So'Pony CSO/Hunter Complet Dressage Attelage Endurance

Rules and Regulations

Qualification of members

ARTICLE 1: Representative members

There are three categories of representative members:  breeders, owners, and riders/drivers.
To be attached to one of these categories, the representative member must be either a breeder, owner, rider, or driver of young horses or ponies having competed in at least one competition governed by the Société Hippique Française's best of breed competition rules during one of the two calendar years preceding membership.
One and only one of the corporate officers of companies or associations that carry on businesses which comply with the conditions required of individuals may also be attached to the breeder or owner category.
A member may be a minor. In this case they are represented by their legal representative.
When a member can belong to more than one category, they must choose the category in which they wish to be included when they become a member.

ARTICLE 2: Co-opted members

Anyone interested in the purpose of the Société Hippique Française may become a co-opted member.
Co-opted members must be presented by two sponsors who are themselves co-opted members and one of whom is a board member. Their application is initially reviewed by the Executive Committee which then submits it for co-optation by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 3: Approved French sport horse and pony breed associations affiliated to the Société Hippique Française

Approved French sport horse and pony breed associations that apply are affiliated.

ARTICLE 4: Regional sport horse breeders associations affiliated to the Société Hippique Française

Regional breeder associations, the applications of which are approved by the Société Hippique Française's Board of Directors, are affiliated.

Election of the Board of Directors

ARTICLE 5: Electoral lists and eligibility conditions

Electoral lists are drawn up under the supervision of the President of the Société Hippique Française, who approves them at least one month before the date set for the election. They must include all the members who have been members for at least six months and have paid their membership fee as of 31 December of the year preceding the election.
These lists may be consulted by all voters at the Société Hippique Française's registered office.

ARTICLE 6: Election of representative members

The nine representative members are exclusively elected by the representative members of the category to which they belong, proportionally without vote splitting, and with distribution of the remainder of the votes using the largest remainder system.
Each list must be complete and include three names of members belonging to the same category: breeder, owner, or rider/driver.
The lists, under the signature of the lead candidate, must be sent to the Société Hippique Française one month before the date set for the election.
Votes are exclusively cast by postal ballot.
The Société Hippique Française sends each voter the ballots corresponding to their status within the association and an envelope marked with a serial number in which the ballot, free of any mark of recognition, will be inserted.
This envelope must be sent in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down by the Board of Directors in a sealed envelope before a date set by the Board of Directors (date as per postmark).
A scrutineer will supervise the opening of sealed envelopes and the counting of votes.
The results are announced by the President of the Société Hippique Française following the vote of co-opted members.

ARTICLE 7: Election of co-opted members

The nine co-opted members appointed to sit on the Société Hippique Française's Board of Directors are elected by majority vote in one round of voting by the co-opted members.
Elections are held during the General Assembly preceding the renewal of the Board of Directors.
A member may not hold more than eight proxies.

ARTICLE 8: Appointment of delegated members representing approved French sport horse and pony breed associations

The representatives of approved French sport horse and pony breed associations are provisionally and initially appointed by their respective associations as follows:

  • French Selle Français national breeders’ association: 4 representatives; 
  • French Anglo-Arabian national breeders’ association: 1 representative;
  • French Arabian national breeders’ association: 2 representatives;
  • French sport pony national breeders’ association: 1 representative;
  • Associations representing other sport breeds: 1 representative;
  • Any change to this breakdown must be approved by the Société Hippique Française's Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 9: Election of delegated members representing regional sport horse breeders’ associations

The representatives of regional sport horse breeders’ associations are provisionally and initially elected by a majority vote of the Presidents of affiliated regional associations in one round.
Any change to this voting method must be approved by the Société Hippique Française's Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 10: Vacancy of elected representatives

In the event of vacancy, the Board of Directors will provisionally replace its members. Members must be replaced with members of the same category in the order of the results of the last elections. In the event that the lists are exhausted, replacement members will be elected by their peers at the next general meeting by a block vote in one round. The powers of the thus elected members end when the term of office of the replaced members would have expired.

ARTICLE 11: Renewal of the Board of Directors

111- Elected members

The date of the election for the renewal of the elected members of the Board of Directors, the date of submission of applications, and the date of constitution and review of the lists of electors will be decided by the Société Hippique Française's Board of Directors. A notice reminding members of the electoral process will be published in an official publication at least two weeks before the election.

112- Appointed members

Approved French sport horse and pony breed associations will submit the names of their new representatives eight days before the renewal of the Board of Directors.

Election of the President and the Executive Committee

ARTICLE  12

The President is elected, by secret ballot and majority vote, by the members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE  13

The President will submit an Executive Committee to the Board of Directors in accordance with the Societé Hippique Française's articles of association. The Board must ratify the proposal by simple majority and by secret ballot for it to enter into effect.

Sanctions and disciplinary procedures

ARTICLE  14

Sanctions and disciplinary procedures are included in the best of breed competition general rules which are published every year by the Société Hippique Française.

Fight against animal doping

ARTICLE  15

The Société Hippique Française contributes to the fight against animal doping by participating in prevention actions and by assisting in investigations and inspections as well as organised searches and seizures, whether these actions are carried out on the instructions of the competent French ministries, the French Anti-Doping Agency, or at its own initiative.
The methods to be employed to fight against animal doping are set out in the best of breed competition general rules.

The Société Hippique Française's management

ARTICLE  16

The Director is at the President's disposal for all matters relating to the management and running of the Société Hippique Française. He is in charge of managing and organising the various trials and events. He implements the disciplinary procedure and monitor it. He organises and monitor the process to elect the Société Hippique Française's members.
He attends Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings in an advisory capacity.
He may be assisted by a Deputy Director.

ARTICLE  17

The President of the Société Hippique Française is authorised to take all measures necessary for the implementation of these Rules and Regulations.