Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers
are the heart, soul and backbone of a successful horse trial
and every year we rely on over one hundred fifty volunteers to
assist in the smooth operation of the Richland Park Horse Trials. There
are three phases of competition which require volunteers; dressage,
cross-country jumping and show jumping. Other areas requiring
volunteers are parking, stabling, safety, grounds, hospitality,
course decoration and trade fair. Some of these positions
are during the competition and some of them are before and after
the competition. Richland Park is looking for volunteers
for the 2008 competition to be held from Thursday August 21 through
Sunday August 24, 2008. No matter what your interest is,
or what you skill level is, we can match you with a position
and YOU can be a part of one of the most exciting competitions
in the country. Some of the volunteer opportunities are
listed below. Please contact us if you are interested in
any position or have some time before or after the competition
and would like to help set up or take down.
Horse Inspection Steward: You
will assist in setting up the horse inspection area and will ensure
the horse inspection runs on time and according to the rules. It
is helpful if you are comfortable around horses and have good managerial
skills with a firm yet cheerful attitude. You will be walking
and standing and will be working outdoors in all weather.
Dressage Scribe: You will write the Dressage
Judges marks and comments on the tests. It is helpful to
have clear, easy to read handwriting. You will be working
outdoors in a judge’s booth and will be sitting and writing.
Crowd Control: You will be responsible for
a crossing or an area which you will maintain control of crowds
on the course, helping to ensure their safety and that they do
not interfere with the horses in the competition. You will
alert spectators when horses are coming so they can move off the
course and will generally manage crowds to ensure their safety
and that of the competitors. You don’t need any experience
for this and can be trained on site. You will be outdoors
and walking or standing.
Cross Country Fence Judges: Each cross country
obstacle has one or two judges who are responsible for assessing
penalties at the obstacle and who respond promptly in case of an
emergency, and who ensure that the area around the obstacle is
clear when each competitor approaches. You will be walking,
standing and possibly handling horses outdoors in all types of
weather.
Parking: You will be responsible for directing
spectators and competitors to their appropriate parking areas. You
will be working outdoors in all weather and will be standing or
walking.
Sanitation: You will be responsible for
checking all trash receptacles and emptying them when necessary. This
takes place from Wednesday August 20 through Sunday August 24 and
can be done in shifts.
Score Poster: You will be responsible for
ongoing posting of scores during the competition. You will pick
up scores from the secretary and go post them on the scoreboards. This
takes place from Thursday August 21 through Sunday August 24. You
will be walking and standing and will be working outdoors in all
weather.
Arena Stewards: You will be assigned an
arena that you will be responsible for. You will help competitors
find their correct arena and keep them updated as to the show time
schedule letting them know how many horses go in before them. You
will also be responsible for checking your judge and scribe to
be sure they are happy and have everything they need. You
will be walking and standing and working outdoors in all weather.
Collecting Ring Steward: You will oversee
the Collecting ring and be responsible for the flow of competitors
from the warm-up area to the competition arena. You will
communicate with the warm up steward to ensure the coordination
of the progression of riders from the warm up to the collecting
ring. You need to be firm but pleasant with people.
Warm-Up Steward: You will ensure the smooth
progression of competitors from your warm up arena to the collection
ring. You will need to observe that proper schooling practices
are in use and inform them how many rides away they are from their
scheduled time. In case of emergency you will be responsible
for summoning the necessary assistance and notifying the appropriate
people. You will be working outdoors in all weather and will
be standing, walking, bending, and lifting for long hours.
Cross Country Control Assistant: You will
work with the announcer and head controller and will be responsible
for monitoring all activities during the Cross Country phase of
the competition. You will keep track of where each horse
is on course at any given time. You will also be responsible
for receiving radio requests from cross country volunteers and
transmitting those requests to the appropriate people. This
will range from very easy requests to needing medical assistance. This
position is comparable to an air traffic controller. The
ability to stay calm during a crisis and the ability to calm others
will be helpful. You will be outdoors in a control center
sitting and standing.
Cross Country Timers: We use two timing
crews, one at the start and one at the finish line. You will
be responsible for recording either start or finish time for each
competitor. The start timers will be in radio contact with
the warm-up to keep horses moving up to the start to keep the schedule
on time. You will radio Control when a competitor has started
on course and you may be required to hold the start if instructed
by control in case of an emergency. Once you start a horse,
you must record the competitor’s number and actual time of
start. Finish timers will need to be in radio contact with
control so they can report when a horse completes the course and
are responsible for recording the competitor’s number and
actual time of crossing the finish line. You will we working
outdoors in all weather and will be walking and standing.
Stopping Steward: You will be responsible
for stopping competitors on the cross- course at an assigned stopping
location. You will also keep an accurate record of the duration
of their Hold in the event of a hold on course. You will
need to have the ability to yell loudly, jump up and down and move
so you get the attention of the competitor on course you need to
stop. You will be working outdoors in all weather and walking
or standing.
Ring Crew: You will be responsible to set
and reset the jumps for the Show Jumping competition under the
guidance of the Course designer and Show Jump Steward. You
will reset jumps that are knocked down during competition and make
sure that the footing is in good form and repair if necessary. This
is a physical job that requires some heavy lifting and raking. You
will be working outdoors in all weather and standing, walking,
lifting and raking.
Judges Hospitality: You will be responsible
for organizing and distributing goodie baskets and beverage coolers
for the judges and officials during the competition. You will
also be responsible for planning and coordinating their lunch breaks.
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