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What Volunteering Means
by Karen Tenenbaum
After three years of volunteering at the GHF Horse Trials, I can honestly say that here is one huge exception to that often-quoted soldier's credo, "Never volunteer." While it can be hard work, the rewards are many, not even counting the free parking, good coffee, food and refreshments.
My first trip to Groton House Farm started auspiciously enough, as I was to meet Hospitality co-chairs Stephanie Bright and Florence Le Goff at the GHF I party to get acclimated. Quite by accident, I parked where I was supposed to. Armed with a parking pass that said, "Official" on it, I still was amazed that anyone would think that this strange car with lots of yacht club stickers belonged to an actual official. Coming straight from a day of sailing, I was clad in shorts and docksiders with no socks. Big mistake. As the sun went down, the mosquitoes came out, and my feet had turned completely black with dirt. So that's why they all wear pants and boots, even when it is eight-five degrees outside. Live and learn.
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The following weekend was Show Time, otherwise known as GHF II. I had to arrive at the water jump with my sister, also a horse trial novice, at 10:00 a.m. to begin to fulfill my hospitality duties at the Patrons' Tent. I took the left where the police officer was directing traffic, ignorant of the special Patron/Sponsor entrance a quarter mile down the road. Oh, well. I smiled and nodded as I advanced into restricted territory, and parked pretty much where I had parked the week before. Only now, everything looked different, in the midst of the competition. Whistles were blowing, horses were galloping, and I kept hearing the now familiar refrain, "Horse on course!" To the equinely uneducated, it may seem treacherous, or at least confusing, but my sister Susan and I finally made the trek across the course. You know, those Spectator Hints are right on. The safest time to cross is just after a horse has passed. We panicked a bit, nonetheless, as we did not have the benefit of the World Wide Web that year. Florence could not believe we were
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Karen's Tips for Novice Volunteers
1. Know where you should park your car on arrival. You do not want to be driving all over the grounds, like I did last year during Dressage. Even better, carpool with another volunteer.
2. Bring sunscreen and wear sturdy shoes and socks. If you want to keep your white tennies from turning a deep earthen shade, don't wear them here. Sandals will NOT work. The shoe of choice appears to be hiking shoes or boots.
3. Bring bug spray, a change of clothes and perhaps a small flashlight for the nighttime activities on Saturday. It's a great party, and you don't want to be uncomfortable, or worse, miss it because you are unprepared.
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terrified, being the horse veteran she is. Stephanie was a bit more sympathetic. As soon as we arrived at the tent, we got organized, started to relax and be hospitable, especially to those wearing "Patron" and "Sponsor" pins. That's all there is to it, mostly. We did get to practice some team work skills by relocating a tent to the stadium jumping area, no small feat. We were so successful that the committee opted for a different arrangement for tent installation the following year. The next day featured Stadium Jumping. By volunteering, my mates and I had a prime view of the event, not to mention prime access to refreshments. All for assisting in setting up the bar and buffet lunch. I discovered first hand that you do not have to be an equestrian maven to appreciate being in the middle of two show rings, but if you are (even just in your own mind), it is heaven to the extreme. For me, it was a weekend of working with friends, being outdoors and learning about a once unfamiliar sport in the most pleasant way possible. Come to think of it, that's not too far from heaven, either. I'll be back.
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