and/or expense shall include the cost of reasonable settlement made with a view of avoiding the cost of litigation and the payment of any judgment or decree entered in such action, suit, or proceeding. The Association shall not, however, indemnify such Director or officer with respect to matters as to which he/she shall be finally adjudged in any such action suit, or proceeding to have been derelict in the performance of his/her duties as such officer or Director, and in no way shall anything herein be so construed as to authorize the Association to indemnify as such director or officer against any liability he/she would be subject to by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his/her office. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which any Director or officer may be entitled as a matter of law. Said indemnity shall also ensure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrator of such person.
Section 1: The duties of the Secretary will be defined by the Board of Directors and shall report and function in close harmony with the President. Duties will be defined by the Board of Directors to which the Secretary shall report.
Section 2: The duties of the Treasurer will be defined by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall report and function in close harmony with the President. The Treasurer will be responsible for the financial business of the Association and will present financial reports to the Board of Directors at each board meeting. The Treasurer will maintain a checking account and, if finances allow, a savings account for the Association with signature cards completed for both the Treasurer and the President. Additional duties will be defined by the Board of Directors to which the Treasurer will report.
Section 1: There shall be a division of the Michigan Reining Horse Association and shall operate within the scope of the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the MRHA and shall herewith also re referred to as the Michigan Youth Reining Horse Association (MYRHA).
Section 2: Objectives of the MYRHA are
a. To develop sportsmanship, leadership, and other desirable traits
b. To promote pride in ownership of reining horses among youth members
c. To teach and learn safe horsemanship, both care and handling of horses
d. To improve and develop the ability of youth members through group participation
e. To be of service to MRHA
Section 3: Membership. Members of MYRHA shall consist of and be limited to those members of MRHA who are not yet nineteen (19) years old by January 1st of current year. Initial membership to the MYRHA shall be accompanied by a birth certificate or NRHA youth card to establish birth date for eligibility to accumulate show points in the correct age division. All MYRHA members shall abide by the rules of the National Reining Horse Association and the MRHA. A member in good standing of the MYRHA shall be entitled to all rights and privileges for the Youth Association which includes the right and privileges for members of the MRHASection 1: The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place designated by the Officers and Board of Directors. Notice will be given to each member no less than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual meeting of the Association, together with a form of absentee ballot for the election of officers, directors, and by law amendments. A Special meeting of the Members of the Association may be called by the Officers and Board of Directors with no less than thirty (30) days notice regarding items needing immediate attention
Section 1: An individual of good character and reputation interested in reining horse may become a member of this Association.
Section 2: Members shall be admitted and retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Michigan Reining Horse Association.
Section 3: Each member of the Association shall pay annual membership dues to the MRHA. Said dues are due and payable at the commencement of each calendar year. The calendar year of the Association will be January 1 through December 31 of each year.
Section 4: Life membership in the Michigan Reining Horse Association is considered an individual membership and is also available.
Section 5: All dues to the association shall be set by the Officers and Board of Directors
Section 6: All monies paid to MRHA must be in US funds.
Section 1: The Officers and Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting of the Association a full and complete statement of the business and affairs of the Association for the preceding year. Such statements shall be prepared and presented in whatever manner the Officers and Board of Directors deem advisable and need not be verified by certified public accountant, unless the Board of Directors feel that such verification of the statement is warranted.
Amendments to the bylaws must be presented to the MRHA Officers and Board of Directors by the Rules Committee Chairperson at the fall (current year) MRHA Board of Directors meeting. At this time, the rules will be discussed. Any recommended changes or additions to the Bylaws will be sent back to the Rules Committee Chairperson for revision. At the following meeting, the revised Bylaw Amendments will then be voted on by the Officers and Board of Directors. All approved bylaw changes will then be sent by written notice to the General Membership via ballot, for final approval, no less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting of the Association.
Dissolution Bylaw
In the event of the dissolution of this club/Association, any assets remaining after club liabilities have been met will be turned over to the National Reining Horse Association or another organization having similar nonpartisan, non-profit objectives as determined by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Association (MRHA). In such an event, a special meeting of the remaining members of the Association will be called with no less than thirty (30) days notice of said meeting.
These rules and regulations are set by the Officers and Board of Directors of the Michigan Reining Horse Association.
Section 1: Membership Fees – Upon purchase of MRHA Membership, member agrees to abide by the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Association.
A. Annual individual membership $25
B. Individual lifetime membership $200
C. Annual Youth Membership $15 (Youth must purchase regular membership to participate and be eligible for year-end monies/points to accumulate in any other classes.)
Section 2: Disciplinary Procedure
Any member or non-member may be disciplined or suspended from the Association and may be denied all privileges of the Association by the Officers and Board of Directors, whenever it shall have been established by satisfactory evidence in a hearing conducted by the Officers and the Board of Directors that such a member or non-member has knowingly and willfully violated any Bylaws or Rules of the Association. Anyone who become a member of the Association or becomes involved in a contractual agreement with the Association accepts to be bound by all the Bylaws and Rules of the Association and renounces to any recourse which he/she may have against the Association, so long as the latter acts in good faith in compliance with the Bylaws and Rules.
A. Whenever anyone shall be accused of any violations, he/she shall be given not less than thirty (30) days written notice of a time and place for hearing such accusation by the Officers, Board of Directors, or by an appropriate committee, at such time an place he/she will have the opportunity, in person or by counsel to be heard and to present evidence in his/her behalf, and to hear and refute evidence offered against him/her.
B. When a member or non-member is disciplined or suspended, the name of such member or non-member will be published in the MRHA Newsletter and on the MRHA web site.
C. Any other disciplinary procedures regarding Show Conduct, abuse to horse, judge, show management, or contestants, etc, refer to the NRHA Handbook or your NRHA Show Representative.
D. The decision and action of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding on all parties. Any members or non-member may be suspended and/or denied privileges of the Association, by the approved show official or official there of, or may be denied privileges of the Association by the Treasurer of the Association for the failure to pay when due any obligation owed to the Association or for giving a worthless check for entry fees, stall fees, office charges, premiums or any other fees, charges connected with the exhibition of reining horses, provided, however, that fifteen (15) days before action by the Treasurer, written notice of the account due and the intention to suspend or withhold privileges of the Association shall be delivered to such members or non-member. Any suspension and denial of privileges under this section shall terminate upon full payment of the obligation due the Association. Every notice required by these rules and regulations may be served by delivery of a copy of the notice to the person to be served, or his/her attorney, either in person or by mail, postage prepaid, to his/her last known address as it appears on the Association’s records and upon mailing such notice, shall be deemed received by such person when it is deposited in the United States mail.
E. There is a $25 charge for all retuned checks. Furthermore, any unpaid bills by a member or non-member (entry fees, stall fees, shavings fees, advertising fees, sponsor commitment fees, etc) past ninety (90) days may be subject to disciplinary procedures.
Section 3: Conduct and Protests
Any complaint or protest must be in writing and filed with the Secretary at the MRHA office. Upon receipt, all complaints or protests will be referred to the MRHA Officers and Board of Directors for investigation and recommendation. If, in the Officers and Board of Director’s judgment, it is not sufficiently serious to warrant a full hearing, thereon, they will report the same with a recommendation for appropriate action. Any complaint or protest must be accompanied by a cashier's check, certified check, money order, or cash in the amount of $100 and must be in writing and filed with MRHA within ten (10) days of the incident. If the protest is disallowed, the protest fee will not be refunded. If the protest is allowed, the protest fee will be refunded.
Furthermore, the person filing the protest will be liable for the cost of such protest and all damages which may result there from, if the protest is not sustained. In the event the Officers and Board of Directors does not uphold the complaint, the complaintee will be responsible for any cost incurred.
Section 4 – all meetings of the Officers and Board of Directors will be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 5 – Green Reiner
Purpose: To enable non-professional riders with little or no experience to compete at an entry-level class and to experience the fun, excitement, and camaraderie of reining competition. Also, to allow some older reining horses to be able to come back and compete in a class where the rider has the option of showing with two hands.
Green Reiner I – This is the entry-level class for non-professional riders who have not earned $10 lifetime or 10 points lifetime in NRHA/MRHA competition. If a Green Reiner I is eligible for this class at the beginning of a show season, they remain eligible for the entire season. Any points earned in this class will not count toward Green Reiner II eligibility. Green Reiner I will run as a one- or two-handed class which will be at the option of the rider. However, either style used must be consistent throughout the pattern and will be scored impartially by the judge. The pattern designated will be altered to consist of two spins both directions and simple lead changes in both directions. Simple lead changes, where a lead change is called for in the pattern, the horse must come to a complete stop then depart. Rider does not need to own the horse. Rider must be a current MRHA member to show.
Green Reiner II – This is the class to which Green Reiner I riders will graduate if and when they are no longer eligible for the Green Reiner I class. This class is for non-professional riders who have not won $50 lifetime or 50 points in NRHA/MRHA competition. If a Green Reiner II is eligible for this class at the beginning of a show season, they stay eligible for the entire season. Green Reiner II will run as a one- or two-handed class which will be at the option of the rider. However, either style used must be consistent throughout the pattern and will be scored impartially by the judge. Green Reiner II class will run NRHA approved patterns. Rider does not need to own the horse. Rider must be a current MRHA member to show.
Year-End Awards will be issued based on points accumulated at the end of the current year. Points will be tabulated using the NRHA Youth Scale with 0 scores not placing. Once a rider has received $50 lifetime or 50 points lifetime in NRHA/MRHA competitions, he/she will be unable to participate in the MRHA Green Reiner program.
Note: A Non Pro shall be defined as a person who at the time of the Non Pro application has not won in excess of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) in Category 1 and 2 open reining competition. A Non Pro shall further be defined as a person who has not given lessons for remuneration and/or has not directly or indirectly shown, trained, or assisted in the training of a horse ridden astride for remuneration – this does not include prize money. Payment of entry fees and/or expense by anyone other than the Non Pro, his/her immediate family, or a corporation, partnership, or other business entity in which the Non Pro and/or a member of his/her immediate family are the sole and only owner, shall be considered remuneration except for demonstration, exhibitions, or international team competitions where the Non Pro is a member of the nationally-sponsored team.
Section 6 – Michigan Affiliate Circuit Year-end Awards
MRHA will award pewter trophies to Michigan Affiliate Circuit champions and plaques to its Circuit Reserve Champions in NRHA Category 1 classes. In Category 3 and Category 5 classes, plaques will be awarded to Circuit Champions and Reserve Champions. These awards will be presented at the Annual MRHA Awards Banquet that follows the MRHA show season.
Qualifications: Michigan Circuit Year-end Awards will be given for the following classes: Open, Intermediate open, Limited Open, Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Novice Horse Open, Novice Horse Non Pro, Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14-18, and Rookie.
Owner and rider must be a member in good standing with MRHA/NRHA at the time of competition for points to count toward Michigan Affiliate Circuit year-end awards.
Points are to accumulate on a one-horse, one-rider format.
Points will be awarded on the number of horses actually competing in the class; i.e., if fifteen (15) horses compete in a class, 1st place will be awarded 15, points, 2nd pace – 14 points, etc. Points will be calculated on horses actually competing, excluding the horses entered by scratched. Zeros and no scores will not be awarded points.
MRHA will post the Michigan Affiliate Circuit year-end standings on the MRHA web site.
Section 7 – Year-end awards
All NRHA shows in the state of Michigan are subject to MRHA approval.
Any classes offered at more than 50% of the MRHA approved shows may receive year-end awards. Classes offered at or less than 50% of MRHA approved shows may be given year-end awards at the discretion of the awards committee and approval of Officers and Board of Directors.
All owners and riders must be current members of MRHA to qualify for year-end awards. With the exception of Green Reiner classes where only riders need to be members. Year-end monies/points begin to accumulate once membership fee is paid.
Year-end awards are based on monies earned on the horse in the open division. Year-end awards are based on monies earned on the horse and rider combination in the non-pro divisions.
Year-end awards are based on points earned in Youth, Green Reiner I and Green Reiner II
All calculations published for year-end awards and affiliate circuit year-end awards are unofficial until December 1 of the current year at which time they shall be deemed official.
Section 8 – Recognized Award Categories
A. Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Novice Horse Open
B. Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Limited Non Pro, Novice Horse Non Pro, Rookie
C. Youth 13 & Under, Youth 14-18
D. Green Reiner I and Green Reiner II
E. MRHA Affiliate Circuit awards (Open, Int Open, Ltd Open, Novice Horse Open, Novice Horse Non Pro, Non Pro, Int Non Pro, Ltd Non Pro, Rookie, Youth 13 & Under, and Youth 14-18)
Note – any other awards such as Ladies, Gelding, Special Events, Freestyle, Primetime, Special participation or achievement awards will be given at the discretion of the awards committee and approval of the Officers and Board of Directors.
Section 9 – Amendments or additions to Rules and Regulations