Get involved in eventing
You don't have to be in the saddle to get involved in eventing. There are many opportunities for you to learn more about the sport and enjoy the passion, skill and excitement.
Did you know…
…eventing simply couldn’t happen without volunteers?
- Each one-day event needs around 160 volunteers in order to run.
- Approximately 400 volunteers are needed for a three-day event.
- With nearly 200 events taking place each year, that’s a lot of volunteers needed!
- All trained British Eventing Stewards are volunteers.
In short, VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL – could you be one?
How can I get involved in British Eventing other than competing?
Offering to help is a great way to get involved in eventing – not only will it support your local events and their organisers but you can benefit too.
If you are just considering competing, helping out at an event will give you an invaluable insight into what to expect. If you are already competing, it is a great way to put something back into the sport and ensure eventing will continue long into the future.
At an event there is a variety of roles for volunteers – any training needed will be given. Volunteers are vital to eventing and whatever help you can give will be much appreciated.
To get a taste of what being an eventing volunteer is like, visit the British Eventing Volunteer facebook page - you can find out which events currently need your help on the Wall, or join the Discussions to share tips and ask questions.
Events currently needing help are also listed under Volunteering Opportunties on the BE website. You can also contact your local event organiser directly – you will find all the organisers contact details in the online event diary.
"Last season I was persuaded to fence judge
at a local event and I enjoyed it so much
that I decided to do a bit more... I have found it an
extremely rewarding experience... Seeing the sport
from the other side is, in my opinion,
essential for all competitors...
So riders, if you are at a loose end one weekend,
phone your local event and see if you can help out."
If I volunteer to help at an event what might I be asked to do?
There are a variety of roles that volunteers carry out at events. One of the most common is Fence Judging - for this you will be briefed on the day and paired with someone experienced if you haven’t done it before. You can also sign up for a fence judging training day beforehand. In return you’ll get to watch the cross-country action closer than most and be a vital part of the competition as it unfolds.
You may be asked to be part of the showjumping arena party whose job it is to keep the showjumping phase running as smoothly as possible by ensuring fences are rebuilt quickly so everything runs on time.
Volunteers may also be asked to be dressage writers - this involves noting down the judge’s comments on each movement as it’s ridden by the competitor. It is a great way to get a feel of what the judges look for, especially if you are planning on competing yourself.
Other roles include joining the scoring team, helping with stewarding, assisting with car or lorry parking, and helping with hospitality.
There is also the more specialist voluntary role of BE Steward. You will need to undergo British Eventing training before you can carry out this role – to find out more contact the Training department on Tel. 0845 262 3344.
What is the British Eventing Volunteer Database?
It is a central register of people who have said they are willing to help at an affiliated event. You will only go the Database if you give permission when you complete your Free Lifetime Registration.
The Database enables BE to support event organisers should they need additional volunteers to those who have approached them directly. It also allows British Eventing to have a record of those who have kindly offered their time and effort, so that they can be recognised accordingly. Your information will be used for no other purpose other than assisting event organisers find willing volunteers.
Are volunteers recognised by British Eventing in anyway?
Absolutely. Volunteers are the lifeblood of eventing and British Eventing recognise this.
On the day itself, as well as having the opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy a fun day out, some event organisers may offer a small thank you token, ranging from a letter of appreciation, to a box of chocolates or a voucher to use the venue’s facilities.
In addition, you will receive a BE Thank You voucher which entitles you to up to 20% off any British Eventing merchandise. If you collect three vouchers, you will be entered into the annual Volunteer Ticket draw for the chance to win free season tickets and car passes to one of a selection of major events.
The invaluable time and effort given by volunteers is also recognised publicly at the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards. As well as the top title, a Young Volunteer and a Fence Judge are specifically recognised – the latter win the chance to fence judge at Badminton!
Volunteers can also enjoy a discounted British Eventing membership. Associate Volunteer Membership costs just £40, or £35 if you apply on line, and includes British Eventing magazine and access to a number of BE events.
To ensure you are recognised by British Eventing as a volunteer make sure you are on the Volunteer Database. You can do this when you complete the Free Lifetime Registration online or by post by ticking the relevant box.
NEWS UPDATE: Top ticket prizes for BE volunteers
Twenty lucky British Eventing volunteers have been out enjoying some of the best events on the sport’s calendar after winning themselves free season tickets.
As a thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that underpin eventing, British Eventing holds an annual ticket draw to win five pairs of season tickets plus a car pass, to four of the premier events: The Festival of British Eventing, plus Blair, Burghley and Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
Margaret Younger from Norfolk, was one of the lucky winners of Burghley tickets and enthuses, “I went on the Sunday and had a fantastic time. I shopped, ate lots of lovely food, watched some fascinating riding classes and, of course, the last 10 showjumping rounds. It was great.”
Mrs Younger has been volunteering at BE and other events for ten years. “As I’m quite long in the tooth, I don’t ride so much now and no longer have a horse but enjoy the events. I tend to jump judge and it is lovely to sit in beautiful countryside, see wonderful horses and enjoy the social side. I plan to keep going for a while yet – besides I want to win tickets to Blair Castle next year!”
Entry into the draw for season tickets can only be made with a BE Thank You voucher, given to all those who kindly help at BE events. To find out more about the Volunteer Ticket draw and for the full list of the 2010 winners visit the Volunteer Online Area.
