Volunteer opportunities for MSEDA members abound. Each month, we will feature an opportunity for members to obtain volunteer hours and help put on a successful, MSEDA-sanctioned show.
By Sarah E. Coleman
Park Equine Kentucky Classique Horse Trials
Date and Time: The Horse Trial will be held September 2 and 3, but a Friday dressage is in the talks with management because of our AWESOME riders supporting Area 8. We will let riders know ASAP if we're going to make the switch, says Mary Fike.
Event History: Kentucky Classique filled the date in the fall calendar when Mary Bayer and Stanley Wiggs discontinued doing the ever-popular Fall Ha’Penny Horse Trial.
Volunteer opportunities before the event:
- Stall cards
- Labeling dressage tests
- Setting up the office
- Setting Dressage
- Hanging banners
- Roping XC
We also can use volunteer to help set stadium, Mary noted. It’s usually on the Thursday of event week. If folks like to paint/stain, we can arrange to gift them a paintbrush and they can spend some glorious time out on XC and maybe befriend the park’s resident fox or catch sight of the newest owlets in the old Burr Oak tree.
Volunteer opportunities during the event:
- Jump judges
- Scribes
- Score runners, etc.
It should be noted that if anyone is interested in volunteering, please email Lynn and let her know your availability, we can work around ride times, groom schedules, crying, freaking out and drinking, says show secretary Erin Murphy.
Volunteer opportunities after the event:
- Thank you notes to all officials.
- Creation of a press release, article about the event
- Take down SJ, dressage, XC flags and decorations, etc.
What should volunteers know?
We all know that weather in September can be unpredictable, so make sure to come prepared. Jacket, rain pants, boots, bug spray, sun glasses, wine (jk, but no really). We do provide lunch. I always bring my earbuds and music and a chair and boots, says Mary.
For more information or to sign up for a time, please email Lynn Davis at lynndavis@twc.com.
