About 20 years ago when I first decided that distance riding might be the sport for me a good friend gave me some advice. She said a great way to learn about the sport is to sign up as a volunteer at a ride. I did just that and I was extremely fortunate to be assigned as a scribe to the lay judge, Judy Voll.  I will never forget that day and her generosity.  She answered all my “newbie” questions and opened up her vast treasure trove of knowledge for me and taught me so much in one day.

A scribe’s job is to write down everything the judge sees and says about each horse at the initial Vet presentation, at the holds, and again at the end of the ride. You also travel with the judge out on the trail and watch the horses fly by and again make comments on their sheets.  It’s an education just watching so many different horse/rider combinations as they travel 25, 50 or 100 miles. I learned so much by watching the top riders….and from those whose horses needed to be pulled from the ride either for lameness issues or metabolic problems..

Just a few weeks ago I volunteered at a 30 mile ride my friend was managing.  My job was not glamorous – I was a traffic director – but still it was great to see my friends out there enjoying a beautiful fall day.  I even talked my significant other into coming along to work with the water crew at the half way hold. I figured this would a great way to introduce him to the sport without seeing me in a competitive mode!! (not a pretty sight)

Every year we host a Hunter Pace here at Trumbull Mountain and every year I volunteer to be a fence watcher.  Now, jumping is not something I do (on purpose) and I’m always amazed to see these lovely horses taking the fences with such grace.

I must say the most exciting volunteering I’ve ever done was for the VT 100 mile Endurance Ride many years ago. Again I was a scribe – this time for Dr. Nancy Loving who has written several books about endurance conditioning. We were together for almost 24 hours assessing  and recording the horse’s condition.  She did wind up treating several horses that day for dehydration and one horse for colic. Quite a learning experience.

We are all busy people. I have two horses, a house, a full time job, a human partner with whom I am building a new barn and a needy dog.  To give up a beautiful weekend day and sometimes travel over an hour to volunteer at a ride or event is hard sometimes. Firstly, because I would rather be riding!!! However, right now my mare is retired and my young horse isn’t ready to compete so it’s a perfect time to give back to my sport. Even so, I can’t deny that I feel envious. However, when I am competing and I see all the wonderful people who are so very necessary to make my ride successful I am so grateful they chose to give of their own precious time. I never forget to stop and say a sincere  thank you…..especially to the ride managers, judges, water crews, p&r people and cooks! Without volunteers we would not have a ride or event. It’s wonderful that in CTR and Endurance some associations are now giving Volunteer “mileage” awards at the end of each year.

So…..chose one event a year and volunteer. You will be amazed at how great it feels and how needed you really are.

Ironically, at the last ride I volunteered for, Judy Voll was there, again as a lay judge. I reminded her of that ride so many years ago when she took the time to teach me about CTR. We smiled at each other astonished at how quickly those years have passed.

Ride with a smile and always remember how lucky you are to be on the back of your horse………

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