Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our eventing community! If you're not currently involved, consider stepping up to give back to the sport we all cherish. Your support can make a significant difference, ensuring events run smoothly and successfully. Join us in keeping the passion for eventing alive.
No experience is necessary, as we will provide comprehensive on-the-job training to ensure you feel confident and prepared. Dive into the world of eventing with us and discover your potential!
More information is below on volunteer positions
For more information on volunteer positions, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Terry Adcock. Terry will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.
Call/text 804-314-5696
Email DAdcock186@aol.com
Check out USEA’s great source for Eventing volunteers– videos that go over many positions.
What to expect when Volunteering
Dressage Scribe
The job of the scribe is to be a record keeper for the judge’s score sheet in dressage.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You must make sure the judges have the proper tests for each ride, ensure that the test is marked with the correct competitor’s number, and write down the judge’s comments exactly as given. When you pick up your clipboard, take a moment to look through the tests to be sure they are correct and match the schedule.
Before starting, find out how the judge likes to dictate the comments. Some will give comments first, and then the score…some the other way around.
As competitors enter the ring, make sure the horses bridle number matches the test sheet.
Make sure all the correct blanks are filled in, score and comment- if given- for every movement, and at the end of the ride make sure that the judge has signed the score sheet.
A runner will approach the judges booth between rides. Keep scoresheets organized and be prepared to hand them to the runner so that they can be delivered to the office for scoring.
You will learn a lot from the scores and comments – both about the judge (what they look for, pet peeves, etc) and on how to ride a test. However, this is a job where the old adages “to be seen and not heard” and “speak only when spoken to“ apply. Think before you speak, do not distract the judge with endless chatter and gossip and needless to say, what happens in the booth stays in the booth. Please don’t discuss competitors, their scores or the judge’s comments with other competitors or spectators.
As a scribe, you have a wonderful learning opportunity. Listen to the comments and learn what the judges look for. The tips you have just learned from an experienced judge will help to improve your driving. Scribing is an important job — your record keeping will be responsible for the final scores and placing of the competitors. The comments you write down will help competitors improve their driving too. Try not to get distracted by watching the competitor and forget to record the information! Although this is an important job, you can also have fun and learn a lot!
JOB REQUIREMENTS
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You MUST have prior experience or the ability to learn quickly!
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You must be able to write fast and legibly – at the same time!
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You should be organized and able to multitask – judges do not always give scores and comments in order, so you must keep up with the judge and make sure no movements are skipped. (Although not required, the ability to read minds does help.)
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Some judges have quite a few comments, and you will need write legibly and keep up! Remember, these remarks are for the benefit of the rider and will determine their scores for the day and placings in the competition.
Show Jump Crew
Keep the show jumping rings moving along quickly! Our jump crew will speedily replace rails and other jump materials that are knocked down or out of place. You’ll also help us raise and lower the jumps between levels.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
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No experience required! You need to be fairly quick and able to lift 50 lbs (most of the rails and jump materials are much lighter than that, but you may have to move the occasional standard).
WHAT TO EXPECT
You’ll be out at the show jumping ring with a chair and possibly a booth, but dress for the elements. You’ll get to see all of the jumping action!
Warm-Up Steward
The job of the Warm-up Steward is to ensure that all competitors have a safe area to use for warm-up, and to send competitors to the show ring at the appropriate time.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be stationed at your ring with a show schedule. Greet and keep track of all competitors in your area, and let them know if you are running on time, ahead, or behind.
Keep your eyes open for any potential safety problems-report any out of control horses, questionable equipment, or bad behavior to the Technical Delegate or show management. You are the eyes and ears, but you don’t have to be the enforcer!
You may have to direct traffic! Keep the ring entrance and/or exit clear.
Alert competitors when they are “3 away” and “2 away”. When they are “on deck”, or next in the ring, ask them to go to the competition ring. You will have radio contact with the steward at ringside- listen to the radio to keep track of the schedule, and call your steward with any questions.
If a competitor does not appear in warm-up 15-20 minutes prior to their scheduled time, contact the show office to see if they have scratched. Radio the ring steward and let them know who has scratched, who is on the way and who just didn’t show up.
It is ultimately the competitor’s responsibility to get to the ring on time.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
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No prior experience is needed. Patience and tact are needed; you’ll be dealing mainly with competitors and their horses. Some competitors are old hands and know exactly where to go and what to do and others are brand new. Even the best can experience an attack of nerves. Your calm good humor will help many a competitor to have a successful day!
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Organization and ability to multi‐task are a definite plus!
Fence Judge
The instructions that follow give you the basics of your job; a briefing will be planned for you, conducted by the officials of the event that will help fill in and supplement this document.
YOUR JOB AS A JUMP JUDGE
To maintain a safe area:
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Keep a completely clear approach and landing to your jump for the competition; use your voice or whistle if needed. This includes evaluating the footing at the jump and notifying control ii repair is needed.
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Sit in front of and to the side of the jump to clearly see the horses as they approach be out of the way but don’t hide. An official will check your positioning.
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If a horse is having difficulty al your jump, an oncoming rider has the right of way. Please inform the rider to clear the approach as the oncoming horse and rider have the right of
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Reporting any instances of unauthorized assistance or cruelly.
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Promptly notify control in the case of a fall or accident. (Take your radio with you when you go to the rider).
To judge riders jumping your fence, you will:
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Observe each competitor at the jump, determine if any faults occur and record the appropriate penalties on your scoresheet.
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Know the wording and intent of the rules.
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Know that your jump is defined by a red flag on the right and a white flag on the left side.
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Know the difference in judging an obstacle with a single number. I.e. 17 vs. one of multiple elements or parts, i.e., 17ABC.
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Do not discuss anything about the competition with competitors; if they have questions, politely refer them to one of the officials.
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KEY WORDS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU JUDGE
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DECISIVE. Remember to be decisive- as absolute as possible. As a judge, YOU are the best person to clearly observe all of the details that happen as horse and rider attempt to jump your obstacle. For instance, riders are too busy planning, reacting and steering to fully realize if their horse has taken one or several steps backward or steps sideways. Use the same decision making standard for each rider.
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WRITE or DRAW. When in doubt of how to score, WRITE/DRAW a complete description of what you observed, then IMMEDIATELY request either the Technical Delegate or Ground Jury official to assist you in the interpretation.
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FAIR AND CONSISTENT. Your job is not to agree or disagree with each rule but to enforce the rules as they are written in a fair and consistent manner for every competitor.
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BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE BRIEFING TO GO OUT ON COURSE
Know your jump number and the proper color for the level of competition:
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Tadpole/Pre-Green: white number on red background
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Green: white # on blue background
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Advanced Green: white # on purple background
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Starter: white # on green background
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Beginner Novice: black # on yellow background
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Novice: black # on white background
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Training: white # on black background
Know the location of the nearest radio; if you are a radio communicator, you will be instructed how to use your radio to report on the course; keep chatter brief; specific instructions will be reviewed in the briefing. Do NOT put the radio down in assisting with a situation; immediately report three things – the status of the horse, the rider and the jump! Please notify control & medical for human or horse is required.
Score Runner & Hospitality
The runner transports completed scoresheets to the office and snacks and lunches out to the field.
WHAT TO EXPECT
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Collect the score sheets from each location described by show staff and bring them to the scorekeepers in the main office. Complete assigned route as rapidly and quietly as possible until the last scoresheet is collected.
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Do not interrupt the judge during a test or while the competitor is in the ring. Wait quietly until the judge has a break between competitors to collect the score sheets.
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Assure that score sheets are completely filled out before leaving the location: all scores and times included plus the judge’s signature.
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Guard scoresheets with your life. Lost score sheets are a pretty big disaster!
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Carry drinks and snacks for judges and volunteers as needed (there may or may not be a separate hospitality person, you may be filling in or this may be one of your primary duties)
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Efficiently delivering scoresheets to the score keeper will ensure that scores are posted quickly. Not a small job!
REQUIREMENTS
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No experience is required however a familiarity with the grounds is helpful.
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You’re the smiling face that volunteers and officials see throughout the day. Good humor is a must!