Advice for a Collecting Ring Steward

[NoCollection]

I am helping out at an ODE soon and the organiser has asked me to be a SJ collecting ring steward. I haven't done this job before. What do you think makes a good collecting ring steward? What should I avoid doing?

I'm quite happy to be tough on people who are trying their luck, but what about disorganised first-timers? Do I give them an easier time or should I be absolutely consistent with everybody?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[Sunny_Star]

I did dressage stewarding recently at a ODE.

I'd advise to not be too tough, I was lenient with the people who were late because they obviously needed their warm up time so even ignored the dressage jusdge when she said they were coming in too slowly!

With sj the times are more relaxed, i.e. usually order doesn't really matter.
So if someone's ready to go in before their time then just let them go, if the arena is free.

 

[kerilli]

i always prefer the sj steward to have a big blackboard with all the numbers on, and cross them out as one goes into the ring, this means i can check at a glance how many to go before me, without having to ask, as usually they've got enough to worry about, without answering everyone's "how many to go before me?" questions every 20 seconds...!
if someone looks hassled and not ready, and there's someone hanging about near you obviously ready to go, i'd slot them in tbh.
i always like being reminded that i'm next as the one before goes into the arena.
that's about it really.
am only answering from a competitor's viewpoint obv, have never done this job... or not for years... dim and distant memory just surfaced of lots of shouting!

hope everyone's charming and appreciative... just remember that for most eventers (me included) the sj collecting ring is the hassleiest part of the day!

 

[WFL]

Be firm but fair. If anyone gives you any lip or tries to push you around, disqualify them and report them to the BE staff.

 

[carthorse]

You poor thing , NEVER let those who come up with some reason they should be allowed to jump early, push in .I HATE THAT. You have your times ,you check if they are running to time and you warm up and then you find they have sneaked in a few more riders that have more than one to jump. Your horse then goes cold waiting.
SJ steward is the WORST job at a ODE.
Thank you though as I am grateful to everyone that helps out at shows

 

[hotellie]

be organised and quite firm.
also be understanding and it is a good idea to have a blackboard to wirte numbers down so hat you remeber who is going next etc...but i feel very sorry for you...it is the worst job in the world!

 

[NoCollection]

Thanks for your advice. **looks for the blackboard, chalk, throat pastilles and hotline to the BE staff**

I usually enjoy helping out at shows - had a lovely time recently at a local showing show - the judge explained his thought process in each class and I learned loads.

 

[Saf]

Have done the SJ ring a number of times at Tweseldown, and have to say I am shocked at how rude some peeps are

Blackboard is a must esp if its wet as paper just goes mushy

Make sure you take a large dose of humour

 

[carthorse]

I usually enjoy helping out at shows - had a lovely time recently at a local showing show - the judge explained his thought process in each class and I learned loads.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is nothing like that , it is ruthless.Good luck but I thank you again.lol

 

[Maesfen]

Echo Kerilli but must add do have a sense of humour else it will be a very long day! If you can be pleasant and helpful even if strict, then riders will be much more helpful towards you as well.

I do the XC collecting ring at our local trials and love it! We do have an official running list but don't tend to keep to it very strictly because we are the last of the three disciplines and we sometimes have riders with multiple rides (think 6 has been the record!) so we always try to slot them in whenever they are ready otherwise we wouldn't be finished before midnight! 9 to 6 two days running is quite long enough thanks! I have a large board I write numbers as they come in, so as K says, riders can actually see how many before them unless we slip a multiple in which the majority don't object to. It helps to cross off the numbers too. We also always shout two riders in advance so they know where they stand but many a time you've shouted, they say they're ready then they buzz off to jump the practise fence again and you end up waiting!

Also do remember to check if you have to do the tack check as well and know what you should be looking for. The first time we had a junior section they forgot to tell me I had to check tack and back protectors as well as medical cards so it was the blind leading the blind although all the children were very helpful explaining what was and wasn't allowed! We muddled through without any dramas and nobody was sent back from the startbox so we must have been alright!

Hope you have a good day; remember to wear comfortable clothes and boots for all weathers else it will be a very long one!