Volunteering
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH SMHJA?
Volunteering with SMHJA makes a difference through individual acts of service and connecting as a community. It is the very foundation of the SMHJA. When you volunteer to help your friends and fellow riders you are enabling them to safely enjoy a horse show or activity and to grow their skills and move forward in future riding endeavors. Volunteering contributes to a larger purpose and makes a valuable difference in the lives of others as well as your own.
YEAR-END VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Riders and members who would like to be eligible to receive year-end awards, recognition, or scholarships must complete a minimum of 3 hours. These hours can be accrued throughout the year by taking part in various activities.
Volunteer at SMHJA Shows or Approved Clinics
Secure Corporate or Directory Sponsorship Packages before March 31st
Secure Division or Social Media Sponsorships all year long
Buyout SMJHA Volunteer Hours
Volunteer Hours at Shows or Clinics
Show your support by volunteering your time at SMHJA approved shows and clinics. Review the full list of volunteer positions and opportunities below to see how your skills can make a difference at each show/clinic. Each hour you volunteer is an hour earned, but an endless difference made in each event’s success. All volunteer hours must be submitted within two weeks of the last SMHJA show.
Sponsorship Volunteer Hours
Money raised through sponsorships helps to support SMHJA operational costs, provide special horse show classes and events, fund scholarships, and recognize member achievements with an annual Awards Banquet. Every $50 raised through sponsorship is equal to one volunteer hour. Corporate Sponsorships and Member Directory Sponsorships must be submitted by March 31st. Division Sponsorships and Social Media Sponsorships may be submitted throughout the show season.
SPONSORSHIP VOLUNTEER HOURS ARE NOT ELEGIBLE FOR THE YEAR END VOLUNTEER AWARD
Buyout Volunteer Hours
Buyout volunteer hours for $50/per hour if purchased before the first SMHJA show
After the first show, buyout volunteer hours for $100/per hour if purchased before July 1st
After July 1st, buyout volunteer hours for $150/per hour if purchased before September 1st
BUYOUT VOLUNTEER HOURS ARE NOT ELEGIBLE FOR THE YEAR END VOLUNTEER AWARD
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Each SMHJA approved show and clinic requires the support of volunteer staff. Each event may require different volunteer activities. Below are common volunteer positions that help ensure events run smoothly. Volunteer positions are often supported in shifts by members, riders, family, and friends. Watch the SMHJA website and social media for fun volunteer position learning opportunities.
Set Up
Set up volunteers will need to be available before the start of a show/clinic to assist the host in setting up tables, the judges’ area, secretary area, and other stations.
Show Secretary
Show secretary volunteers will be positioned at an entry point with a table to assist with:
Checking in competitors and verifying they are entered in the correct classes, have a liability form on file, have paid the appropriate fees, and provide copies of any necessary/requested paperwork such as show bills or class times.
Handle class add on’s/scratches
Record class placings to support ribbons volunteers
Announcer
The show announcer is the voice of the show. The show announcer will assist with:
Announcing the start of the show and name of the show judge
Announce the division name, number, and sponsor
Announce rider number, rider name, and horse name
Announce judges instructions for divisions
Announce placings, times, and scores
Announce special instructions and update for show host
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper volunteers will be positioned at the entry/exit gate(s) to support entry and exit from the arena. Gatekeeper volunteers are also responsible for communication of rider number, rider name, and horse name to the show announcer.
Jump Crew
Jump crew volunteers are responsible for setting jumps for each division, adding gates for fillers, and resetting poles that have fallen or been knocked over. Jump crew volunteers will help with setting up jumps prior to the show/clinic, throughout the show/clinic, and tearing down jumps at the end of the show/clinic.
Ribbon Crew
Ribbon crew volunteers will coordinate with the show secretary to assist with handing out ribbons for each division as they are approved.
Tear Down
Tear down volunteers will need to be available after the show/clinic to assist the show manager in tearing down tables, the judges’ area, secretary area, and other stations. Tear down volunteers may also help show hosts with clean up and organization of show materials as needed.
General Support
General support volunteers are responsible for many activities including supporting other volunteers and hosts as needed through shows and clinics.
HOW ARE VOLUNTEER HOURS GRANTED
Riders and members must complete documentation of volunteer activities to be submitted to the SMHJA board of directors before the defined deadlines. Documents will be reviewed and verified, and a confirmation of approval will be sent through email.
