Volunteer Nation: 10 Events That Could Use a Helping Hand This Weekend

For every horse and rider competing at the Championship level, there’s a sideline full of folks playing important roles to make it all possible. Photo by Leslie Wylie at the 2016 AEC in Tryon.

The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds are fast approaching, and they’re in need of volunteers! The AEC takes place Aug. 31 – Sept. 5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and whether you are competing, spectating or supporting volunteering is a great way to see the action up close.

From the USEA:

Volunteers are needed starting as early as Saturday, August 28, and volunteers who sign up for these early days will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at a championship-level cross-country course designed by the Tokyo Olympic course designer Derek di Grazia. Di Grazia will design all cross-country courses at every level of the AEC.

The AEC volunteers will also be rewarded! Every AEC volunteer will receive a goodie bag which will include exclusive AEC volunteer apparel. In addition to the goodie bags, AEC volunteers will have the opportunity to be featured on the USEA website. After the AEC has concluded, the USEA will feature one special AEC volunteer in an article published on www.useventing.com and USEA social media. The volunteer will be selected at random, but the more days you volunteer, the higher your chances are of getting picked to be featured.

Do you only have time to volunteer for a morning or afternoon? AM and PM slots are available, making it easy and flexible for all AEC competitors to volunteer. Check out the AEC competition schedule here.

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

Events