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2024 TERMS & CONDITIONS

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

By hiring Chamberlin Pony Rides and/or any of its affiliates, the client (and/or any person or organization reserving any form of entertainment) acknowledges that he/she has had the opportunity to read and understands, agrees with and accepts all these terms and conditions stated in the link below.

Terms and Conditions: https://chamberlinponyrides.com/terms-and-conditions

 

PETTING ZOO (IF APPLICABLE) 

Our Mini Petting Zoo features 6-8 animals but does not include animal food, and Chamberlin staff members do not attend. If you'd like an attendant, consider upgrading to a Small Petting Farm. You can provide a responsible adult attendant for the mini petting zoo, and they may assist the children. However, please note that if the attendant leaves the area, we will close it for safety reasons, allowing only animal viewing.  You may also purchase a petting zoo attendant for $50 each hour.

The Complete Petting Zoo comprises approximately 10-15 animals and includes animal food. Please be aware that we may need to limit the amount of food available for the safety of the animals, and animal availability is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. At large events, we reserve the right to limit the number of children in the petting zoo or not open it if the party size poses a safety risk to our animals. The Complete Petting Zoo typically includes Alpaca or Llama, cow or donkey or miniature horse, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and bunnies, unless special requests have been documented on your invoice. 

PETTING ZOO AND OR PONY RIDES SET UP AREA

We kindly request a flat space within 100 feet of our trailer parking area for setting up the petting zoo and or pony rides.  Please ensure no hills, steep inclines, or declines from the trailer to the petting zoo. We reserve the right to decline service if the set-up area is unsuitable for the safety and comfort of our animals and staff. Please consult your event manager to confirm the set-up area before our arrival. Safety is our priority; we reserve the right to refuse set-up in unsafe areas. Approval is needed for stairs due to animal accessibility constraints. No refunds or considerations will be given for unapproved set-up areas. 

 

PETTING ZOO (EXTREME HEAT):

During hot summer months (over 90 degrees), we take extra precautions to ensure the safety of our animals. We'll need a hose with running water within 10 feet of the petting zoo area. Please note that rabbits may be excluded from the petting zoo due to their susceptibility to heat. In such cases, we'll substitute them with additional heat-resilient small animals like chickens and ducks. On very hot days, we require a grassy area to set up horses and petting zoo animals to shield them from the extreme heat of cement or paved areas. If a grassy area cannot be provided, we'll modify your package to suit your situation.

PETTING ZOO RULES: 

Please follow these rules:

 

- Use the hand sanitizer provided when exiting the petting zoo enclosure.

- Wait for a petting zoo attendant to open the gate when entering or exiting.

- No food, drinks, or balloons are allowed in the petting zoo.

- Children 4 and under must be accompanied by a parent or adult.

- No picking up, hitting, kicking, pulling, chasing, or harassing the animals.

- We reserve the right to ask visitors to leave the petting zoo.

- Do not play with the animals' water or food, including putting anything in them.

RIDES (IF APPLICABLE) ESTIMATED RIDES PER HOUR: 

The number of rides we can provide varies, as parents often request time for pictures after their child's ride. The total rides offered per hour depends on the duration of each parent's photo session. I

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Our services are not priced per child. However, we cannot be held responsible if you underestimate the total number of children at your event. We can accommodate approximately 20 children per hour for each pony or horse. If you require an additional pony or horse to accommodate more children, we may be able to add one (if available) at the current rate, but this decision must be made in advance. Consider extending the time or adding pony or horse if needed. Please understand that we may not be able to extend our stay beyond the scheduled time on the day of your party, as we often have subsequent bookings. 

 

RIDE WEIGHT LIMIT:

Our ponies can accommodate up to 120 pounds- full-size horses up to 175. We do not accept riders over 175 pounds.   Full-size horses are for adults and children over 5 years old only.  Children under 5 are not allowed to ride a full-size horse. 

Warning : Under the Michigan Equine Activity Liability Act, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from the inherent risk of the equine activity. 

 

Note: If requested, our ponies and horses come decorated with ribbons. Please contact the event manager to request specific decorations.  

PONY OR HORSE COLOR SPECIAL REQUEST

We welcome special requests for pony or horse colors, please understand that as we work with live animals, adjustments may be necessary. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee a specific color request for a pony or horse. 

FACE PAINT (TEMPORARY TATTOOS) AND OR TWISTY BALLOONS :

We provide stencils, or twisty balloons (simple one-balloon design, dog, hat, sword). If available, you may choose to upgrade to face paint for $100 additional cost. One person can accommodate a total of 15 faces and balloons an hour. If you anticipate more than 15 children, we suggest you purchase an additional 30 minutes to accommodate all children. Please call reservations before the day of your event and discuss this option if you feel it's necessary.  

WEATHER POLICY: 

Your party will not be canceled due to rain, as we provide tents for inclement weather (unless high winds prevent safe use). However, we reserve the right to cancel if we deem it unsafe to host the party, such as in the case of tornadoes, thunderstorms, extremely high winds, or unsafe driving conditions with our trailer due to weather. If you choose to cancel, you may transfer your deposit to another available day.  However, rescheduled blackout dates will apply.
 

TENTS: Please be aware that our tents are designed to cover animals. During winter months when the temperature is below 40 degrees, we bring heated tents. We have 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 canopy tents for petting zoo animals, but high winds may prevent their safe use. If you need a tent for your guests or to walk the pony under insurance against rain, contact our reservations department for assistance in reserving a tent.

WE GUARANTEE YOU WILL HAVE ENTERTAINMENT IF YOU REQUIRE IT: 

Our guarantee to you is “we will not leave you without entertainment” In the event of inclement weather, you may choose to convert your package to our Zootopia package, as it may be easily performed inside your home, garage, or basement. This package includes 1 mini petting zoo (6-8 small animals)– bubble machine (we do not recommend the bubble machine set up indoors) – music – lawn games. Your price will be adjusted accordingly. * Please note the exception to this is if we have an emergency and are not physically able to attend your event due to circumstances beyond our control. In this case, we will refund your deposit paid in full.  

CLIENT INITIATED CANCELLATION POLICY: 

In the event of inclement weather, we ask that you contact your event manager (phone number is printed on your invoice email) if you wish to cancel on the day of the event, Please DO NOT leave a message on the reservation answering machine to cancel an event on the same day as your event. Please note, that we require a minimum of 4 hours' notice for a cancellation. If you cancel with less than a 4-hour notice, you will forfeit your deposit (up to $100) to cover our incurred travel expenses. If you need to cancel prior to the day of your event, please go to  http://www.chamberlinponyrides.comand follow the link online to complete a reservation cancellation request form. Or you may call our reservations office between 9 am and 9 pm at 734-780 5800.

 

 We do not refund deposit payments, we will issue credit for future event deposits. Our reservations office will issue you a credit coupon, allowing a 100% transfer of your deposit made to any party type on the same or future date with no expiration! Your deposit is fully transferable to any event type. Note: During the busy seasonal months of June through October, we are often sold out weeks in advance. We will make every attempt to reschedule your event. However, we do not guarantee we will have availability on the day you wish to reschedule your event. Please note, NO monetary adjustments will be authorized once we have left the farm and are en route to your event or, are on the job and begin your party.  

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL Saturdays are blackout dates for rescheduling, you may reschedule your party any day from Sunday through Friday. If you need to reserve a Saturday, you would need to make a new reservation and your deposit will not be applied. There is a $40 rebooking fee for all client-initiated-canceled events.

CHAMBERLIN CANCELLATION: 

In the severely unlikely event that your scheduled event manager cancels due to illness, emergency, or otherwise uncontrollable situation, you will receive a full refund of your paid deposit. There are no refunds or discounts once services are rendered.  

CHANGES TO YOUR PARTY: 

Alterations to your party can be made up to 7 days prior to your event, with full credit given for any changes made. Any modifications made within 7 days of the event may not be eligible for credit if an activity is removed. If it is possible to adjust your package, a $100 change fee will be incurred, and no credit will be issued for any previously paid reservation fees.
 

FREE "EXTRAS" GUARANTEE:

We guarantee we will include the following free extras to make your party a memorable event: If we neglect to include any of the following free inclusions, we agree to refund $25. We may need to restrict the free inclusions if the children attending the party are damaging the equipment or causing harm to themselves or others including our animals. The equipment requires a minimum space to set up, if the client has not provided sufficient room to set up the equipment there will be no refund given. ** Please note: There will not be a credit issued if you choose not to have the "free" items included in the package.  

  • Lawn games - We will bring 1 assorted lawn games. Please note exact games may vary and games are not attended by Chamberlin staff. Bean bag or ball toss, child horseshoe game, "Rope a Steer" - (Straw Bale, Steer head, ropes) for cowboy theme. 

  • Bubble machine - Will stay on for a minimum of ¾ of the total party time - unless it is necessary to shut it down to prevent damage to the machine or children due to unattended children. 

  • Ribbons or decorations on the pony or horse - (as requested and specifically described in your invoice) 

  • Food for the animals - Please note if you have more than 20 children in the party, we will need to restrict the amount of food we provide for the animals. This is for the animal’s safety. Please note, we do not provide food for our mini petting zoo including ducks, chickens and bunnies. 

  • Tent - We include a 10 x 10 tent for the mini zoo and a 10 x 20 (or two 10 x 10) tents for the complete petting zoo. Please note, we do not set up the tent unless it’s necessary in inclement weather, or if the client specifically requests it and it is noted on your invoice that you request it regardless of the weather. Please note we set up heated tents IF the temperature is below 40 degrees. 

  • Tarp - We include a tarp for inside events set up if noted on your invoice. Or if the client requests a tarp is put down to prevent soiling the concrete or lawn. 

  • Music - Please note the music we use is not intended to be heard throughout the entire party area. It is set up near the petting zoo or face paint and balloon area as background music and we use a small iPod or similar. 

 

INSURANCE FOR YOUR EVENT:

Your event is automatically covered in our event manager's insurance policy. If your event is taking place in a nonresidential location such as a park, city property, municipality, or school and the venue requires "proof of insurance", we will provide a Certificate of Insurance at no extra charge. However, if you require to be listed as an additional insured on the policy, this will incur additional insurance coverage expenses which will be the client’s responsibility and will be added to the total invoice." 

SAFETY: 

Our clients are required to ensure a safe event environment for our staff and animals. If any threats are perceived, we reserve the right to end the event and leave promptly. In such cases, full payment will be required, and no refunds or credits will be provided for future events.


FINAL PAYMENT:

Company policy requires our event managers to collect your balance in full (cash payment) BEFORE they offload the animals. Please have cash payment ready upon arrival.  

 

CASH ONLY:

If you must pay with credit or debit you must contact the event manager at least 3 business days prior to your event and a service fee of 5% will be applied. No checks will be accepted unless prior agreement has been made with your event manager.  

 

RETURNED CHECK POLICY: 

Chamberlin Pony Rides will accept a check payment on the day of the show from companies, schools, and church organizations as long as the payment is written on a company or organization's checking account. Any returned check is subject to a $25.00 collection fee plus a $10.00 insufficient funds fee when returned check happens initially. If Chamberlin Pony Rides has a credit card on file, Chamberlin Pony Rides is authorized to run the returned check amount plus the fee on that credit card. If payment is not resolved immediately, there will be a $10 fee added per week from the original event date. Any amount not paid in full within 30 days is subject to additional interest, penalties, collection fees, and/or additional court fees. By writing a check the day of the show, the check writer agrees to these terms.  

LATE ARRIVAL DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES: 

Please note, that we make every effort to accommodate your party time. If your party is delayed due to circumstances beyond our control, you will be given the choice of rescheduling your event, or you may cancel your event and use your $50 deposit toward another party or event. No discount allowance will be given for late arrival due to circumstances beyond our control.  

PARKING FEES:

Any parking fees incurred by the entertainer(s) must be fully validated and/or reimbursed by the client. This amount can be added to the initial booking or paid directly to the event manager the day of. If the scheduled event manager has access to “free parking” but this requires a long walking distance to get to the venue, the event manager may opt to park in a closer area that requires payment. In this case, the client is still responsible for reimbursing any parking fees incurred. If the client is unable to save a close parking spot and the event manager must park far away from the venue this may result in a late start time and the event manager may not be able to make up the time after if he/she is scheduled on another event immediately after. In this case, the client is still responsible for the entire amount due even if the event manager was unable to stay the allotted time  

PERMITS & LICENSES: 

Client shall assume all costs for any and all permits and or licenses required by local ordinance. There is no refund if a client fails to check ordinances or obtain proper paperwork and services are unable to be rendered.  

 

FUEL SURCHARGE:

Due to the recent rise in the price of fuel, this agreement is based on the price of fuel as of the date of submission of the invoice. Fuel is defined as both gasoline and diesel fuel. In the event that prices of either product increase more than 5%, then Chamberlin Pony Rides is entitled to charge the additional fuel cost based on the tender price.  

RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: 

Our staff and their safety are of utmost importance to us. If your event manager feels at any given time that their safety or the safety of their staff, animals, or equipment has been comprised or if they have entered into a volatile situation, are abused physically, emotionally, and/or sexually harassed in any way, we have the right to refuse service and have instructed our staff to exit the premises immediately in such a case. You will not be refunded any deposits you have made in the event that this occurs, and you may be charged for the time the performer has already performed.  

STAIRS: 

Multiple stairs can be an issue. Please let us know if you have any stairs and we can consult on the best option. For lots of stairs, if we deem it possible, then there will be a surcharge as setup will be much more time-consuming. Technically the charge is for the extra time that we use to set up and pack up to allow us to remain on schedule. Ponies cannot walk down a staircase as well as some of our petting zoo animals  

 

SET UP TIME:

 We allow 30 minutes to set up our Complete Petting Zoo package. Any additional setup time beyond 30 minutes will be deducted from the allotted time to keep your entertainer(s) running on time for later shows. In the case of an extremely difficult setup, the entertainer might have to end early as well to allow for packing up time to remain on schedule for events booked after yours. A typical setup is about 4-5 school bus lengths with minimal stairs or obstacles (street to the backyard of a house, school parking lot down to a classroom). If you think your setup might not be typical, just ask! It’s much better to be prepared and arrive extra early than have trouble and run late during your event.  

SOCIAL MEDIA:

We reserve the right to use photos and videos of you and all guests from your event for our business marketing, website, social media, and any and all other uses to promote our business. If you or a guest do not wish to have your photos or video used please inform us in writing of the name and be sure we are clear who the guest is so we can make all reasonable efforts to ensure they are not used.  

MICHIGAN STATE AGRITOURISM LAW

Please review the terms outlined in the Chamberlin invoice before proceeding. By engaging Chamberlin's services, you are acknowledging and agreeing to adhere to the regulations stated in the Michigan State Agritourism law. According to this law, agritourism activity providers are not liable for any injuries or fatalities sustained by participants during the activity. If you are not comfortable with these terms, please refrain from participating in the activity.


WARNING Under the Michigan equine activity liability act, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of the equine activity.

LAW HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT   

“Chamberlin Pony Rides and Mobile Petting Zoo LLC ” and/or the OWNERS, as well as any of its affiliates, including any employees and/or event managers, independent subcontractors, subcontracted companies or any other persons from and against any and all liability and/or any losses, costs, damages, expenses, including attorney’s fees, on account of any and all lawsuits, claims, including claims of any trademark or copyright infringement(s) or claims for personal injury, illness or death.  

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need to make any changes to your reservation.  

Thank you!  

Chamberlin Pony Rides LLC  

Reservations: 734-780-5800  

www.chamberlinponyrides.com 

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