# @clairecumbee on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CwtX91Hr2S9
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/73486875-clairecumbee-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/650a835372.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-03T00:07:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Claire Cumbee (@clairecumbee) — https://gondola.cc/clairecumbee

## Caption

Have you volunteered at a horse trial yet?
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I haven’t given as much time as I should have. But, while it’s very beneficial to give back to our sport; it’s also really beneficial to you as a competitor to see how the inner workings of a competition are run. 
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I normally get the Show Jump Gate or scribe, but today I helped in dressage warmup where I stood with FEI stewards, watched bit checks, conversations with riders on what was legal and illegal. (And there’s a radio where you might overhear the goods too) It also humanizes the stewards and volunteers, who can at sometime seem like the hammer that might eliminate you for breaking some hidden rule. I also added a few faces I can say “Hi” to at future shows, and befriending a FEI steward can’t be a bad thing.
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We had three rings running today from Advanced to Beginner Novice. It was a machine to know who was in the ring, how to make sure the next two riders in each were nearby and ready by their ride times.
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I received many questions over and over. Of course, if we were a few minutes ahead you can still wait on your ride time.  I probably don’t know how many riders out more than three in each ring, which brings me to the tips below.
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I took it as my job to make sure each rider knew when they were two riders out and forward, but when you enter the warmup ring it’s very helpful to know who is in front of you. As a rider, I keep an eye on them for if they go in, I’m ready to go in next. 
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It should really be on your rider education to volunteer for each element of a competition. Many volunteers are parents, local horse people, not necessarily persons competing in the sport! So, there’s really no prior-education required to sign up to volunteer!
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## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 418
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- **Comments:** 5

## Tags

horseshow, eventingaustralia, equestrianphotographer, goeventing, equestrainlife, horsegirl, eventinglive, horsegirlproblems, equestrian, eventingpony, eventingireland, horsegirlenergy, eventing, equestrianlife, eventingstyle, eventinghorses, horselife, britisheventing, horse, horsegirlsummer, equestrianstyle, eventingrider, horses

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