Our History:

In 1982, Joan Gay, Jackie Sentineal, Nicky Aitkens, and Ellen Campbell formed the Upper Canada Trail Riders Club which in 1990 became incorporated as UPPER CANADA EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION. We owe a great debt to their initiative and foresight that formed the Upper Canada Heritage Trail and for the well managed organization we have today.

Our Mandate:

1) To establish safe horseback-riding trails throughout the Niagara Peninsula.
2) To develop, expand, improve and preserve existing public trails.
3) To promote the proper and responsible use of public trails.
4) To give trail riders a safe place to ride in harmony with other users.
5) To call the attention of local, regional and provincial governments to the need for the preservation, improvement and expansion of public trails.
6) To do all such acts that are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects with the philosophy that public recreational trails should be multi-purpose with equestrian privileges. With the pressure of population expansion, there is an increasing need for inexpensive recreational outlets in the peninsula, therefore, it is important to preserve public lands which can provide trails for future generations while the land is still publicly owned.

UCEA's Constitution

1. The name of our organization shall be the UPPER CANADA EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION INC.

2. Officers shall consist of seven directors from whom a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, parade director, rides director and director at large shall be elected.

3. The executive term of office shall be for two years commencing Jan 1st. Elections shall take place at the general meeting on the 2nd Wednesday in December.

i) Nominations for executive positions will be accepted at the October, November, and December meetings prior to the actual vote. The secretary will accept these nominations, in writing or in person.

ii) The president must have previously been a director or a member of the executive of said club for a minimum of one year.

iii) The past year’s president is automatically guaranteed a director’s seat if they should choose to accept.

iv) The voting committee at the December meeting will accept signed and sealed votes for those who are unable to attend.

4. Only members in good standing will be allowed to vote and a person must be a member in good standing for one year to run for office. A family membership will allow two members of the same family over the age of sixteen to vote.

5. Annual dues of $15.00 single and $20.00 for a family are due as of January 1st. Only one reminder will be sent after the January meeting in the January newsletter. Anyone not paid up will be considered not in good standing until caught up.

6. All accounts must be paid by cheque and must have two executive signatures with the exception of petty cash when accompanied by a receipt. The Ontario governments “Guide to Bookkeeping for Non Profit Organizations” AGDEX#: 057, ORDER #: 88-0l0 be the guiding principle for the UCEA’s bookkeeping.

7. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month unless changed by special vote and notice made to all members 20 days prior to the change.

8. Seven members, of whom 3 must be directors, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business.

9. All activities of this Association will be brought before the general membership for discussion and approval.

10. In the event the association decides to hold a Horse Show it is noted that:

i) all show rules come from the CEF

ii) no member of the Association will be allowed to judge.

11. Anyone wishing to ride in Parades must be a member in good standing and be approved by the parade committee.

12. Committees will prepare a ride schedule, organize parade units, parade dates and associated activities.

13. In the event the Association dissolves, a special meeting will be called. All members in good standing will be advised in writing thirty days prior to the meeting.

14. The board of directors will have a minimum of two meetings a year.

15. These bylaws may be revised at any meeting provided that written notice is sent to every member in good standing twenty days prior to the meeting.

16. All meetings will be governed by “Roberts Rules for Parliamentary Procedure.”