So what can be done to make Dressage more affordable?

[lenapesadie]

That sounds good and all, but I think it’s a bit difficult for those who want to show to also work at the show. Sure the organizational stuff done well in advance of a show could be completed by volunteers that also intend to enter a show. Tasks needing done the day before, the day of and the day after a show may be difficult for a competitor to commit to.

I know for myself that preparing myself, my horse, my equipment and my rig for even a one day haul in show is pretty time consuming. Once at the show, preparing and riding my classes and then tending to my horse afterwards is also time consuming. Then I need to get us all home and unpacked. I’m typically pretty worn out at this point.

Then there is always the additional work of assisting whatever friend I’ve hauled with me. I almost always haul a friend or barn mates horse. I often assist them with clipping, mane pulling and braiding as well. My fee for hauling is usually requesting said friend to pack and bring the drinks cooler. I don’t ever charge anything for the clip / mane pulling / braiding help. I was a professional groom previously and feel like helping others that don’t have those skills is a way I can contribute to my little micro community. I also lend and donate tack frequently. I’ve ridden in clinics solely to ensure there were enough riders to secure the clinician. So it’s not like I don’t help, it’s just that for me volunteering at a show I’m riding in really isn’t very doable.

[Scribbler]

I agree that it would be impossible to volunteer on the day of the show if you were riding in it.

[eightpondfarm]

Maybe if volunteers could also get something out of it besides riding in it. Like maybe bringing in a green horse and stabling in one of the stalls for free. Horse gets exposure/show gets a helper. Shoot, i’d do that in a nano!

[sparkygrace]

Volunteers who put in a certain number of hours at our local show received a meal voucher for a delicious buffet. They also got some type of swag.

[Scribbler]

I think ideally you’d need to draw your show day volunteers from community people that aren’t showing. Students, friends, parents, of riders. Unfortunately I think volunteering is in decline across activities because people just don’t have enough time any more.

[sparkygrace]

Some volunteers do come from outside sources or other disciplines, which is great since it exposes new people to the sport. One beef I heard was, since riders are paying so much to compete, they are unwilling to donate extra time.

[SillyHorse]

@Scribbler

I agree that it would be impossible to volunteer on the day of the show if you were riding in it.

It is not impossible. Many of our volunteers who show find a way to give a few hours on a show day. You can be a runner or an office assistant, just two that come to mind. No one is required to work all day. Even the scribes are scheduled in four-hour shifts. Most scribes sign up to stay with their judges all day, and the judges prefer it, too, but it’s not required. If you want to volunteer, it can be done.

[SillyHorse]

@eightpondfarm

Maybe if volunteers could also get something out of it besides riding in it. Like maybe bringing in a green horse and stabling in one of the stalls for free. Horse gets exposure/show gets a helper. Shoot, i’d do that in a nano!

This is a pretty good idea! I wonder if it’s workable.

[jlm0305]

Yeah, it definitely isn’t impossible. In my experience the show organizers are very willing to work around your ride times. I’ve even had them be extremely accommodating when I was there to help a friend and volunteered.

Like I said up thread, our local show organization requires members to volunteer in order to be in good standing and receive year end awards. Everyone manages just fine.

[sparkygrace]

No, not impossible. I’ve ridden and volunteered at shows. Of course, a trainer showing multiple horses would have a hard time finding a minute to volunteer.

[SillyHorse]

@sparkygrace

No, not impossible. I’ve ridden and volunteered at shows. Of course, a trainer showing multiple horses would have a hard time finding a minute to volunteer.

We even allow “designated” volunteers for this very reason. Anyone can ask someone else to volunteer hours in their name. It works!

[sparkygrace]

Great idea!

[McGurk]

Volunteers could recieve a voucher for a class, stall, jhaul in or other fee.

Volunteers should always be well cared for on show days with drinks and food at appropriate intervals. An event I volunteer for provides a voucher that’s good at the food vendors for whatever you want.

Not necessarily applicable to dressage, but a group from my barn volunteered at an event: we were scribes, ring stewards and starters, and in return, we got schooling vouchers for the cross country course. This was awesome, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[soloudinhere]

And my horse just chills in an aluminum box for a few hours while I do that? If you’re showing off the trailer, that’s not very fair to a horse.

Not all shows are multi day affairs with stabling, but they still need these people.

It’s been my experience that volunteering is never all that organized until just before the show which makes it hard for a working, riding adult to schedule it in if they don’t know until the day before when they’re needed.

[Highflyer1]

My horses are fine chilling in the trailer with a haynet and water bucket for a few hours (admittedly
I won’t do it if it’s crazy hot-- then we are in and out or we don’t go at all). It’s not that bad. They are eventers and used to waiting in between dressage and jumping anyway, but IME most dressage horses do just find hanging out too-- I’ve seen plenty chill in between tests, or while waiting for a carpool buddy to finish.

[soloudinhere]

An extra half hour or an hour, sure.

But for a four hour volunteer shift? That’s not very kind to the horse, is it?

[joiedevie99]

@soloudinhere

An extra half hour or an hour, sure.

But for a four hour volunteer shift? That’s not very kind to the horse, is it?

Agreed. I won’t leave mine in the trailer unattended, or ask them to sit in the trailer unnecessarily, so I won’t be volunteering at a one-day show that I’m riding at. It’s much easier when you have stalls.

[lorilu]

So, is it true that in Europe judges are not paid? Is it true that you must belong to a riding club to compete? How were you involved in the European organizations ?
Have you organized recognized shows here in the US? What did you think of the costs? How did you save money for your competitors? Please share any secrets!!
And just how were/are you involved in USDF? IIRC, last time I read your views, you thought they were not worth your time. Are you on any committees? Do you attend the convention, and/or carry any votes for your GMO (you DO belong to a GMO, right?) or have you run for a Participating Member Delegate position to carry votes for the showing members?

SInce we don’t have info about your experience, please fill us in. I am sure you have useful ideas!!

[Manni01]

Actually not a post I am going to reply to and I guess you can figure why…

[lorilu]

It is NOT true that judging schooling shows results in stripping judges of their credentials. FEI does have such a rule for FEI judges - but USEF judges (Small r, R, and S) are not FEI judges. Additionally, USEF has said they will not push the issue for local schooling shows.