Volunteers: The Heart of Our Sport

Picture of 2022 Classic Three Day Volunteers

Eventing competitions right up to the Olympics rely on volunteers to keep competitions fun, safe, and exciting. No prior experience is necessary; just a desire to get involved with a sport that celebrates horses and riders of all ages. Give us the chance to match you with the right job!!

Waredaca provides an orientation each morning before the competition begins which will help in completely understanding assignments.  Plus there are staff members and officials to answer questions and provide other details necessary to have a fun and enjoyable day.

General Information

What a team we have!!

Liz Schroeder remains our Volunteer Coordinator who can be reached at lizskips520@gmail.com to answer questions and to help you find the right volunteer position. 

Fritz Schneider is the recruit coordinator for our very special Goshen Hunt volunteers.

Upon arrival, all Volunteers, from your phase chair, will receive a red Waredaca vest to wear while doing your volunteer job. Wearing these vests will help our riders and visitors to identify you as a resource for information about the competition, the farm, as well as recognizing you doing your job for the event weekend!  You are a Waredaca Ambassador as well as a Waredaca Volunteer!

Want to volunteer at our next event? Head to Eventing Volunteers to see what volunteer positions are open and to sign up!

Helpful USEA Volunteer Links

The USEA Volunteer webpage is full of resources to help you succeed in various volunteer positions. If you’ve signed up to act in a new volunteer position and would like to get a jump start on your training, you can get some education before you arrive at the event at the links below:

  1. Review Volunteer Position Checklists – The USEA Volunteer Committee created checklists for several common volunteer roles that contain useful information including what to bring and what to expect on the job.  While these checklists should generally apply to most USEA recognized events, always communicate with your event organizer or volunteer coordinator to make sure you have the most updated information.
  2. Review Volunteer Videos – If you’re more of a visual learner, consider reviewing the Volunteer Videos for your role! These videos provide similar information to the Volunteer Position Checklists on what to expect once you’re on the job.
  3. Jump Judge Instructional Videos – If you are signing up to jump judge on cross-country for the first time, this series of instructional videos is for you! This six-part series will walk you through the most important parts of acting as a jump judge before you’re in the field. 

Photo Credit Erin Gilmore Photography

Assignments

Available positions can be found at www.eventingvolunteers.com.
Briefing times and other details will be emailed to you a few days prior to your volunteer date via eventingvolunteers.com and Lizskips520@gmail.com. Please be sure to add these addresses to your contacts so they don’t end up in your spam folder.
Thank you for volunteering your time!

Sign Up to Volunteer

Eventing Volunteers is your centralized resource for all your Eventing volunteering needs. You can search to find volunteer opportunities in your area and register to volunteer all in the same place. You can view and make changes to your sign-ups through this centralized dashboard as well.

Contact Lizskips520@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Eventing Volunteers

The driving force behind the sport of
eventing is the many amazing volunteers that support recognized events week in and week out! The USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) exists to increase the ease of participation, provide incentives, and recognize the tireless efforts of these volunteers.

Supporting and empowering volunteerism has been highlighted in recent years as the Association has looked for ways to recognize these unsung heroes. The program’s roots first began to grow thanks to the many efforts of the late Seema Sonnad, and they continued to grow thanks to the ongoing commitment of Seema’s fellow volunteer enthusiasts. The USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) was officially born in December of 2015, and in 2025, a new offering was launched in the USEA Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP). 

USEA Volunteer Programs

There are perks to being a Waredaca Volunteer!

Waredaca BUCKS will be earned at the following rate of exchange, based on hours exclusively worked in the Volunteer Job (prorated):
$25 for 4 hours
$35 for up to 8 hours
$50 for more than 8 hours

If you are a WAREDACA BOARDER
your earned BUCKS will automatically be credited to your boarding account

If you are a GOSHEN HUNT CLUB MEMBER or working on behalf of Goshen, your BUCKS will be donated directly to the Hunt

If you are not part of the previous groups, you can use your BUCKS to:

  • BE A FENCE SPONSOR for $75 BUCKS
  • Receive a Cross Country Schooling Session Voucher
  • find something at our WAREDACA STORE at BJs Custom Creations (there is no carry-over if the item you select is less than the BUCKS earned)

Thank you again for supporting us, each other, and this wonderful sport of eventing!

Additional Helpful Links:

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Below you will find a list with descriptions on the various positions available for volunteering at our horse trials. Sign up to volunteer, indicate your preference—we’ll do our best to match you with the best job for you!

We welcome everyone! Experienced horse person and/or anyone who wants to learn more! Come enjoy a beautiful setting, watch majestic horses, learn about our sport, and make new friends!

Dressage

Dressage Scribe

Whether or not you know anything about Dressage, prepare to learn MORE!! Learn what a Dressage judge is looking for and how each movement/test can be improved. Your own riding will improve and if you don’t ride Dressage will begin to make sense to you!
You will write (record) the Dressage Judges’ marks and comments on the tests.  Clear, easy to read handwriting is helpful.
Difficulty of Work: Sitting, writing
Working Conditions: Outdoors under cover

Dressage Ring Steward

Dressage Ring Steward
Interact with the competitors and assist them to arrive at their assigned ring at their assigned time for their test. You will communicate via radio with the warm up steward and the Dressage chair to stay organized with any updates. No experience needed. A great way to watch a great number of Dressage tests by many gorgeous horses!
Difficulty of Work: Standing, using a loud voice, helping set ring(s) if needed
Working Conditions: Outdoors
Please watch the video to the right will for an overview of the Dressage Ring Steward position and some tips.

Dressage Test Collector

This is a great introduction to volunteering for those under 16. Learn all about Dressage and how the entire competition runs. Our Dressage Chair will ask you to collect the scored test from each of the judges at regular intervals throughout the day and deliver them to the competition scorers. Much time available to watch many Dressage tests and warm ups. Bonus is that we have many of our Olympic riders compete here and you can usually watch their entire ride!
Difficulty of Work: great job for those under 16
Physical Demands: walking, sitting
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Dressage Bit Checker

No experience necessary. However, being comfortable around horses is necessary. This job entails ensuring that each horse is being ridden in an approved bit. Sometimes you will need to place a gloved finger in the corner of the horse’s mouth. The Dressage Chair is there to assist if necessary. Disposable gloves provided.
Difficulty of Work:  Standing, walking, direct contact with horses
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Show Jumping

Show Jumping In-Gate Steward

This is a great way to see every round in the show jumping phase!! So much fun to watch and so much one can learn if you ride or do not. If you enjoy the Washington International Horse Show, you will LOVE this!! Right there interacting with the competitors helping them to get into the ring safely and at their assigned time.You will be in charge of letting the competitors into the competition ring and will radio to the judge the competitor’s number. Keeping this area safe for competitors and spectators is equally important. It is a busy job as there is much going on. You will work with the Warm-Up Steward coordinating how to move horses from warm-up into the arena and out while thinking about safety. All you need is a love of horses and enjoy juggling a few tasks all at once.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Standing, lifting
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Show Jumping Timers

You will be responsible for timing the start and finish time for each competitor.  You will relay your time to the judge and scribe who will record the competitor’s time.  You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Sitting
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Show Jumping Scribe

You will be responsible for recording the details of each competitor’s round for the show jumping judge. You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Sitting, writing
Working Conditions: Outdoors, covered

Show Jumping Warm-Up

You will coordinate with the Show Jumping Gate Keeper on which competitors are in warm up and when to move them from warm-up into the in gate area. You will monitor the warm up area keeping safety in mind at all times. You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Standing, lifting
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Show Jumping Crew Member

Puts together the jumps after they’ve been knocked down in a jumping class; the jump crew also rearranges or assembles jumps for the different levels. One should be able to quickly lift 12′ poles and be able to move in and out of the arena quickly. Usually a teenager or adult. No prior experience necessary, On the job training.
Difficulty of Work:  Lifting, running,  sitting
Working Conditions:  Outdoors

Cross Country

Cross Country Jump Judge

There will be one or two Judges at each obstacle on cross-country. You will be responsible for assessing penalties at obstacles, responding properly and promptly in the case of emergency, and for ensuring that the area around the obstacle is clear when each competitor approaches. You don’t need prior experience for this position and will receive on-the-job training.  The ability to remain calm in emergencies is helpful.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Walking, standing, possibility of handling horses
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Cross Country Jump Judge

There will be one or two Judges at each obstacle on cross-country. You will be responsible for assessing penalties at obstacles, responding properly and promptly in the case of emergency, and for ensuring that the area around the obstacle is clear when each competitor approaches. You don’t need prior experience for this position and will receive on-the-job training.  The ability to remain calm in emergencies is helpful.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Walking, standing, possibility of handling horses
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Cross Country Road Crossing Steward

You will take responsibility for a crossing or area in which you will maintain control of crowds on the road, ensuring that they do not interfere with the horses in competition.  You will alert spectators when horses are coming so they can move off the road and generally manage crowds to ensure their safety and that of the competitors.  You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Walking, standing
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Cross Country Start and Finish Timers

We will need a Start Timing Crew and a Finish Timing Crew. Each crew will also have a scribe to help write down times and scores.  You will be responsible for recording either start or finish time for each competitor.  The Start Box will need to be in radio contact with warm-up to keep horses moving up to the start so the printed schedule is adhered to.  You will radio Control when a competitor has started on course, you may be required to hold the start if instructed by Control in case of emergency.  Once you start a horse, you must record the competitor’s number and actual time of start.  Finish will need to be in radio contact with Control so they can report when a horse completes the course and must record the competitor’s number and actual time of crossing the finish.  You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Walking, standing, sitting
Working Conditions: Outdoors, may be covered

Cross Country Score Collector

You will be responsible for collecting score sheets from all of the jump judges and start and finish in a timely manner and for making certain all score sheets get delivered to the scorers.  This is an important job with a lot of responsibility. You will ensure timely scoring of results for competitors.  You will also provide drinks throughout the day for the jump judges and lunch when it is ready. You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Must have a current driver’s license; be able to drive a four-wheeler or similar type of vehicle in any kind of weather and over varied terrain.
Working Conditions: Outdoors

Hospitality & Parking

Hospitality Steward

You will be in charge of creating food baskets, drink coolers and coffee for each of the dressage judges, dressage steward and crew, show jumping judge and crew, score keeping, and the secretary’s office. You will also create the cross country drink coolers. This is all done first thing in the morning before the first dressage ride. It is finished once lunch arrives. You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Standing, bending
Working Conditions: Indoors, Outdoors

Parking Steward

You will be in charge of greeting each truck and trailer as they arrive and directing them as to where and in which direction to park. This is an early morning job that provides you with your hot drink of choice. You don’t need prior experience for this position and can receive on-the-job training.
Difficulty of Work: Physical Demands: Standing, sitting
Working Conditions: Outdoors