Volunteering with no experience?

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PeachesD113

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So, I'm a relatively novice horse owner, have never ever competed (not even kids pony club). But, I know local venues are always looking for volunteers and wondering if they would consider me? I figured it would be a good way to introduce myself to shows without the stress of competing and maybe make some horsie pals (however am horribly socially awkward so that's unlikely). Would they consider someone who knows nothing (really nothing) but is willing and relatively competent at picking stuff up?
 
Some places will and some won't. You'll just have to ask and see if they are willing to take you on. With volunteering there's a few things to keep in mind;

1) Talk before and establish what you want from them and they want from you. This is essential so that both parties get what they want and understand what is wanted of them. It also lets you get an idea of the expected duties and gives them a chance to chat to you about what you can do and want to do.

2) Make sure you get clear guidance when given tasks.

3) Ask questions. Be keen without being a bother and show interest in what you're doing. This is part of your "payment" for working for free as here you're getting guidance and training on what's going on and why. It's important to ask because not everyone you work with will think to tell you or they might only give a short overview without details.

4) Don't do anything you're not confident/feel safe doing - especially alone. Yes you'll do new things that will challenge you, but only with the proper instruction and support. You want to avoid doing anything that you don't feel safe doing. It's easy to get pressured into things, but you've got to stick to your guns on this one. Better safe than sorry.

5) Attitude; whilst you're not being paid treat it like a job. Be punctual; don't be staring at your phone; follow safety guidelines and wear appropriate protective clothing (eg steel toecaps); etc...


As a volunteer your attitude and desire to work are important. When you start chances are you're going to get the mundane and dull jobs as you start to learn the ropes and as you and they get used to you and what you can/can't do. Be prepared for the mundane, but always see to learn more to advance yourself. Putting yourself forward for tasks is great, esp if the job isn't all that interesting/nice. Though at the same time don't get caught out in always going for the easy/lowskill jobs - you've got to do some better ones now and then to learn and develop.

Depending on the setup you might have to push a little more to get more out of it or they might be used to the less experienced and more active in helping you along.


IF possible speak to any others who volunteer and get an idea of what its like. You might find its great or you might find that its got no real opportunities for you and thus you can dodge the bullet and move on.
 
Do it!
Horsey volunteering has changed my life on a couple of occasions and I can't speak highly enough of it. Any group who needs volunteers will be crying out for you and, as long as you come with the right attitude, whatever skills you have will be an asset to their team. If you have basic horse awareness and want to "get your hands dirty" (i.e. not sitting on your phone as Overread says) you will be fine. If a venue are not interested in you it is their loss not yours. Local riding clubs are great and always crying out for help - they need people on competition days but also for set up and packing away so there might be lots of ways to meet people and really get to understand the ins and outs of competing.
Go into it with an open mind and you will learn loads. Through volunteering I got to spend 2 weeks at London 2012 backstage in the stables, learnt so much, made so many friends and saw things I couldn't have dreamed of. Before I went my colleagues couldn't understand why I would use 2 weeks of my annual leave to get up at 4am everyday and poo-pick and sweep up; when I got back everyone wished they'd had a chance to see what I'd seen and they weren't even horsey!
Through volunteering I have made incredible friends, developed loads of skills that have helped me in my job, increased my confidence, had amazing opportunities I would never have had otherwise and had so much fun doing it.
 
Do it!

I think you ill be snapped up by many organisations, if the first one is not receptive ask again until one is.

What area are you in? Locally Frickley Horse trials is begging for volunteers, no experience necessary, free rest area and refreshments (including home made cake!). There are a whole range of jobs on offer. Our local agricultural show is also always looking for volunteers. My non horsey mum ended up taking the BS entries 2 years running, nice gazebo, refreshments and a good view of the ring. I also know an endurance group who are very friendly and always looking for marshals. They would help you with information, drinks etc. Our local show centre would have paid expenses for someone to help out too.
 
Definitely give it a go!

I was fence judging last weekend and at the end of August, I'll be at Blair doing a variety of roles. I'm really enjoying being out and about and getting to know people and places, especially because I'm new to the area.

You mention meeting new people and making new friends but that you feel socially awkward. I know how you feel and I wanted to say, there's no pressure, especially at one off things. What I mean is, I find social situations tough too but doing things like volunteering is a great way to build your confidence in talking to new people because you have to communicate and a massive plus is that you already have something in common with them. I was fence judging with a lovely lady and her daughter at the weekend but, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, there was no pressure to be friends at the end of the day. Hopefully I'll see them out and about though :)

Obviously, there's a draw to volunteering at horsey events and in horsey places but you could also consider volunteering at big events, like London 2012 mentioned above. I've applied to volunteer at the European Championships in Glasgow next year. My OH volunteered at the Commonwealths and had a ball. It was a couple of weeks and it was really well organised and I think big events a really good way to get into the mindset of volunteering and therefore, encourage you to contribute to smaller events in your local area.
 
Definitely do it, you actually learn quite a lot from volunteering that you can then apply to your own riding.

Where abouts are you? I'm sure people on here could point you in the right direction of who to approach
 
Thanks all for the positive responses! I'm based in Northamptonshire and I know there are a few local events. I think I'll make some enquiries this weekend :)
 
Most will bite your hand off!
Also don't be too worried about your lack of experience with regards to joining a riding club. Ask for recommendations but some are really low key, would love the help (non horsey husbands regularly carted in) and have an active social side :).
 
Totally agree, go ahead and volunteer, most events can never get enough volunteers and without help like this we would not have any shows !
Riding Clubs ( speaking as the social secretary for our local one ) are always needing willing helpers ( horsey or not, all are welcomed and appreciated :-)
Also what about contacting British Eventing - they have a volunteers database you can register on and say what type of jobs you would like to do or learn. everyone is very friendly when i have gone to help out
 
Definitely do it, like the others our local Riding Club is always short on helpers. I enjoy helping, usually when pony is on a sick note, and it's a good way to make contact with others and learn how shows run from the other side.
 
if its to help improve your social life then riding club would be a good fit for you. You would get to meet the same people out and about all the time. I moved to a new area and I would been lost without the riding club, it was my only outlet to meet people at the time.

Also the shows a bit less pressured than affiliated ones, so have a more relaxed atmosphere.
 
Definitely!

Our local RC's are always struggling and I'm sure would bite your hand off, experience or not!
 
I didn't have any hard and fast plans. I was mainly thinking about at events as I see them asking for volunteers but wasn't sure they'd want me as I have no competition experience. I like the idea of the local RC as this is something I've thought about joining myself but don't have any transport and every other horse on my yard is semi retired. It looks like Cherwell valley will be my closest, does anyone have any experience of them? Thanks everyone for the push :)
 
Trust me, you would be massively appreciated!

It's nothing complicated, and there are always people that you can ask for help if you're not sure. Plus the briefings are pretty comprehensive, and extra time is taken with the people that are new to it :)
 
They will give you training or a buddy if you need it :)

Are you on FB? That might be the best place to ask about riding clubs, if not just fire off a few emails to them and ask what they do throughout the year. All the ones I have been involved in (4) have run lots of social stuff, trips to yard, quizzes etc on top of shows etc and you never know who you might meet.
 
Speak to your local pony club, when my children were in PC they were desperate for helpers at shows as most PC parents were helping/transporting the children/ponies on the day. Also riding clubs have non riding membership so you could get involved that way x
 
I'd contact British Riding Clubs, they often need volunteers at their events and they really look after them.
 
Definitely give it a go, lots of small riding clubs and shows are struggling to keep going due to lack of volunteers and there are lots of jobs that don't need horsey knowledge.

One of the best organised pleasure rides I have been on had loads of totally unhorsey Marshalls and gate openers. Really lovely friendly chatty people who made the dayard very pleasant. The people handing out numbers ato the beginning and rosettes at the end were fairly unhorsey too.

Depending upon where you live and your interests you could also speak to your local hunt about volunteering, there is normally a good social side and they often need people to organise none hunting events as well as things on hunting days like handing round the port, and collecting cap.if you have ethical concerns about fox hunting look for a bloodhound pack or drag pack.
 
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