This week’s Eventing Championships are attracting the very best – and that includes volunteers.

In addition to the sheer quantity of volunteers, experience in key positions will help the nearly 400 horses and their riders have a safe and terrific competition experience.

Bernie Low is exactly that kind of volunteer. Over 23 years of helping at Galway Downs, she’s held virtually every position. She started out as a jump judge at the invitation of her friend, then-co-worker and fellow horse show mom, Jerri Lance.

Jerri has been volunteering even longer than Bernie and has served as volunteer coordinator for many years. Last year, Jerri asked Bernie to join the growing Galway Downs volunteer committee and she happily accepted.

An Early Test

Bernie’s dedication to the role survived an early litmus test. She was jump judging when Bernie and Ron Low’s daughter Kimberley and her pony approached on their Training Level cross-country ride. “I could see the pony was not behaving and, lo and behold, Kimberley fell off at a jump – she went backwards over a drop.

“The safety officer and the technical delegate came right over, along with the medics,” Bernie continues. “When someone told them that the jump judge happened to be the rider’s mother, you should have seen their eyes pop open!” A pre-teen at the time, Kimberley was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and wound up being completely fine.

“I still volunteered after that, but we had a rule that I would not be volunteering on course when she rode cross-country.”

Horses and volunteering continue to be a family affair. Kimberley rides as an adult, with trainer Taren Hoffos, and Ron Low continues to volunteer. He specializes in score running and standing by at the MD Barns volunteer basecamp to help however needed.

As part of the coordinating crew, monitoring the volunteer list as an event nears can be stressful.  That’s especially true when there’s competition on Thursday and Friday because the pool of volunteers is limited by work and/or school schedules. “Jerri always tells me it’s going to work out and it always does!” Bernie notes.

A Team Effort

She is grateful to share the coordinator role with Jerri and the rest of their capable team – Laura Jaeger, Karin Dewald and Dani Trinowski.

And she’s grateful to help lead a volunteer effort that’s evolving in scope and quality. COVID was a strain on already dwindling volunteer turn-out across the country, but Bernie feels that’s turning around now.

The Volunteer Incentive Program and its twice-a-year prize giving get-togethers exemplify Galway Downs’ continual efforts to improve the volunteer experience and spotlight their contributions. Along with vouchers for entries fees, the VIP program offers prizes that can be enjoyed by those who don’t ride or compete. Restaurant and lodging gift certificates and credits toward Galway Downs swag are all part of the generous prize catalog.

There’s also the reward of knowing you helped make the event possible.  “The vibe between riders and volunteers is generally good,” Bernie notes. “I’ve noticed over the years more and more people randomly saying ‘thank you.’”

Stewards, Starters & Scribes…Oh, My!

Some roles are easier to fill than others. Ring stewarding is a special skill, especially for the stadium and cross-country warm-up areas. “You’ve got to be very organized, keep everyone on time, and take it calmly. Riders aren’t rude, but they are stressed sometimes, so you’ve got to remain calm.”

Startbox timing is another challenging post. Longtime volunteer Mike Murray is the gold standard in this role, Bernie notes. “He can count a rider down the last 10 seconds and be talking to you at the same time. He doesn’t miss a thing!”

Dressage scribing is something many people eschew until they try it. “I usually find that once people have done it, they love it. They all say how much they learn. I once scribed for a 5* judge from England and it was awesome!”

Whatever role they’re in, volunteers can be assured of fun, friendships and knowing they’re critical to making the event safe and successful. That comes from the top. “Robert (Kellerhouse) is always thanking the volunteers!” Bernie reports of the event organizer.

“I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and what I love most is getting to know people,” Bernie notes. “Ron and I have gotten to know so many people, even though we only see them at shows.”