Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities to volunteer may be available in:

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• Trails - Assist in helping mark, clear, and maintain the trails used for upcoming endurance rides and training rides. If you can hang a ribbon on a tree, or pull a tree branch off the trail -- you're in!
   

• P/R - Pulse and Respiration is the first step for the riders at all the vet checks. Job requires a watch, good ears, and the ability to count heartbeats - we will provide the stethoscope, great scenery, and wonderful staff to assist.
   

• Timers - In-gate and Out-gate Timers make sure the riders go out when their hold time is complete, and record when they come into the hold as well. The job only requires you to bring your own chair -- we'll provide the clipboard and pen!
   

• Vet Secretary (Scribe) - Assist the ride vets in recording horse information on the rider's card for each hold. Ride vets are the nicest in the world and you will learn things you never knew about how a horse handles the stress of distance riding. The job requires the ability to hold a clipboard, a big smile while forever asking spaced out riders for their rider card, and the desire to stick like glue to the assigned vet. We provide the clipboard, pens, super vets, and great riders.
   

• Station Heads - For those who aspire to the top -- here's a managerial role in overseeing the staff and running and organizing of the ride vet check. Requirements are a decent knowledge of ride protocol, enjoyment of overseeing a volunteer staff and professional vets, and a sense of humor. We provide the site, the layout, equipment, vets, and a great volunteer crew.
   

• Drag Riders and Traffic Control - Ensure the ultimate safety of riders and horses that are part of our competition. Drag riders bring up the rear of the competition and get to enjoy short segments of the trail at their leisure and their own pace. Our policy is to pair up drag riders with a like-minded companion, or a friend of their choice. Either way, it's a great way to train a young endurance horse, or enjoy some quality trail time with a favorite equine on wonderfully marked trails without the stress and rigors of competition.
   

• Riding Mentor - Help and encourage new riders to learn the proper ins-and-outs of endurance riding, including how to pace yourself on the trail, what to bring to the ride for horse and rider, and what to expect at base camp, on the trails, and in the vet checks.
   

• Lecturer - Give talks and lectures on various aspects of endurance riding that meet with any particular technical expertise you have to offer -- from shoeing and medical issues, to what to pack in a crew bag. If you love to talk, we'll put you up front with people who love to listen. Whatever you have to offer in the way of endurance advice, will find a ready audience!
   

• Organizer - Help develop and host clinics or training rides, or other endurance-related projects that help promote the Endurance sport.
   

• Helper - Setting up vet checks, assisting in the "on the ground" organization, and lending a helping hand where ever needed. You can often pick and choose the areas you would like to help -- we are always happy to accommodate our volunteers!
   

• Radio Team - Includes radio operators, logging assistants, and help with other communications tasks. Operators and their assistants are located in base camp, at all away vet checks, and at strategic points out on the course to track riders and relay communications. (Note -- some of the best views of our National Forests are from the radio operator positions at those strategic points out on trail!)
   

  • Radio operators use mobile, hand-held, and base station radios to establish a backbone network of licensed amateur radio communications to assist the Ride Manager with safety and administrative tasks. Radio operators also communicate with the drag rider and horse ambulance teams using other radio systems for which no license is needed, so even unlicensed radio operators have a welcome place on the team.
     

  • Logging assistants help the radio operators with paper logging while the operator is using the radio. Assistants may or may not be licensed amateur radio operators.
     

• Ambulance Driver - You MUST know the routes from vet check to base camp.
   

• Gate Guard - This position is specific to: The Old Dominion June Ride.
   

• Parking Logistics - Needed for each vet check. This position is specific to: The Old Dominion Ride.
   

• Food Prep / Base Camp Support - This position is specific to: The Old Dominion Ride.
   

• Spotter - This position is specific to: July Ride & Tie. Due to not having Vet Checks, Spotters are our way of confirming everyone is still making their way through the ride. Writing down numbers of all who pass through while handing out water/refreshments.