There’s a lot to like about the eventing community.
Volunteer Suzy Edwards knew that first as a parent. Her daughter, Jenna Edwards, dabbled in other disciplines before locking into eventing. “I was so happy when she chose eventing because it’s a great choice for a teenage girl,” Suzy reflects. “It’s a great environment, very supportive and with a priority that you get out there and do your best. There are fantastic role models to be around, too.”
Plus, Jenna’s eventing path led Suzy into volunteering. Even as a youngster, Jenna had that classic eventer trait of independence. She didn’t need a lot of help from her mom at the competitions. Happily, Suzy had the ideal volunteer trait of being happiest while “staying super busy.”
Through the 95 hours she volunteered last year, during four competitions, Suzy most enjoyed ring stewarding because it’s busy. “I like the fast pace, so it’s a good position for me even if it can be a bit nerve wracking.”
Being up close and personal with the competitors is a bonus of ring stewarding, Suzy says. “Often at the international shows, it’s some of the best riders in the world and you get a chance to watch their different training styles and really get to know them.”
Loving It At All Levels
It’s equally fun, for different reasons, at the sport’s entry levels. “Stewarding for the Starter and Beginner Novice rings is always the most challenging because they have less experience. We always try to make it positive while helping them get to the ring on time.
“As a volunteer, you know immediately when it’s somebody’s first show,” Suzy continues. “I want to be patient, answer their questions and reassure them.” In every interaction with new contenders, Suzy hopes she’s nudging them toward a lifelong commitment to the sport.
She enjoys the different vibes at Galway Downs’ big international shows and the more low-key Horse Trials. “The international shows are always the longest hours that we put in. They are massive and the FEI divisions are great because there are more officials and rules involved. There’s a reason for that – if a rider misses their time, they could get eliminated. That’s a lot of stress. The Horse Trials are a little bit more casual and I’m probably happiest at those.”
“The biggest thing for me is that I like the ring to run on time,” the veteran volunteer states. “That keeps everybody on schedule and the trainers who ride multiple horses are especially happy with that. As soon as things start running behind, it gets a lot more challenging with more time conflicts for everybody.” There are inevitable delays – rider falls or weather issues, for example, but Suzy takes pride in controlling the controllable aspects of show ring schedules.
Seeing Kids Become Stars
In volunteering for 9 or 10 years, Suzy has seen the evolution of several young riders who rode alongside her daughter back in their pony days. “Some of them are bringing up and developing their own horses and that’s super exciting to watch them go up the levels and progress in the sport.”
Suzy fondly recalls her days as a new eventing mom. “Jenna started on a pony that was pretty hot and who got the most nervous during dressage. So that was always the most difficult phase for me to watch.”
Jenna now works for eventing professional Chloe Smyth and is looking for her next horse to bring up the ranks. Suzy appreciates being able to give her Volunteer Incentive Program vouchers to Jenna to use toward entry fees or schooling rounds in between shows. And, she’s always been grateful to a volunteer team that accommodates her requests for breaks when Jenna is competing. Having enough volunteers to cover these situations is one reflection of the Galway team’s seasoned, smooth approach to their challenging and critical task.
Suzy volunteers alongside a full-time job as a transportation planner for Lennox Air Conditioning. The company recently started recognizing employees who volunteer in their community and offering an extra day off in appreciation. At 95 hours in 2023, Suzy volunteered the equivalent of almost 12 working days, typically working every day of Galway Downs’ three and four-day competitions. Weekday volunteer shifts are often the toughest to fill because people are working, so these are especially appreciated.
Friendships with fellow volunteers and horse people are a bonus of time invested, Suzy says. And so is the pleasure of introducing non-horsey friends to the sport. “I have a couple of friends who just wanted to be involved. They came and volunteered and were in heaven. They were just in awe of the horses.”
“The biggest reason people don’t volunteer, I think, is because they think they won’t be able to do it,” Suzy asserts. “But they’re not kidding when they say ‘No experience needed.’ The Galway Downs team excels in getting somebody to work alongside a new volunteer and in finding positions that suit each person’s personality type.”
Come on out and join the fun! For more information on becoming a Galway Downs volunteer, visit here.