ANGELS IN THE BARN

I believe in Angels!  I know, that when single women reach a certain age, who also have a few pets and then who also state that they believe in Angels, we sometimes set aside a label or two or perhaps we keep a tight white jacket nearby... you know, just in case.  Shhh...  there are Angels about and many of mine are found in barns. You see, I've seen them.

15 year old me

A Facebook friend posted a picture of teenage me showing, in hand, my first love Hank.  That picture sent a ripple of memories coursing through my body.  The kindness and generosity of her mother, Mrs W, saved my life.  She gave me my dream and fueled a lifetime of gratitude and a commitment to "pay it forward" to lost little girls with a deep hunger for horses. 

My parents had little money and thought that riding was an expensive sport.  They did everything to discourage me.  It wasn't done to be cruel but more to protect me from hurt and disappointment.   My passion and longing was so strong that I felt real pain and loss at my horseless self in our 4-H Club.

Pat Star Hank

I wish I could tell you that I handled my hunger well and maybe I mostly did.  Often I was consumed with envy and sadness that I had nothing and "everyone" else had "everything".  I'm not sure how or why it happened, Mrs W offered/allowed me to ride and show Hank.  She opened a world and gave me a gift so precious that throughout my adult life, I've tried to pay back.

When it comes to horses, everything I do and everything I try to do, Mrs W is the Angel attached to the memories that guided and showed me what kindness and humanity is all about. It is why I shared Sugar and now, Maisy with so many.  It's why I volunteer so much, donate money and time to organizations that help kids of all ages.

And, when I see an Angel - the young trainer who puts her kids first, who networks so the poorer students have the same experience as the more afluent or the other Mrs W's in the world that ask for so little and give so much, I feel a need to tell them that they are making the world a better place. 

One of my favorite books is "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom.  It'sone of those odd books that grabs you by the heart and engages your mind.  It's about a man who believes he lived a failed life.  When he dies, he meets 5 people who, in some way, were changed because of him.  On his way to Heaven, they tell him their stories - some simple and always profound.  Read it 'cause it's a good one.

And when you're done, know that everything you do (and say) affects someone.  And if you're one of those Angels, know really know, that your touch goes deeply and profoundly. 

Sending love and thanks to the real Mrs W and all those who embody her spirit!

VOLUNTEER GAMES

No matter what discipline, every organizer agonizes over how to attract and retain their volunteers.  Without volunteers, no event is possible. 

{{{And, if you've never volunteered before, please dear god, do not complain about how a show is run or even, make suggestions on how to make it better for the participants.  And just once in your life, show up the day before an Event and ask them if they need a hand.  Trust me, you'll never complain again.}}}

Course Brook Horse Trials was Newbie Event Rider's first (and hopefully not last) volunteer stint.  "Come on, it is so much fun", I told her!  It was 47 degrees and raining.  Despite wearing a rain coat, hat, three layers of fleece, ski pants and waterproof insulated boots, I left my post jump judging at Course Brook Horse Trials shivering, soaking wet, and chilled to the bone. 

You know the kind of chill where it takes another 5 hours of deep therapy - hot shower, dry clothes, hot food, hot steaming tea and two very warm pooches to finally warm up.   I can only imagine Newbie Event Rider's excitement at volunteering the next time (maybe a plague of locus?).

{{{Pretty sure I could have used deep therapy for other reasons, like understanding why I spent 6 hours outside in the rain watching folks leaping over jumps.}}}

How do you attract and retain volunteers? 

Well, Course Brook Farm provided each volunteer with a lovely gift bag, a nice lunch and, when we thought we were going to die from hyperthermia  (yes, Newbie Event Rider, I will use this word again and again), they delivered hot chocolate and coffee out to our fence. 


{{{Angels arriving in a gator... best sight ever!}}}

What else?  Did I mention that we were cold, wet and suffering from hyperthermia (that word again)?

Hmmm, how about a Fence Judge's Drinking Game?  Ok...  what would that look like?  So we set out with a simple Jump Judge's Chug-a-lug.  At your jump only (or it could be a very short game):

Used with permission
www.flatlandsfoto.com
 

• One shot for every "Good Boy/Girl" (and please hope that the Beginner Novice Division is small)
• One shot for every long spot (really hope that the Prelim folks are not contenders)
• Two shots every time a rider makes a fence judge gasp (could be any fence judge)
• Chug-a-lug for every "Good Boy/Girl" after just having done a flyer at your jump

For those of you who have never fence judged, this might seem to be a light weight game...  Right!  Don't actually try this, the day could be awfully short and the EMTs might be carrying you out!

{{{Shhhh, I'm actually not a drinker but it was fun to figure out a game where, if played, a person could last the day...  all depends on the BN Good Girl/Boy levels.}}}

GOING UPTA CAMP!

Picture this...  It's 5:30am and the sun is starting to rise over Vermont's Green Mountains.  I grab a quick cup of coffee and set off down to the barns.  Da Boys are trotting next to me eager for the day's adventure.  Sugar greets me with a welcoming nicker knowing that we are going to watch the sunrise on our morning hack.

Later, after my second cup of steaming joe and a light breakfast, I head back to the barns to greet the arriving campers.  "Good morning children!  It's going to be a great day!"  Everyone scurries about joyfully taking care of their ponies and loving all the work to keep them well! 

The day just keeps getting better.  The sun is warm, the air is dry and the kids are off to their first mounted lesson.  I prepare for my class on grooming to win, preparing for the jog or perhaps equine first aid.  I finish the day with another great ride on a happy horse with da boys trailing about enjoying a dip or two in the stream.

Further north in VT but beautiful
much like GMHA

This fantasy sustains me!  For 12 days (7 work days), I will be in the land of no cell reception and little to no wifi = no work access at all!  And, just before I get lost in that dream, it occurs to me that, for the most part, I have a sedentary job accented by the physical nature of riding and walking the dogs.  I am so afraid that by Day Three, the Jersey Girl is going to surface and "Good morning children!"  might get a little... well, dark.

What I'll look like at the
end of the day!

Shhhh, I can not wait!  I've been a Girl Scout Leader, a basketball coach for 10 - 13 year olds.  I love it...  I love working with kids.  And, to be working with kids with their horses AND having mine there too is a priceless gift...  need I say, a dream come true! 

And, I would not be me if I didn't confess that I am a little worried.  What if I hate it?  What if the kids hate me?  What if I'm so exhausted that I don't want to ride Sugar or walk da boys?  What if I can't get coffee?  What if...

You know, I recognize that it's my nature...  Just like when I enter the ring, when I get to GMHA that first day, I will not only be ok, but I will have the time of my life!

Let the games begin!

CALL ME FENCE JUDGE!

Dear Horse Trial Participant,

I am your Fence Judge.  You don't know me but I sit in a chair all day carefully watching each trip across my designated domain.  I am that nameless, sometimes faceless person volunteering so that you can have the ride of your life.  Treat me well...  For without me, the Event does not run...

It's 6am... that's volunteering at
Groton House Farm 2012

I, generally, ask for nothing in return... and, sometimes when its too cold, wet, hot or buggy, I find myself wondering why I just spent my Saturday making sure you present yourself correctly at my jump and left the area happy and healthy.

Yeah that happens, yet most of the time, I leave tired, sunburnt and maybe just a bit chapped and dry with a big smile on my face 'cause I had good day watching, participating and loving the fun of a well run Horse Trial...

And, for as many of us that are Eventers doing our version of Community Service, I may be a friend of a friend of a rider who once 8 years ago said, "Sure, that sounds fun".  I never realized how that one feeble yes turned into a passion that keeps me coming back year after year.

GHF Novice Fence 3
Go left around the tree, ok?

So when you walk your course - trainer, rider, young, older, family member - a quick glance in my direction, a smile of recognition and although, not really necessary, a thank you goes a long way to help me feel like my service means something to you.

And, when you talk to me and ask me how the jump is riding, rain turns into sun and the world is full of rainbows and rose petals at my feet. I belong and you see me as a part of the team.

I love your enthusiasm...  your cheers of "Good Girl!" as you both hit the ground running.  Sometimes you may hear my own as you gallop off across the field!  I watch your eyes - keen and focused forward, your horse's ears pricked occasionally flicked backwards listening to you and eager to go.  So beautiful, so powerful...  teamwork and joy...  

The view from our post
GHF Training #18

And when you stop or run out, it leaves me sad 'cause I know how hard you trained to get there right in front of me and I know how far you need to go.  You may not know this but we are cheering you on...  I want you to win!  And, most of all I want you to be able to tell your story to everyone on Monday (Eventing Rule #4)  I want my jump to be easy...

I am your Fence Judge - Treat me well!  And, maybe, one day you'll come and join me too!

COME ONE ... COME ALL!

Not Christmas...  the Area 1
Annual Meeting

It's that time of the year again... no, not just the "Holidays" but the time of year where every organization wants YOU to attend their Annual Meeting.  And, there are all sorts of ways they might entice you...  raffles, door prizes ...  maybe even quirky entertainment.  Every volunteer organization needs members to be active and enthused in order to thrive...  so if quirky gets you there...  quirky it is!  ;)

YOUR local Eventing Association - USEA Area 1 - is just like all the others...  but BETTER!   So here it comes....  That's right!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE USEA AREA 1 ANNUAL MEETING!

When:           Sunday, January 15, 2012  -  Noon - 4pm (Organizers meet from 10am-Noon)
Where:          Clarion Hotel and Conference Center - 1080 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089  413-781-8750
How much:    $20 if you register before 12/31/11 and $25 at the door.

Now, I can't promise quirky and, truthfully, I think Eventers need more substance than gimics and tricks to entice.  We're more than that... so..  The Agenda is chock full of the things that make Area 1 work, let's see..

Don't be caught snoozin'...  it can
be a blast!

Well first off we have a buffet lunch (food works for most of us) and the Area 1 Awards Presentation (who does not like to collect ribbons?).  Then we get news and headlines from the various Committees (Area Chair, Adult Riders, Young Riders, etc) helping make 2012 a smashing success!  Of course, let's not forget our esteemed Guest Speaker, Peter Gray.

From his website (http://www.wentworthfarm.com/), Peter Gray is a noted trainer, rider and popular clinician in Eventing, Dressage and Equitation world-wide. As a competitor Peter has competed at most international events in Europe and North America including three Olympic Games, World Championships and is a Pan Am individual bronze medalist. Besides his notoriety in the event world, Peter also competes on the winter circuit in hunter and jumpers and is long listed with the Canadian National Dressage team for 2010.  His all-round experience as a competitor has seated him on many committees including the F.E.I. 3 day Event Committee, EC High Performance, Safety, Selection, Coaching committees, USEA Professional Rider Council and ICP, and is co-founder of Equiventures - organizers of horse trials at the Florida Horse Park. Peter is the current Young Rider 3 Day Event coach for Ontario.

So we have food, prizes and substance...  what more could you want at the USEA Area 1 Annual Meeting?  (Drink is, of course, subject to the limitations of our diverse environment - non-alcoholic, of course.)...  Shopping...  yes!  And folks...  that means one absolutely fabulous Silent Auction! 

Fame & Frolic winning 2009 Groton House Farm's
Preliminary Training Division, Stephie Baer, rider
(last time Sugar completed GHF despite 2 winning
entries from the Silent Auction)

We're competitors, right?  And we compete in a dangerous sport, right?  Some may say it's a bit extreme...  Picture yourself at a Silent Auction with 100 of your fellow eventers...  and you're swirling around the table of items...  wanting that Entry to Groton House Farm or maybe, its a GMHA event or even two tickets to the Bruins.  You want it and so does 6 others stalking the table...   You can taste victory and waiting until 3 to claim it heightens the thrill...   YES!  The Silent Auction rocks... 

Although, I've been warned by many of my friends and family that I can not bid on the Groton House Entry, I still may put up some stiff competition.  And for those of you who read my blog...  you know why...  but, I just can't help but to think that three's a charm!

Come on... register!  Make a commitment to get involved...  Eventing is a great place to meet fabulous horse folk.  And, we can't event without the USEA and our own Area 1!  Or, just do it for the fabulous prizes and the esteemed Peter Gray...  Like the famous tag line...  JUST DO IT!

SO, YOU THINK YOU UNDERSTAND...

The List just kept getting bigger

I am that person who fills out comment cards, completes satisfaction surveys and submits evaluation forms.  I value my opinion that highly...  Oh, no...  what I really mean is that I think people/organizations who want feed back should get them...  {{{phew... that was more politically correct...}}}

So, for the most part, if you were to collect all of my Event Evaluations...  you will find pretty clear, concise comments and suggestions. 

And, for the most part, I judge my overall satisfaction (after scoring) on the placement of the Port-o-Potties.  You see, I am a...  um...  well... middle-aged (yes, I am) female and if you consider that AND the fact that...  um...  I get ...  um...  nervous...  you will truly understand the importance of such placement and its correlation to satisfaction.

I generally don't nit pick because I "truly understand" the challenges of putting together a horse trial and the fact that we need more Events and not less.  Eventing Rule #5 perhaps?  Don't piss off the Organizer?

More cowbell...
we need more cowbell!

Yes... before Friday...  I TRULY UNDERSTOOD the challenges of putting together a Horse Trial!  Of course I did, I went to the Area 1 Annual Meetings every year.  I volunteered at Events...  jump judging, parking, ring steward...  whatever they needed I made myself available.  I could see the intensity, the folks moving about and making things work... these people were intense.  I UNDERSTOOD.

Uh... not even a clue and I couldn't even fathom how much work these folks put in to give us our day's pleasure.  Not even close...

It was my idea to tie
 cornstalks in a bow
(just sayin')

Course Brook Horse Trials Second Annual Horse Trials completed yesterday.  I volunteered the day before...  and I am still wowed at how little I knew and how much I assumed.  And, the Organizers are three woman - Nici, Laura and Erika - eventers...  not farm owners, not rich benefactors, just riders who board and work at this beautiful farm who saw the possibility and made it happen.  (I wanted to title this...  The Little Engine that Could.)  These folks are us... volunteers but the grand poopahs of volunteering.

Me?  I rode in the gator.  I helped decorate and put the final touches on the jumps after the TD and Pres of the Ground Jury made recommendations.  And if you got lost going from parking to the dressage rings or stadium, blame me!  I helped with the signage.  And seriously, if you walked XC two or three times and still needed two arrows pointing to the start, well...  survival of the fittest if you know what I mean.

I guess the three things that came out of the ride in that gator (other than indulging in my love for all things golf-cart-like) were:

• Answer to nagging question # 1 - Is the Event a money maker?  No.  The first year they had to upgrade rings, footing and enhance all the jumping phases.  They are hoping that they make just a little this second year.
• Nagging question #2 (after watching the team run themselves ragged on just this day before) - Do you get paid?  NO! 
• And this last statement uttered from my lips is the most important -- "Next year...  I'll be part of your team of Organizers from the very start."  {{{What was I thinking?}}}

You know...  I don't know where they placed the Port-o-Potties...  I guess the trailer and a box of tissues will just have to be OK...  {{{Horse girls are feral, you know!}}}

Our masterful decorating... 
Lauren's pumpkin placement
and my randomness! 
Gotta excel at something!

Note - Janet was the Volunteer coordinator and she was spot on perfect in making sure you showed up. And, a huge shout-out to my girl Elyse for driving her Prelim-riding-self two hours east to jump judge...  that's commitment!