Volunteering with CDCTS

We’re always looking for volunteers to help during CDCTS-sponsored events like shows, clinics, symposiums, etc. Our club could not do the work we do without our fabulous volunteers. It takes a lot of work hours to create the fun and educational events and shows we sponsor. We need your help as volunteer staff.

We have a number of standard volunteer positions available for almost any event where you would like to help. Please look over the volunteer job descriptions below, and contact a board member or the specified organizer of the event you’re interested in working for. Other volunteer assignments may be available on an as-needed basis.

One really great perk of volunteering for CDCTS is that you can earn “Dressage Bucks” that can be used to pay for club-sponsored events such as clinics, shows, and symposiums…not to mention merchandise, food at CDCTS-run food booths, and much more!

We also recognize our outstanding volunteers with a End-of-Year Volunteer award.

So get started right away. We’d love to have your help!

Reminder: For the 2009 membership year, CDCTS members who want to be eligible for end-of-year awards must complete a minimum of 4 hours of volunteer service during the membership year (December 1, 2008 - November 30, 2009).

To track and report your volunteer service hours, download and print a copy of our Volunteer Hour Log from our DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS page. Logs must be signed and dated by the coordinators for the event where you worked and then must be turned in with test scores by the submission deadline for end-of-year awards.

Volunteer Service Positions

Scribe: The scribe sits with the judge (or stands in rail classes) and records comments and scores on the sheet provided. Scribing for dressage tests is relatively easy at the lower levels and can be performed by anyone with quick and legible handwriting. Scribing for upper level tests is more fast-paced, but anyone with previous scribing experience can do it. Scribing is a great opportunity to learn about dressage from the judge's point of view and is a great educational experience.

Runner: Runners are responsible for collecting tests from judges and delivering them to the scorer, as well as for retrieving food or other necessary items for the judge and scribe. Runners may also be asked to do various odd jobs, but they often have plenty of time to watch the show!

Scorer: The scorer is responsible for tallying up scores for each dressage test, checking them twice, and then posting the placements for the class. A scorer must know the basics of how to tally a dressage or combined training test, which is very easy to learn, and good electronic calculator skills are always a plus. Scorers are usually inside away from the action, but their job is very important, and accuracy is a must!

Jump Crew/Arena Setup Crew: The jump crew is responsible for setting jumps, re-setting jumps after a rail is knocked, and doing any necessary course adjustments for the different levels. Jumps can be heavy, so crew members need to be fit enough to lift and carry 50 lbs. The arena setup crew is responsible for setting up the dressage arena and letters before the show as well as tearing down the arena after the show. The CDCTS dressage arena is very easy to set up and is lightweight, so anyone who is available before the day of the show or at the end of the show day might want to volunteer for this job.

Ring Steward: The ring steward is responsible for the warm-up area. He or she must check each rider's bridle number to make sure it is the correct number and is correctly placed, and the ring steward must notify each rider when their turn in the arena is coming up. The ring steward may also be asked to check tack and bits to make sure they are legal for competition, and he or she acts as the go-between for riders in the warm-up area and the arena, keeping everything running on time and informing the arena of any discrepancies, problems, or scratches. The ring steward has a big job, but this is a fun way to get to know riders and their horses and to be very involved in the organization and running of a show.

Concessions: Concessions are a big part of every show...and an opportunity for CDCTS to make some money if everything runs well! Concessions can be basic to elaborate, but good things to offer are lots of drinks, snack foods, and possibly lunch items like hot dogs, hamburgers, or soup/sandwiches. CDCTS occasionally runs a concession stand, and staffers are in charge of setup, cleanup, and collecting money, but we often invite pony club or 4-H groups to run their own concessions at our shows as fundraisers. If you would like to organize a concession stand at one of our shows, just ask!