Volunteering at Events

[asmp]

This sort of thing has happened to me too. It’s such a ridiculously big ask for a volunteer, some of whom have a fair old drive there and back too. The whole thing could be almost a 12 hr day door to door with no break. Not sure what the solution is though.

We volunteer for various BE events and we judge them on how well they feed us. Wellington did very well this year with not only a bacon roll for breakfast and packed lunch but we got a warm sausage roll mid morning and cake in the afternoon. Barbury’s large slabs of homemade cakes before Covid were the best!

 

[cauda equina]

Yes I agree. It's a very good way of learning.

But how I struggle trying to remember how to write the word ' rhythm'.

'Lengthening' is my bugbear

 

[tatty_v]

Yes I agree. It's a very good way of learning.

But how I struggle trying to remember how to write the word ' rhythm'.

We were taught in school to remember it as “Rejoice Heartily Your Teacher Has Measles”

 

[Birker2020]

We were taught in school to remember it as “Rejoice Heartily Your Teacher Has Measles”

Thank you! Its like necessary and definetely. They both defy me.
Weirdly I always remember All Kings Edwards Horses Carry Many Blumbering Fools for the dressage arena. Never Eat Shredded Wheat for the compass. Clunk click for every trip. And 'only a fool two breaks the two second rule' for spacing on motorways!

 

[meggymoo]

I've done loads of volunteering, mainly dressage writing or fence judging at my local RC and you didn't get looked after very well. The event often ran over so half a day ran into a whole day.
The food bags contained not a lot and you were lucky if you got a voucher for money off events/arena hire, if you did you had to work there all day long
No one came and asked you if you were okay and no one thanked you afterwards.

Then I went to Aston Le Walls and have fence judged with my friend, and thoroughly enjoyed it. They really look after you, make you feel very welcome and like you are doing them a great favour (which you are really) and the coffee and bacon butties and sandwiches are amazing. They don't get stroppy with you if you make a mistake and genuinely care about you. I can't wait to go back again. Half a day is nothing when you get looked after so well.

The venue where that riding club was at, I have to say was one of the worst. We eventually stopped doing it, it was so bad, which was a shame as at that point it was the nearest BE venue to us.

Aston Le walls! Did you do pre covid? Margaret’s cake run! Legendary!

 

[meggymoo]

I have done 22 days volunteering this year in a variety of roles. Have been volunteering for over 20 years for both BE & BD as I used to compete. For BE it was a guarantee your entry was accepted but I also enjoyed doing it. When I was in a RC also did lots but got peed off as it was always the same people helping who then always got bitched at when we had the AGM!!

Dressage writing is well worth doing as you learn an awful lot about how not to lose marks by simple ring craft.

I personally feel ALL BE competitors should do at least 1 day per year volunteering at a BE event as if there were no volunteers they would not have a competition to compete at.

Not only should competitors do a days volunteering because it wouldn’t run without them, but it just may give them an insight about us having to make snap decisions and that we are only human.

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone else is volunteering at "Olympia" at The Excel in London next month? It's my first time volunteering there, I'm doing all five days and I can't wait! It would be great to meet up with any other forum members who are also volunteering.

 

[splashgirl45]

I’ve done lots of dressage writing and one I remember very well was at Goodwood where I wrote for Malcolm Brown who I knew so I wasn’t worried about him but the first competitor was Jennie loriston Clarke on Dutch Gold, that was a brilliant day because I saw how the higher grade riders were judged, have also done loads of RC level and enjoy them all. I’ve done XC fence judging a few times and Little Downham BE events look after you pretty well but it’s not at all relaxing as you don’t really get a chance to eat the goodies they bring you unless there is a hold on course, and it’s always a long day ..

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I recommend Blair Horse Trials as a volunteer. I've always been well looked after with complementary camping, parking, food, drinks, t-shirts etc. The first time I had no experience and I did gate crossing for trot up, secretary stuff checking vaccinations in passports, bun run and sj arena party. I've also been a host in the sponsors tent.

I volunteer regularly at my local EC as dressage writer and get vouchers to use the facilities. As I'm on livery there I give the vouchers to friends so they can come visit and we can ride together.

I hated volunteering as SJ steward, some riders were polite but one local trainer was very rude to the extent that the office staff came over and offered to find me another role if it was too much to handle. I stuck it out but I wish they'd spoke to her about her behaviour. As she regularly brings lots of horses and riders (and spends a lot) they didn't.

 

[poacher82]

Yes I agree. It's a very good way of learning.

But how I struggle trying to remember how to write the word ' rhythm'.

Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move

 

[Birker2020]

Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move

Ha thanks for that!

 

[Northern Hare]

I’ve done lots of dressage writing and one I remember very well was at Goodwood where I wrote for Malcolm Brown who I knew so I wasn’t worried about him but the first competitor was Jennie loriston Clarke on Dutch Gold, that was a brilliant day because I saw how the higher grade riders were judged, have also done loads of RC level and enjoy them all. I’ve done XC fence judging a few times and Little Downham BE events look after you pretty well but it’s not at all relaxing as you don’t really get a chance to eat the goodies they bring you unless there is a hold on course, and it’s always a long day ..

OMG, Goodwood was my all time favourite! I sorted through my photos and found this one - I think it might even be Dutch Gold! No idea what year - some time in the 80's!

 

[Birker2020]

OMG, Goodwood was my all time favourite! I sorted through my photos and found this one - I think it might even be Dutch Gold! No idea what year - some time in the 80's!

With Clarendon Competition boots! They were all the rage in the late 80's!

 

[teapot]

Oh how I wish Goodwood would be a comp venue again... sadly too interested in the other horse power these days

 

[Identityincrisis]

OMG, Goodwood was my all time favourite! I sorted through my photos and found this one - I think it might even be Dutch Gold! No idea what year - some time in the 80's!

Wow, look at the saddle!! No giant knee rolls, in fact it’s teeny compared to modern saddles! And can you imagine any dressage horse walking in front of the vertical now?! Even when in a longer frame they’re bent