The Value of Volunteers

In order to become a USEF licensed judge, a candidate, such as myself, has to meet many requirements, including apprentice judging. Recently I scheduled an apprentice judging assignment for Western Dressage at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado. Travelling requires a lot of organizing for flights, car rental, hotel and having all the apprentice/judging paperwork and ”stuff.” Since I’m not from Colorado, I also needed assistance from the horse community to have a volunteer scribe. After communicating with show management staff, I realized I’d also be required to bring a second volunteer to help in the show office.

I contacted Bev Clemens, president of WDACO, and Gwen Ka’awaloa, president of RMDS, to help me find available volunteers. They each found me an AMAZING volunteer. I had Becky Schooff to help in the show office and Mary Jo Hoepner as my scribe.  Mary Jo’s scribe experience is well known, and after the first test Mary Jo was asked to become the “C” judge scribe.

The show manager was appreciative that Becky and Mary Jo were on hand, and I was able to do my apprentice work without any interference to the show. Not only that, but I had the best volunteers! They are both such nice, friendly, effective and conscientious women—it was truly a dream team.

If anyone ever has an opportunity to assist an apprentice judge, please consider it. Nothing ever happens in the horse show environment without volunteers. When Becky and Mary Jo agreed to assist me, it was a huge weight off my shoulders. I know that having Becky and Mary Jo on my team allowed me to prove myself to be the best judge possible.