If you hold an event sponsoring, holding or managing a horse show, competition or event, you’re at risk of opening yourself up to a variety of liability exposures. Even if your event is to raise funds for charity, it’s important to get insurance to protect yourself and others in your organization.
When you hold an event with participants and spectators, there is risk of bodily injury and property damage.
What you’ll discover in this report:
- Types of shows or events requiring liability insurance
- Common claims horse shows and events
- How to plan ahead
- Coverage offered by a commercial general liability policy
- Other types of insurance to consider
What Horse Shows or Events Need Insurance?
Some events attract a few dozen people, while others attract thousands. Some are put on by local horse clubs, while others are run by national organizations.
Regardless of the size or scope of your event, below is a short list of events that would require horse show liability insurance:
- 4-H events
- Breed shows
- Dressage
- Hunter/Jumper shows
- Horse trials
- Open schooling shows
- Reining or cow horse shows
- Open houses
Top Claims Involving Horse Shows and Events
At any public event there are always potential risks. When you add large animals to the mix, that risk increases. Some common liability claims include:
- While on the show grounds, a spectator trips and gets hurt
- While watching an event, a flying object hits a spectator and causes an injury, or the stands give way and causes spectators to fall
- While warming up a horse, a non-member participant gets hurt
- A handler loses control of the horse, which is hit by a passing car on a roadway
- People contract food poisoning from food at the event
How To Plan Ahead
We know you care about the horses and the people who come to your horse shows and events. Below are steps you can take to protect yourself against potential accidents.
Enforce show facility rules
Develop rules for your environment for both horses and people. Train staff members so they understand rules and procedures. Document procedures.
Plan for emergencies
Emergencies happen. But the more prepared you are, the better chance you have of providing proper care to your horses. Preparation can minimize the severity of any accident, so have proper emergency first-aid kits available, medics on site and an emergency exit plan.
Develop semi-annual inspections of your property
By inspecting your premises for potential hazards, you can take care of them before an incident occurs.
Prepare a written waiver and review your province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act
Your province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act could state that the stable owner/operator owes a duty of care to the people who enter their premises, which assures that any property they bring on your premises is also reasonably safe.
Anyone who participates in horse activities on your premises needs to complete and sign your province’s waiver, if applicable. Make sure to keep signed forms on file and safely stored. You are free to restrict, modify or exclude this duty of care through your written waiver.
Follow Provincial Safety Regulations
Check your provincial safety regulations regarding helmet use for minors and if helmets need to meet certain criteria, such as ASTM, BSI or European Safety Standards. Footwear is also often regulated (i.e. hard-soled footwear with a heel of no less than 1.5 centimeters).
Purchase an equine liability insurance policy
Protect yourself and your horse show and event with an insurance brokerage that knows horses and your business. You want to make sure that any legal fees are covered, with claim costs and settlements to ensure that, in the case of an accident, your club or association doesn’t suffer a financial loss.
What’s Included in the Commercial General Liability Policy?
A commercial general liability policy gives you maximum limits or amounts of liability insurance for:
- Legal defense costs: You can save your show or event from the financial burden of court costs if you’re sued, whether or not the case has merit.
- Claims or settlement costs: Without this policy, the show or event could be held responsible for bodily injury and property damage claims.
Other Coverages To Consider?
There is some exposure for liability not covered by the horse shows and events policy. We recommend the following additional coverage:
- Equine directors and officers liability: Unfortunately, things don’t always go smoothly, and if a director or officer fails to carry out their duties, claims can and do result. To protect your organization and individual directors and officers in the event of a claim, it is vital that your organization is ready to respond.
Get Horse Show and Event Insurance Today
At Henry Equestrian, Powered by NFP, we understand horses and we want to make sure your horse show or event is protected. Contact us today to learn more or click on below for a free, no-obligation quote.