Fitch's Corner Volunteer Information

Anyone who has been involved with a horse trials knows how critical volunteers are for the execution of a successful event.

We would like to invite people to volunteer for a full day or half day for the Fitch's Corner Horse Trials on July 20, 21 and 22. Nancy Estes is our Volunteer Chairman assisted by Pam Scott. Pam will be the contact for new volunteers. 

Volunteers are essential, provide important support and have fun being engaged with an inside and close up view. Fitch's Corner volunteers receive our commemorative tee shirt, lunch and full day volunteers are offered a complimentary invitation to the Blue Jean Ball.

Dressage is held on July 20 and Stadium and Cross Country jumping are held on both July 23 and 24. The exact times are not finalized until closer to the event weekend.

To sign up, please email volunteer@fitchscorner.com and include your name, email and phone number. Pam will contact you with additional details. Also, please include information such as - First time volunteer? Some knowledge of horse competitions? No knowledge?  We want to find the compatible and appropriate position for each volunteer.

If you have already signed up to volunteer, thank you for participating at Fitch's Corner Horse Trials and supporting our community and the Millbrook Rescue Squad.

Additional Information

Here is some information on volunteering, courtesy of Nancy Estes:

Each phase of the event requires a large number of volunteers.  The schedule will dictate which days each phase is held, so volunteers should check when they are available and THEN  select  possible assignments.  Assignment  slots are filled on a, “First come first served basis,”  with the exception of certain jobs that require experience or specific expertise. 

Volunteers should expect to spend at least a half day at each assignment.  Some assignments may require an early morning briefing (i.e. 6 AM), but most morning shifts start at 7-7:30 am.  Afternoon shifts generally run from noon until competition ends for the day. Full day Volunteers will be provided with lunch and all volunteers will receive cold beverages and a volunteer tee shirt.  Volunteers should bring their own chair, bug spray, sun block, hat, extra clothing, and rain gear. DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG!  It is not safe for the dog or the competitors.  Check with the volunteer coordinator if you want to bring children with you to determine if your assignment allows you to supervise them or if we may have a job for them while you volunteer.

Volunteer Assignments

The volunteer assignments include:

DRESSAGE:

1. Scribe - secretary to the judge (requires experience)
2. Ring Steward - makes sure each rider enters their ring on time
3. Bit Checker - examines bits, spurs and whips to determine if they meet competition regulations-requires experience with horses
4. Warm Up Steward - supervises the warm up area and sends riders to their rings at the proper time
5. Road Crossing - traffic control for the safety of the horses, riders, and spectators
6. Ring Rakers - smooth out the footing in each ring as needed

CROSS COUNTRY:

1. Fence Judges - sit at each fence and record what happens as each horse jumps the fence
2. Start - Counts down horses to their start  time and records  that  time (experience required)
3. Finish - Records finish times (experience preferred)
4. Warm Up Steward - Supervises warm up area and sends riders to the start at the appropriate time (requires experience with eventing and maturity)
5. Traffic Control - keeps spectators off the course at areas of foot traffic
6. Road Crossing - see Dressage above

SHOW  JUMPING:

1. Judge’s Scribe - writes scores for the judge
2. Timer -  Works with time clock/stop watch (experience required)
3. In Gate Steward -  Keeps horses entering the ring in the correct order and on time
4. Warm Up Steward -  Supervises warm up area and sends horses to the ring as directed by the in gate steward
5. Jump Crew - Puts up fallen rails and fences

Other jobs may be available once all the necessary slots above are filled.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!