A fun and rewarding way to get involved with the sport!

Spend your day in a beautiful setting, watching amazing animals & excellent horsemanship!

We have a variety of opportunities that require no experience.

How to Volunteer

Step 1: Create New Account

Go to www.eventingvolunteers.com/users/sign_up, fill out the email and password then click "sign up." After, click the link sent to your email to confirm your account. This will be your centralized resource for all your volunteering needs.

Step 2: Complete Volunteer Form

Login to your account and fill out the “New Volunteer Form.” Once complete, you will be redirected to the Volunteer Dashboard.

Step 3: Sign Up for Events

After reviewing the Volunteer Job Descriptions, go to your Dashboard then click the "Events" tab to view open events that you can sign up for.

Step 4: Check-In & Have Fun. Bring your Friends!

Arrive promptly at the requested time for your training so that you have the opportunity to ask questions and become confident in your role.

Step 5: Check-Out

At the end of the day, check-out and join us for the after-party to celebrate a job well done!

volunteers wearing black MDHT merchansdise

You'll have all the resources you need for a successful day PLUS perks!

Download the Eventing Volunteers app for FREE!

See announcements, check-in, and check-out at each event.

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Dressage

  • Responsible for the smooth running of the dressage phase.
  • Oversee, assist and maintain the comfort of the dressage volunteers.
  • Keep warm-up areas safe and controlled.
  • Maintain contact with the show secretary, officials, and organizational staff to resolve concerns and problems.
  • Work in tandem with the in-gate steward to control the flow of riders through warm-up, bit check and the show ring.

(For unrecognized events, the dressage steward is also the in-gate steward).

  • Assure that horses and riders are tacked and outfitted as dictated by USEA/USEF rules, and that all horses are inspected.
  • Report concerns to the dressage steward and technical delegate.

Requirements:

  • Prior handling experience

(There are no bit check positions at unrecognized events).

Watch Video

  • Work in tandem with the dressage steward.
  • Serve as control for the dressage phase.
  • Ensure that competitors are accounted for in lower warm-up.
  • Greet and check in competitors at the upper warm-up and ensure that they adhere to their ride times.
  • Maintain a safe number of riders in upper warm-up.
  • Communicate with show secretary and judges as necessary.

(For unrecognized events, this position is filled by the dressage steward).

Watch Video

  • Record the judge’s marks and comments.
  • Ensure that the correct rider and horse have presented for the test.
  • Keep track of time to help keep your ring from falling behind schedule.
  • Clear, consistent handwriting
  • Quiet, friendly demeanor

Watch Video

LiveScore Dressage Video

  • Maintain the flow of riders through your ring.
  • Communicate with in-gate and warm-up stewards to assure that your riders are present and arrive on time.
  • Assist the judge in your ring as necessary.
  • Opening and closing the out-gate so riders can exit the arena.

(For unrecognized events, ring stewards also serve the role of warm-up stewards).

  • Carry dressage tests from the rings to the scoring room.
  • Collect stadium scores.

Watch Video

Stadium / Show Jumping

  • Responsible for the smooth running of the show jumping phase.
  • Oversee, assist and maintain the comfort of the show jumping volunteers.
  • Keep warm-up areas safe and controlled.
  • Maintain contact with the show secretary, officials, and organizational staff to resolve concerns and problems.
  • Work in tandem with the in-gate steward to control the flow of riders through warm-up and the show ring.

(For unrecognized events, the jumping steward may also be the jumping judge).

  • Record the judge’s marks and comments.
  • Record time for each competitor.
  • Ensure that the score sheet is correct and accurate.

(This position may not exist for unrecognized events.)

Watch Video

  • Run a stopwatch or timer for the jumping test.
  • Ensure that accurate time is kept for each competitor.

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events.)

Watch Video

  • Keep riders moving from warm-up to the competition ring in an orderly fashion.
  • Announce riders as they enter the ring.
  • Assist in fence crew duties if necessary.

(This position may be combined with the Out-Gate Steward depending on ring configuration.)

Watch Video

Keep riders moving out of the competition ring quickly and safely. It may be necessary to assist a fallen rider or catch a loose horse. Assist in fence crew duties if necessary.

(This position may be combined with the In-Gate Steward depending on ring configuration.)

  • Replace fallen rails.
  • Assist with the changing of the heights.
  • Fence configuration for each division.
  • Assist a fallen rider or catch a loose horse.
  • Physically demanding position.

Watch Video

  • Keep warm-up area safe and controlled.
  • Check-in riders and communicate with Jumping Steward and In-Gate Steward to keep riders moving smoothly between the warm-up and competition areas.
  • Assist a fallen rider or catch a loose horse.

Watch Video

  • Carry score sheets from the stadium ring to the scoring room.
  • Collect dressage tests.

Cross Country

  • Responsible for the coordination of volunteers for the cross country phase.
  • Oversee, assist and maintain the comfort of the cross country volunteers.
  • Maintain contact with Control, the technical delegate and organizational staff to address incidents, resolve concerns and problems.
  • Position and manage volunteers to safely and effectively judge each obstacle on cross country
  • Some experience preferred.
  • Start riders on their cross country rides, and announce them on radio.
  • Maintain the flow of riders from warm-up to start box.
  • Maintain a safe time interval between riders on course.
  • Keep radio contact with Control to be aware of incidents or holds on course, and control rider flow appropriately.
  • Some experience preferred.

Watch Video

  • Accurately record start and finish times for each rider, as dictated by start/finish timer(s).

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events)

  • Accurately measure each rider’s time on course.
  • Record time or dictate to scribe.

Requirements:

  • Multitasking
  • Attention to detail

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events).

  • Accurately measure each rider’s finish time.
  • Record time or dictate to scribe.

Requirements:

  • Multitasking
  • Attention to detail

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events).

Watch Video

  • Assess and record penalties at a cross country obstacle.
  • Maintain a safe, clear area around the obstacle.
  • Relay to Control, via radio, the incidents that occur at your obstacle, including refusals, rules infractions and fall or injury of rider or horse.
  • A calm, professional demeanor
  • Ability to follow directions in emergencies

(For unrecognized events, one fence judge may cover multiple obstacles).

Watch Video

  • Check in competitors to the cross country phase
  • Maintain the flow of riders to the start box.
  • Monitor the warm-up area for safety.

Watch Video

  • Drive around the cross country course in a golf cart or ATV collecting score sheets from jump judges, start and finish timers.
  • Provide drinks, snacks and other assistance as necessary.
  • Pick up stadium scores

Requirements:

  • 18+ years old
  • Valid driver’s license

Watch Video

  • Assist competitors with cooling down their horses after the cross-country phase.
  • Make sure the tent is well-stocked with water and ice.
  • Remove manure as necessary.
  • Maintain a safe environment.

Requirements:

  • Handling experience

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events).

Hospitality

  • Help competitors, grooms, volunteers and spectators get around the show grounds in golf carts.
  • Ferry tack from the cross country finish to competitors’ trailers.
  • Fill in for cross-country or stadium score running
  • Help deliver lunches. 

(This position does not exist for unrecognized events).

Requirements:

  • 18+ years old
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Welcome and check in our volunteer crew
  • Offer drinks and snacks
  • Direct volunteers to their assigned positions.
  • Check out volunteers at the end of their shifts
  • Hand out schooling passes, t-shirts, etc.
  • Assist in greeting, directing, assisting and feeding volunteers.
  • Make and deliver snacks and lunches,
  • Give rides
  • Be a ‘stand-in’ in case a volunteer needs a break.
  • Collect scores or shuttle passengers. 

Shuttle Requirements:

  • 18+ years old
  • Valid driver’s license
Betty Thorpe

Betty Thorpe Volunteer Award

Awarded to the Dressage volunteer who best exemplifies Betty Thorpe’s kindness, strength, willingness, and generosity of spirit.

Questions about volunteering?

Contact Gena, the Volunteer Coordinator.