So'Pony CSO/Hunter Complet Dressage Attelage Endurance

Articles of Association

DECREE OF 25 APRIL 2006

Approving the Société Hippique Française

 

The French Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries,                                                                                       

 

According to the French Rural Code and, in particular Article R. 653-81;

According to the amended French Decree of 31 July 1981, regarding the selection of French saddle horse breeds;

According to the French Decree of 10 January 2001 regarding horse breeding incentives;

According to the French Decree of 6 June 2002 regarding registry on the sport horse list and identity and vaccine controls;

Decrees:

ARTICLE 1

In accordance with the provisions of Article R. 653-81 of the French Rural Code referred to above, the Société Hippique Française, an organisation representing breeders, riders, and owners of young sport horses and ponies, whose the registered office is located in Paris (75002), 21, rue du Sentier, is authorised to be involved in the selection and genetic improvement of sport horse and pony breeds.

ARTICLE  2

Approval is granted to the Société Hippique Française, the parent body for young horse and pony competitions, to carry out the following missions:

  • propose a young sport horse and pony promotion and preservation policy to the French Minister of Agriculture;
  • develop and submit the rules for driving, eventing, dressage, endurance, hunter, and jumping competitions reserved for horses aged six years and under as well as the rules for dressage and jumping competitions for ponies aged six years and under, collectively referred to as ‘breeding competitions’ in the rest of this document serving as a support for the zootechnical selection of horses and ponies, to the French Minister of Agriculture for its approval. Breeding competitions support the training and development of young horses and young ponies while simultaneously protecting them from misuse, and they contribute to their promotion with a view to selling them;
  • Submit the programmes, calendar and organisation of the breeding competitions for which it is responsible to the French Minister of Agriculture for approval;
  • Ensure the proper implementation of rules and sanction non-compliance;
  • Appoint and train the judges of the various breeding competitions;
  • Ensure the smooth running of competitions, in particular by verifying the identity, height and vaccines of the horses and ponies and the absence of doping;
  • Record the results of the breeding competitions and transmit them to the administrative public body Les Haras Nationaux, in particular, for the development of the indexes mentioned in Article 1 of the French Decree of 31 July 1981 referred to above.

The methods of managing irregularities and transmitting results are defined by agreement between the Société Hippique Française, the French Ministry of Agriculture, and Les Haras Nationaux.

ARTICLE  3

In order to carry out these missions, the Société Hippique Française:

  • has all the information it needs to carry out its duties which are available from the public body Les Haras Nationaux, which manages the equine zootechnical database;
  • is a member of the French saddle horse studbook commission, the French studbook commission for foreign saddle horses and the pony studbook commission;
  • is entitled to grants under the terms provided for in the French Decree of 10 January 2001 mentioned above.

ARTICLE  4

Without prejudice to the other provisions provided for in the French Decree of 10 January 2001 referred to above, the maintenance of the Société Hippique Française's approval issued under Article 2 of this Decree is subject to:

  • the French Minister of Agriculture's approval of any amendment to its articles of association;
  • the Société Hippique Française's compliance with the operating rules set forth in its articles of association;
  • the provision of the Société Hippique Française's President's report and financial report to the French Minister of Agriculture every year;
  • the provision of an annual report to the French Minister of Agriculture about the events organised and the verification of the identity, height and absence of doping on young horses and ponies competing in the competitions.
  • the French Minister of Agriculture's approval of the rules mentioned in point 1 of Article 2 of this Decree;
    carrying out the missions entrusted to it.

ARTICLE  5

The French Decree of 30 July 2003 approving the Société Hippique Française is repealed.

ARTICLE  6

The French Director-General for Forestry and Rural Affairs is in charge of implementing this Decree which will be published in the Journal Officiel de la République française (French Legal Gazette).

Paris, 25 April 2006

For the Minister and by delegation:

In the absence of the French Director-General

for Forestry and Rural Affairs:

Civil Service Administrator,

Christophe Sodore


 

DECREE OF 21 June 2010

approving the amendments to the articles of association of a non-profit organisation

 

The French Minister of the Interior, French Overseas Territories and Territorial Authorities,

 

Based on the report of the French Director of Civil Liberties and Legal Affairs,

According to the amended French Law of 1 July 1901, regarding the association agreement and the amended French Decree of 16 August 1901, adopted to enact this law, in particular, Article 13-1;

According to the Decree of 16 October 1866 which officially recognised the Société Hippique Française, whose registered office is located in Paris (75), as a non-profit organisation and the French Decree of 21 August 1998 which most recently approved the amendments to its articles of association, forming these Articles of Association;

According to the deliberation of the association's extraordinary General Assembly on 17 July 2009.

According to the opinion of the French Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries dated 10 February 2010;

According to the new articles of association submitted;

According to the documents establishing the association's financial situation;

According to the other documents of the application;

In accordance with the opinion of the French Council of State (internal affairs division),

Decrees:

ARTICLE 1

The association called ‘Société Hippique Française’ whose registered office is located in Paris (75) which is officially recognised as a non-profit organisation by the French Decree of 16 October 1866, is henceforth governed by the articles of association appended to this Decree.

ARTICLE  2

The French Director of Civil Liberties and Legal Affairs is in charge of implementing this decree which will be published in the Journal officiel de la République française (French Legal Gazette).

 

Paris, 21 June 2010

On behalf of the Head of the

Associations and Foundations Office

and by delegation,

Civil Service Administrator, Policy Officer

Marie-Françoise Le Moing

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE SOCIETE HIPPIQUE FRANCAISE

I - FOUNDATION, PURPOSE, MEANS OF ACTION AND COMPOSITION

ARTICLE 1

The Société Hippique Française, referred to in these articles of association as ‘The Society’ or by the abbreviation ‘SHF’, founded under this name in 1866 and officially recognised as a non-profit organisation by the French Imperial Decree of 16 October of that year, is governed by the French Law of 1 July 1901 regarding association agreements.

The Society, which has an unlimited term, has its registered office in the second arrondissement of Paris. The Board of Directors may decide to transfer the registered office to any other address in Paris. If the registered office is transferred to another department in France, this decision will require an amendment to the articles of association.

Its purpose is to encourage the breeding, training, development, and sale of young horses and ponies, in particular sport horses and ponies, in France, and to promote their use.

As the parent body for horse and pony competitions, its missions involve, in agreement with the French Ministry of Agriculture, proposing a breeding incentive and promotion policy intended to improve offspring from sport horse and pony breeds. As such, it has the following objectives:

a)      to propose a young sport horse and pony promotion and preservation policy, including the incentive distribution policy and its coordination;

b)     to develop the rules for competitions reserved for young horses and ponies collectively referred to as ‘best of breed competitions’ in the rest of this document serving as a support for the zootechnical selection of horses and ponies. Best of breed competitions support the training and development of young horses and ponies while simultaneously protecting them from misuse, and they contribute to their promotion with a view to selling them;

c)      to organise or delegate the organisation of best of breed competitions for horses and ponies and submit the programmes and calendar. It is affiliated to the Fédération Française d'Equitation (French Equestrian Federation) under number 1;

d)     to ensure the proper implementation of rules and sanction non-compliance;

e)     to appoint and train the technicians of the various competitions falling within its scope;

f)     to ensure the smooth running of competitions, in particular by verifying the identity, vaccines, and the absence of horse and pony doping disciplinary sanctions;

g)    to record the results of best of breed competitions and transmit them to the public body Les Haras Nationaux, in particular, for the development of the indexes mentioned in Article 1 of the French Decree of 31 July 1981;

h)     to participate in developing sales and marketing actions.

The SHF has been approved by the French Ministry of Agriculture in accordance with Article R. 653-37 of the French Rural Code as an organisation involved in the selection and genetic improvement of horses and ponies. The policy, rules, and calendar of young horse and pony competitions must be submitted to the French Ministry of Agriculture for approval every year.
 

ARTICLE  2

The following are members of the Société Hippique Française:

  • representative members (riders/drivers, breeders, and owners);
  • co-opted members;
  • approved French sport horse and pony breed associations affiliated to the Société Hippique Française;
  • regional horse breeders’ associations affiliated to the Société Hippique Française;
  • the Chambre Syndicale du Commerce des Chevaux de France (French professional dealers’ association);
  • honorary members.

ARTICLE  3

Breeders, owners, and riders/drivers of young horses and ponies who meet the criteria set out in the Rules and Regulations are approved as representative members at their request.

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

Approved French sport horse and pony breed associations are affiliated to the Société Hippique Française at their request.

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

SHF members pay an annual membership fee, the amount of which is set by the General Assembly.

The Board of Directors may admit as an honorary member any member who makes such a request or any French or foreign leading figure for services rendered to horse or pony breeding.

Honorary members are elected by secret ballot by the Board of Directors and by an absolute majority of its votes. In the event of a tied vote, the President has the casting vote.

Honorary members are not required to pay a membership fee. They may attend general assemblies and have the possibility to vote.

ARTICLE  4

Membership is lost:

1)      by resignation;

2)      by being struck off for non-payment of two consecutive years of membership fees or for serious reasons by the Board, except possible appeal before the General Assembly. The member concerned is required to provide explanations beforehand:

3)      by the loss of representativeness for representative members as defined in the Rules and Regulations.

4)     by the loss of their approval by the French Ministry of Agriculture for the national breed associations mentioned in Article 2;
 

II – MANAGEMENT AND RUNNING

ARTICLE  5 

The Society is managed by a Board of Directors of 36 members consisting of four committees; the members of each committee are elected by secret ballot by the General Assembly, by the members of the category to which they belong in accordance with the procedures set out in the Rules and Regulations.

  • First committee:  nine ‘representative members’ including three breeders, three owners, and three riders/drivers;
  • Second committee: Coopted members
  • Third committee: nine delegated members, representing national breed associations;
  • Fourth committee: nine appointed members
    • eight representatives of French regional breeders’ associations
    • one representative of the French professional dealers’ association.

The following people may attend board meetings in an advisory capacity:

  • a representative of the French Ministry of Agriculture;
  • a representative of the FFE;
  • a representative of the Ecole National d’Equitation (French National Riding School)
  • a representative of Les Haras Nationaux.

Representatives of associations or bodies related to the equine sector may also attend Board of Directors meetings in an advisory capacity at the invitation of the Société Hippique Française's President or Board of Directors.

The term of office of members is four years.

Board of Directors members may be re-elected.

In the event of vacancy, the Board of Directors will provisionally replace its members. The permanent replacement of the member is elected by the next General Assembly under the conditions and in the manner provided for in the Rules and Regulations. Members are replaced by members of the same category. The powers of the thus elected members end when the term of office of the replaced members would have expired.

The Board of Directors meets at least twice a year and whenever convened by its President or at the request of a third of its members.

For the validity of deliberations, two thirds of the members must be present or represented. One member may hold more than one proxy. In the event of a tied vote, the President has the casting vote.

Board members who do not attend three consecutive sessions without apology are considered to have resigned. Such resignation will be effective after the person concerned has been invited to present their observations to the Board of Directors.

Meeting minutes must be drawn up. Minutes are signed by the President and the secretary. They are drawn up without omissions or deletions on numbered sheets and kept at the Registered Office.

 
ARTICLE  6
 

The Board of Directors elects, by secret ballot, from among its members, an Executive Committee composed of twelve members including a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, and a secretary according to the terms specified in the Rules and Regulations.

The twelve members belong to the four committees, each committee being represented by three members.

The President and Vice-President must always be from different committees.

 This is also the case for the treasurer and secretary.

At the end of the General Assembly renewing the Board of Directors, the Board meets to elect the President. The remainder of the Executive Committee is elected either immediately or within fifteen days when convened by the President. Its members are elected for four years. They may be re-elected.

In case of vacancy of an Executive Committee member, the Board of Directors will replace them with a member of the same category for the remainder of their term.

The presence or representation of seven Executive Committee members is necessary for its deliberations to be valid. However, the Executive Committee may not deliberate in the absence of the President or Vice-President. A member may only hold one proxy. In the event of a tied vote in the Bureau's deliberations, the President, or failing that the Vice President, has the casting vote.

ARTICLE  7

Three commissions, respectively in charge of breeding, development, and marketing, are created.

Other commissions in charge of technical studies required for the proper running of the Society and the accomplishment of its duties may be created.

Commissions submit the results of their work to the Board of Directors.

Their list, term, purpose, and composition are decided by the President on the Board of Directors' proposal.

ARTICLE  8

Board of Directors members may not receive any remuneration for their functions.

However, expenses may be reimbursed. This must be expressly decided by the Board of Directors ruling without the presence of those concerned; receipts must be produced and will be verified.

ARTICLE  9

The Society's General Assembly includes all member categories defined in Article 2. Each individual member has one vote. Each corporate member must appoint one or more representatives to the Society's General Assembly. Each representative has one vote and the number of representatives is set in the Rules and Regulations based on the decision of the General Assembly.

It must meet at least once a year and whenever it is convened by the Board of Directors or at the request of at least a quarter of the Society’s members.

It is chaired by the Society’s President who ensures that the agenda drawn up by the Board of Directors is adhered to. The President's report and a financial report must be presented to the General Assembly at least once a year.

It elects the Board.

It approves the accounts for the past financial year, votes the budget for the following year, deliberates on the questions on the agenda, and, if necessary, renews the members of the Board of Directors. Members may be elected by correspondence.

Meeting minutes must be drawn up and signed by the President and the secretary. They are drawn up without omissions or deletions on numbered sheets and kept at the Society's Registered Office.

Each member present may not hold more than eight proxies.

In the event of a tied vote, the President has the casting vote.

The annual report and accounts are made available to all Society members;  and they will be sent to any member on request.

The President may call employees remunerated by the Society to attend General Assemblies and Board of Directors Meetings in an advisory capacity.

ARTICLE  10

The President is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Society.

He convenes and presides over the Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings.

He appoints the Society's employees and sets wages and allowances.

He submits the recruitment of the Society's Managing Director, the duties of whom are specified in the Rules and Regulations, to the French Ministry of Agriculture.

He authorises expenditure.

In their absence, his duties are performed by the Vice-President.

The President or the Vice-President, acting under a special proxy, will represent the Society in legal proceedings and all civil acts.

Society representatives must enjoy all civil rights.

ARTICLE  11

The Board of Directors' deliberations relating to the acquisition, exchange, and disposal of buildings necessary for the Society's purpose, granting mortgages on the said buildings, leases exceeding nine years, and disposal of property included in provisions and loans must be approved by the General Assembly.

The General Assembly’s deliberations on the disposal of movable and immovable property depending on provisions and the granting of mortgages and loans are valid only after administrative approval.

ARTICLE  12

Acceptance of gifts and bequests by deliberation of the Board of Directors takes effect under the conditions provided by Article 910 of the French Civil Code.

ARTICLE  13

By delegation of the General Assembly, the Society is managed by the Board of Directors which may consult any person it deems fit to consider the agenda.

The Board of Directors, after deliberation:

  • draws up, on the Executive Committee's proposal, the Rules and Regulations which are submitted to the General Assembly for approval;
  • decides on the policy to carry out the Société Hippique Française's missions as defined in Article 1;
  • approves, based on the proposal by the Executive Committee, the draft annual competition rules.

ARTICLE  14

The Executive Committee may call upon any person it deems fit, in an advisory capacity, to consider the agenda. It is in charge of implementing the current budget and preparing the budget for the following year. It:

  • draws up the Rules and Regulations;
  • draws up the competition rules;
  • decides on the competition calendar;
  • organises competitions and appoints technicians;
  • ensures that the rules are applied and the smooth running of events;
  • sanctions breaches.

The policy, rules, and calendar of young horse and pony events must be submitted to the French Ministry of Agriculture for approval every year.

 

III - ANNUAL ALLOWANCES AND RESOURCES

ARTICLE  15

Allowances include:

1)  €3048.98 (three thousand and forty-eight euros and ninety-eight cents) constituted in accordance with the requirements of the following Article;

2) buildings required for the Society's purpose as well as woods, forests, and land to afforest;

3) proceeds from donations, unless it has been decided that they will be used immediately;

4) at least one tenth, annually capitalised, of the net income of the Society's property;

5) the portion of surplus resources that is not required to run the Society over the next financial year.

ARTICLE  16

Transferable capital, including provisions, is invested in registered securities, for which the statement of registered references provided for in Article 55 of French Law No. 87-416 of 17 June 1987 on savings is drawn up, or in securities accepted as collateral by the Banque de France.

ARTICLE  17

The Society's annual income includes:

1) income from its property other than the portion provided for in 4) of Article 15;

2) membership fees;

3) proceeds from donations, the immediate use of which was decided;

4) proceeds of remuneration the use of which is authorised during the financial year;

5) rental of various equipment;

6) remuneration from competition entry fees;

7) the registration fee for each horse entered to compete in the events it organises;

8) rental of space at various exhibitions or events;

9) non-recurring resources created and, where appropriate, approved by the competent authority (collections, conferences, raffles, lotteries, concerts, dances, shows, etc. authorised in favour of the association);

10) fines paid in accordance with the SHF's general rules;

11) grants from the French government, local and regional communities, and public institutions;

12) income from sponsorship or patronage;

13) proceeds from fees received for the provision of services by the SHF;

14) income from agreements entered into by the SHF.

ARTICLE  18

Accounts with an annual income statement, a balance sheet, and an appendix must be kept.

The use of all the grants received over the previous financial year must be justified to the Prefect of Paris, the French Minister of the Interior, and the French Minister of Agriculture every year.

 

IV - AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND DISSOLUTION

ARTICLE  19

The General Assembly may amend the articles of association on proposal by the Board of Directors adopted by at least two thirds of the members of the Board of Directors meeting for this purpose and on the proposal of one tenth of the members composing the General Assembly.

In either case, the proposed amendments must be put on the agenda of the next General Assembly which must be sent to all General Assembly members at least 25 days in advance.

The meeting must be composed of at least a quarter of the members. If this proportion is not reached, the meeting is reconvened, but at least fifteen days later, and this time it can validly deliberate regardless of the number of members present or represented.

In all cases, the articles of association may only be amended by a two-thirds majority of the members present or represented.

ARTICLE  20

The General Assembly called to decide on the dissolution of the Society and convened specifically for this purpose, under the conditions set out in the Article above, must include at least half plus one of the Society's members.

If this proportion is not reached, the meeting must be reconvened, but at least fifteen days later, and this time it can validly deliberate regardless of the number of members present or represented.

In all cases, dissolution may only be decided by a two-thirds majority of the votes of the members present or represented.

ARTICLE  21

In the event of dissolution, the General Assembly will appoint one or more commissioners in charge of liquidating the Society's property. It allocates the net assets to one or more similar public or non-profit establishments or to establishments referred to in Article 6 (5) of the French Law of 1 July 1901, as amended.

ARTICLE  22 

The deliberations provided for in Articles 19, 20, and 21 will be immediately sent to the French Minister of the Interior and the French Minister of Agriculture. They are only valid after government approval.

 

V - MONITORING AND RULES AND REGULATIONS

ARTICLE  23

The Society's President must inform the prefectural authority of all changes in the Society's administration or management within three months.

On request, the Society's records and accounting documents will be sent to the French Minister of the Interior or the Department's Prefect or their deputies, or any civil servant authorised by them.

The annual report and accounts must be sent to the Prefect, the French Minister of the Interior, and the French Minister of Agriculture every year.

ARTICLE  24

The French Minister of the Interior and the French Minister of Agriculture are entitled to have the establishments founded by the Société Hippique Française inspected by their deputies and receive a report on their operation drawn up by them.

ARTICLE  25

The Rules and Regulations drafted by the Board of Directors are subject to approval by the French Ministry of Agriculture before being adopted by the General Assembly. They must then be sent to the Paris Prefecture. They may only enter into effect or be amended following the French Minister of the Interior's approval.

ARTICLE  26

No political or religious discussion is permitted during meetings.