Until these pages have been migrated, please find our volunteer information on
the old site
here.
One way that we as participants, be it riders, breeders, horse owners or
just those interested in the sport, can improve the sport of Dressage is to
volunteer. There are many benefits to volunteering including but certainly not
limited to free entry into the event, rewards of friendship and free education.
More questions? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Heidi Gloudemans:
Click to email
Volunteer News
April 8, 2007: Volunteer Online!!!
E.I. is proud to roll out on online volunteer management system. From the
buttons above, either see what opportunities are available, or sign in and
manage your own volunteering schedule with E.I.
E.I. will never share your information from the volunteer database with a
3rd party
April 9, 2007: L’Aperitif and Beaujolais Volunteer Opportunities posted!
Now is your opportunity to get that scribing position you always wanted! Select
either button above to sign in and sign up!!
Why Volunteer?
A free education: Seeing E.I.events in action is a chance to experience what
many may only know as theory.
An aspiring 1st level volunteer can ring steward a class and watch what’s
rewarded…and what’s not
A dressage rider can jump judge an eventing course and truly understand
"cross-training"
A scribe will see what a judge is looking for in a "7" canter depart...
Get to know your fellow horse-lovers: Our barns are like islands of which we
rarely venture off. Volunteering allows you to cross-pollinate with other
like-minded individuals in our community.
Help E.I. Continue to Serve the Local Equine Community: In 2006, E.I. volunteers
donated over 1000 hours to making our events successful. Won’t you join us?
Got Feedback?
Click here!
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Scribe
E Scribe
Scorer
Runner
Show Announcer
Ring Steward
Scribe
A scribe writes the judges comments onto the test sheets. They must be able to
sit quietly and concentrate for hours upon end listening and recording the
judge's comments accurately and consistently. They also help prepare the area
for each test, ensure that the proper equipment is at the judge's stand. and
give the completed test sheets to the arena runner.
Before the first ride, discuss with the judge how business will be
conducted. Establish clearly whether comments for a movement will be given
before or after the score so that comments will be entered in the proper place.
At the start of each class, be sure the judge knows what test is being
performed. A spare copy of the test must be provided for the judge. Check each
rider's number as soon as possible, confirming it with the test sheet cover. If
the numbers do not match, find out who the rider is and locate the proper test
sheet. Write the rider's number in the number box on the inside of the test
sheet.
Scribes Duties During the Riding of the Test:
Write the judge's comments exactly as given. Do not rearrange or edit. Establish
whether the judge wants comments abbreviated or will not accept
abbreviations. If judge allows such, use abbreviations as much as possible. Do
not talk to the judge during a ride. If you get lost, quietly ask what movement
the next score will be for.
Time commitment required:
Minimum of 4 hours, judges prefer to have the same scribe all day.
Attributes & Skills needed:
Clear, legible handwriting, even at top-speed, Limits conversation with the
judge to a friendly greeting and small talk during breaks. Makes NO remarks
about any horse or rider in the competition, including but not limited to, any
background information about the horse or rider, their trainer/coach, breeding,
etc. Maintains confidentiality. Never repeats the judge's remark.
E Scribe
E Scribes record the score for each movement into a computer during judging. The
scoring system may be connected to the show office and/or the show ground
web-page so preliminary scores maybe communicated.
Check each rider's number as soon as possible, confirming it with the test on
the screen. If the numbers do not match, find out who the rider is and locate
the proper test. Do not talk to the judge during a ride. If you get lost,
quietly ask what movement the next score will be for. Input each score from the
test into the computer system. Once the judge has completed their remarks, you
can double check or pick up missed scores from the written test.
Time commitment required:
Minimum of 4 hours
Attributes & Skills needed:
Has had e scorer training or have done this job before. Program is updated
yearly, so you will need to check with office before your scheduled volunteer
time. Limit conversation with the judge to a friendly greeting and small talk
during breaks. Makes NO remarks about any horse or rider in the competition,
including but not limited to, any background information about the horse or
rider, their trainer, etc. Maintains confidentiality. Never repeats the judge's
remark.
Scorer
Scorers sit (usually in the show office) and add up the scores directly from the
tests using an adding machine.
Runners will bring the tests to you. (At some shows you are also the
runner.) Before scoring the test, you should: Check test sheet to see that all
movements and collective marks have a score. Multiply scores with coefficients.
Look for errors which might be written as -2 in among comments. Check that the
judge has signed the test.
If there is a problem with the test, bring it to the show manager or secretary
for clarification.
Using an adding machine with tape, determine the total points. Add scores for
each movement and the collective marks. Subtract points marked as errors from
the total. To determine the percentage, divide the total number of scored points
by the total points possible for the test being scored. The total number of
points and percentage is printed on the front page of each test sheet. The total
number of points varies, so check before dividing. Check with show management to
see how many decimal points to carry out. Most shows have two scorers so that
you can double check each other. Once the test has been double checked record
the score on the master sheets. Most shows use computers to post scores, so not
all shows will have a master sheet. Arrange the scored tests for each class in
sequence, highest percentage scores on top. when the class is complete,
determine the placing and record them on the front of each test sheet. Once
class is placed tests can be handed back to competitors.
Guidelines for Scorers:
Because accuracy is critical in this job, peaceful and quiet surroundings are
necessary to eliminate distractions. The scoring area should be kept quiet with
minimum discussion. The Scorer should not show or discuss a test with a parent,
friend or trainer/coach nor show or return a test to a rider until after the
class is placed and posted. Similarly, the Scorer should not repeat anything
that is written on a test to anyone. The comments on the tests are confidential.
Time commitment required:
Minimum of 2 hours
Attributes & Skills needed:
Ability to use a calculator
Runner
Runners collect tests from the scribe and carry them to the scorers (usually in
the show office) in a fast and unobtrusive manner. The runner should not look at
these tests.
A runner is expected to stay at his/her assigned work area until
relieved. He/she should wear clothing suitable for the weather and comfortable
shoes. When collecting tests from the scribe, the runner should walk quietly to
the judge's stand as the horse in the arena finishes the final salute and leaves
the arena. The runner should not talk to either judge or scribe if they are
still commenting on the preceding ride. The scribe may ask for coffee, snacks,
pencils, etc., Do this while waiting for rides to finish. Never interrupt judge
or scribe while there is a test in progress.
Time commitment required:
Minimum of 2 hours
Attributes & Skills needed:
Ablility to walk quickly if needed and stand for periods of time. Makes NO
remarks about any horse or rider in the competition, including but not limited
to, any background information about the horse or rider, their trainer, etc.
Golf Cart Runners should pick up tests from other runners at designated
locations. They need to be taken directly to scorers. Golf Carts should be
driven very slowly and quietly past competition arenas. Great care should be
taken to make sure that the Golf Carts do not cross the show grounds, but stay
on the sides of the show grounds if at all possible.
Show Announcer
Announcers serve multiple functions. Primarily, the Announcer is responsible for
letting the show audience know which rider is in the ring, what horse they are
riding and what test they are riding. (this is best done as the rider is warming
up for their test.)
Secondly, who sponsored the classes and who the judge(s) and technical
delegate(s) are. This information can also be found in the program. The scores
and rankings in the prior classes (furnished by show management). Additionally,
the announcer communicates with the gate stewards over walkie/talkies: and
learns from them who is going into the ring.
In a multiple ring show the announcer must keep track of each ring, usually
through the gate steward (the announcer cannot always see all show rings.) At
the beginning of each shift for the gate steward, the announcer should let each
gate person know how they would like to be informed of who is in the ring. The
most efficient way is to request that the gate person inform the announcer when
the rider goes into the ring only (not going out which causes too much cross
talk on the walk-talkie at busy shows.)
Attributes and Skills Needed:
The Announcer needs a strong clear speaking voice with good grammar. This
position requires someone who is not timid about speaking in front of a crowd.
The announcer must think on their feet, be flexible and resourceful. There is
also a great deal of tact and diplomacy needed in this position as sensitive
issues sometimes must be communicated over the PA speaker. The announcer helps
to set a dignified and serene tone for the show therefore an understanding of
voice inflection to create this ambiance is desired.
Time Commitment Required:
The time commitment varies from show to show. The usual time commitment is a
four hour shift at most smaller dressage shows. If possible, it is optimal if
the same announcer is at the show all day.
Ring Steward
The Ring Steward makes sure the correct rider enters the competition arena at
the correct time. They also may watch over the warm-up area and make sure the
riders know the order of competition.
Ring Stewards are given an updated show schedule (showing all ride times) and
receive changes from the Show Office during the show. As the riders approach the
ring, check them off your schedule (so you know they are there). At any given
time, there should be only one rider in the dressage ring, one waiting to go in
(“on deck”), and one (“in the hole”). At some shows you will have a walkie/talkie
and will need to tell the announcer who's going into the show ring
next. Communication over the walkie/talkie should be kept to a minimum. Usually
the Announcer simply wants to know who is entering the competition ring. (Ex.
“Sand Arena, entry 34 has entered.”) It's NOT your responsibility to search for
the next rider. You may politely remind competitors to drop whips before
entering USEF Championship or point out that they forgot to remove their horse's
boots. Due to liability exposure you should not adjust any rider’s tack. After
the rider in the show ring has finished their final salute, the next rider may
warm-up around the perimeter of the ring. If there is a break, do not allow the
next horse to warm-up around the perimeter of the ring. To do so would
constitute an unfair advantage to that rider. Some shows allow riders in the
show rings during the lunch break. Additionally, some shows will have a Ring
Steward at the warm-up arena and another one at the ring. A ring steward for a
warm-up arena makes sure there are not more riders than can safely warm-up in
the ring. Ring Stewards should dress for weather conditions and provide their
own insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
Time commitment required:
Minimum of 2 hours
Attributes and Skills Needed:
Ability to read bridle tags from a distance, tactful speaking skills, supportive
and courteous tone. The Ring Steward makes NO remarks about any horse or rider
in the competition, including but not limited to, any background information
about any horse or rider, their trainer, etc.
Volunteer Awards
2005 Volunteers of the Year
Amy Adair
Marti Anderson
Carolynn Bunch
Andrew Cushman
Lynda Cushman
Kathleen Doyle
Beth Glosten
Amy Hagstrom
Indra Krastins
Kellie Larsen
Peter Larsen
Laurie McLaughlin
Carol Miller
Susan Miller
Shelly Navarre
Caroline Pinkers
Lothar Pinkers
Raphaela Pope
Al Scholten
Laura Scholten
Julie Scott
Jenni Wilkes
