The good, the bad...

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...and the downright amazing. I’m referring to collecting ring stewards, some of most essential volunteers at competitions.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with collecting ring stewards — whether they are good or bad (but preferably not indifferent!)
Have you ever witnessed an organising marvel, who has single-handedly kept a show ring running like clockwork from 6am till midnight? Or have you been kept waiting for hours to compete while the collecting ring descends into late, out-of-order chaos?
Or have you ever been a collecting ring steward yourself, and had to deal with tricky competitors?
Please do drop me a line at victoria_gray@ipcmedia.com
Thanks, as always
Victoria, H&H magazine
 
oh yeah..........
It's most horrible job to do in eventing!!!!! I hate it. I always help at BE when I can, as I only think it's fair to put something back into this sport . But sometimes i've questioned this, as 99.9 % of competitors are fine and sensible and the other 0.1% are damn right rude and need to be banded from the sport or better made to be collecting ring steward for a day!!!!
The way i was always told to run the ring is have a big board with number on and run as in order unless you have multi riders and to slot them in as and when you can. And folk are going to be nervous and a bit up tight.... i don't mind that, but being rude or stroppy don't do....... and let them no rules of the ring straight away. Be jolly and smile and try and put them at easy, if i see really nervous one, say something positive about their horse. But you can tell if folk want to talk or not.... at Intro i think it a must...... as it is a learning curve
It very difficult to get volounteers to help and they need to be trained, but also what would help if BE offered reduce rates for helpers to compete (not a same event), but it would stop at lot of rudeness, as alot competitor would help and then see how much works goes into running events
 
Sandra Sharman who runs the collecting ring for the showjumping events at Kinswood EC and Rodbaston College is an excellent collecting ring steward. Having said that, the lady who ran the collecting ring at College EC on saturday was excellent too - however she did have german army overalls on!

Anyone who puts themselves into a position, in which, they have to organise stressed out competitors, in their spare time, deserves a medal! Those that do it well can make a show and are worth their weight in gold!
 
Go to Norton Heath for BSJA.......i've never seen a collecting ring run so efficiently. Military precision springs to mind
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I would definately like to second Sandra Sharman - she is outstanding and always extremely helpful. She ensures everyone is ready and knows that they are soon in despite the complete chaos that normally reigns in SJ collecting rings!! She does all this and still manages to help her daughter Amy who is normally competing.

Thanks

Emma
 
I witnessed an amusing event at Tweseldown recently....a certain famous eventer was in the collecting ring, anxiously staring at the poor girl who waiting in the start box. The collecting ring steward then shouted at the top of her voice to the starter "Hurry up, hurry up.....(certain famous eventer) is waiting to go...get that one off the start NOW, now do hurry up!!!"

Thought it was quite funny that there must have been about 3 horses on the course quite close together, just so the famous eventer didnt have to wait for too long!!
 
Yeah the best collecting ring steward in the south west is by far Kevin Lukins he always and i mean always has a smile on his face doesn't matter what the weather or how long he's been stood at the collecting ring he is NEVER rude he makes everyone feel special and is a genuine lovely bloke. I have also come across Sandra and she is very good but Kev gets my vote.
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