At 175.25 hours, Mickey Sanchez topped Galway Downs’ 2023 volunteer leaderboard. That’s no surprise for regular competitors who saw Mickey’s smiling face at six competitions last year and at many events for the six years before that.
Volunteering here and at Twin Rivers, Mickey also topped the standings for the US Eventing Association’s Area VI. On the organization’s 2023 national rankings, Mickey is the highest-placed California resident at 31st on the list.
Wow!
Not that Mickey’s keeping track. He was introduced to eventing through his equestrian sister Selena Sanchez. Even though she’s not competing currently due to being in college, he was happy to spend the equivalent of 4.5 working days volunteering this year because he loves it.
He started out “doing anything they needed me to do.” Which meant stewarding warm-up rings, scribing, helping in hospitality and anywhere else. Most often these days, Mickey finds himself assigned to hospitality tasks and loves it. Cruising cross-country or the rest of the grounds in search of volunteers who need water or lunch is a frequent assignment.
“I like going around to make sure everyone is taken care of,” says Mickey, who lives in the Corona/Norco area about 45 minutes from Galway Downs. “We always want to make sure our volunteers are up and running.”
Friends In Fun Places
Over the years, his volunteer work has led to many friendships – with fellow volunteers and with riders. He’s good friends with Galway Downs competitor and sponsor and vendor coordinator, Katy Robinson, and with the Carabajal Eventing family whose members are also regular and longtime volunteers.
As part of Galway Downs Volunteer Incentive Program, Mickey’s hours entitle him to an enticing array of prizes. Rather than cash them in for a cool cap, shirt or jacket for himself, Mickey uses his credits to get entry vouchers for the Carabajal team. When his sister returns to riding, she’ll have some credits ready to use, too.
A trail rider himself, Mickey is happy to leave the galloping and jumping to the exhibitors. As a volunteer, he enjoys the front row seat to terrific equestrian sport, often involving some of the best in the world – like last year’s Land Rover Kentucky winner Tamie Smith.
He encourages everyone to try volunteering, even those who are hesitant about what the experience will be like.
“Just try it,” he says. “You’ll be surprised how much you love it.”