Volunteering

 
Volunteering with Dressage Niagara...

Dressage Niagara is a not-for-profit organization that supports dressage
in the Niagara region and consequently volunteers are very important
to us! Volunteers are always needed and welcome at shows and events throughout the year.

In order to be eligible for year-end awards, it is a requirement of membership in Dressage Niagara that each member donate half a day of volunteer service to the club each year. Club activities are run solely by volunteers and many are needed to make competitions run smoothly.

For riders and coaches who cannot help on show days, it is also acceptable to designate a capable substitute (friend, relative) to perform the volunteer hours. Please identify the substitute to the Volunteer Coordinator before the volunteer hours are worked. Annual awards will not be given if volunteer service is not completed.

To assist in planning, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, as early in the season as possible, to indicate when you would like to volunteer, or if you have any questions about volunteering.



Volunteer positions available specifically at our Shows:

Volunteer Position   Description
Announcer  

Use a  Microphone to Introduce each rider by name & name of horse, thank each rider as they leave the ring, make various PR announcements throughout the Show.
The announcer is responsible for making sure the show is moving along according to the schedule and making the show more interesting for spectators.
The Announcer must only indicate rider number before the ride.
After the ride; name of rider, which test they are riding and possibly a few
interesting details about their horse (name, breed, interesting facts). They will thank our sponsors and announce lunchtime, changes in order of go, scratches, breaks in the show, or messages to riders and volunteers who may be in the barn.
Whipper In   From the list of scheduled ride times, keep riders on time. Direct riders from the warm-up ring to the Show ring when it’s time to ride their test.
Show Office (2 People)   Hand out competition numbers, receive registration cheques, tally score sheets, post results, hand out ribbons, assist the Show co-ordinator wherever possible.
Scoring   Located in the Show Office - Tally the scores for tests and calculate final scores and percentages.
Scribe   The scribe sits with the Judge during all tests. The scribe should have some previous training or experience in writing the language of Dressage (Scribing).
The scribe needs to quickly and neatly fill out test scores and write down the Judge’s comments as He/She makes them, to aid the rider in further development. This is a formally trained position by attending a Scribing Clinic or some prior experience at scribing would be an advantage.
Runner   Picks up scores from the Judge and transports them to the Show Office for scoring. (You don't have to actually run!) (This position is suitable for a junior or any volunteer aged 8 and older).
Food Booth   Running the BBQ, making food, serving food, selling food and drinks to competitiors, spectators and family members.
Parking   Direct cars and horse trailers to the appropriate or designated parking areas. Answer questions and ask people to move vehicles if parked inappropriately.
Ribbons/Presentations   Hand out ribbons for show office during presentation times (This position is suitable for a junior or any volunteer aged 8 and older).
Setup and Tear Down   Measuring and Setup of Dressage Arena, Show Office tent, Judges Tent, Table and Chairs. Any other setup and tear down assistance that may be required.