#CavalierVolunteer - Behind the Scenes with Annie & Thistleberry

Our #CavalierVolunteer campaign is going down fantastically this Summer with lots of very happy volunteers spending their "thank you" vouchers. We caught up with serial volunteer Annie, and her little tartan-clad friend, who is one of our absolute favourites to see out on the volunteer circuit - she tells us how she got into volunteering and gives some invaluable advice to first-time volunteers.

1. What encouraged you to sign up for your first day of volunteering?

Having been working in the equestrian sector after leaving school (I am a BHS Instructor) and running my own teaching/livery yard, I suddenly found myself unable to continue to do this due to an extremely bad car crash which left me in a back brace for 24 months and the doctors words of 'do NOT ride again as your spine won't take it' ringing in my ears. So, I left the equestrian scene heartbroken that I couldn't do what I loved. I took a complete change of career which took me abroad and away from anything equestrian. However, upon returning to the UK, I decided to volunteer with the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) organisation as a volunteer coach which allowed me to tip my toes back into the equestrian scene and utilise my coaching skillset. I also then decided to assist with British Eventing at Horse Trials as a lot is going on to keep everyone busy, doing anything from the infamous 'bun run' to Fence Judging/Start Team etc. This then led to my being asked to help out at FEI events up to and including 5* and FEI World Games. Now that I am retired from work, I spend my time up and down the UK and across the world helping out at BE/FEI events when I can. I also volunteer at Olympia, Hickstead and the Olympics, with Olympia being nothing short of a party in that arena for the whole week!

2. What is your favourite volunteer "job"?

My favourite job is difficult to pin down as I truly enjoy them all and I have done a diverse range. However, it is nice to be in the Start Box or in a collecting ring at BE/FEI events as you get a closer relationship with riders as they are coming through, and can gently calm the nervous one at BE and encourage the ones who are more experienced or professionals in BE/FEI.

3. Best memory while volunteering?

Best memories are more difficult; best memories of RDA are seeing riders truly enjoying themselves even if they are only sitting on a horse sedately plodding along; the joy that riders receive from being near or on a horse is truly heartwarming to witness.
The best memories from BE are probably related to seeing riders from 80T leaving a collecting ring ready to vomit and hearing them come home whopping and hollering with sheer delight. One lady at a Scottish BE 80T venue was so nervous in the collecting ring I thought she was going to pass out, but when she came home over the finish line she was so loud and excited, and so were her family, it was great to see. However, in that excitement, she jumped off her horse and then had to pay to get her air jacket reinflated! The takeaway of the day - undo air jacket before dismounting, doh!!!

4. I believe you are going somewhere very exciting with volunteering later this year - can you tell us a bit about that?

I am indeed! I have been asked to work at the Australian International 5* 3 Day Event in Adelaide this coming November. Alongside my Fence Judging role, I have been asked to be part of the set-up team getting the event ready for the ten days leading up to the start of the action. Having lived in New Zealand twice, it doesn't take much to get me back 'down under', but an invite to work at a 5* always gets my attention as its an opportunity to see the best of the best doing what they do up close and personally - and there are usually some fantastic parties! I will be making sure I am fully equipped for the heat in Adelaide by filling my suitcase with Apt Cavalier clothing so get your supplies in and let's get Apt Cavalier out and about in Aus all the way from Scotland.

 

5 . Your best piece of advice for a first time volunteer?

My advice for anyone thinking about volunteering is 'JUST DO IT'!

Events are friendly places and we will all go out of our way to welcome you and make sure you are looked after. BE also run training evenings at the start of the BE Season which are free to everyone, to let you come along and have a look at some of the roles and meet up with people. It can be daunting to think about coming to a BE and think that you won't know anyone, or know what you are doing, but after 2 minutes you will feel like you've always known people there and you will never be overtasked in a role until you are comfortable and confident in what you are doing. JUST DO IT!!