Checks every competitor’s bit for legality, also checks spur and whip length, tightness of the noseband, and ear bonnets for illegal soundproofing. This is not an entry level position. The bit checker must know the current USEA regulations on which bits and spurs are legal, and there are very many legal ones, and very many more illegal ones. Must be able to track horses on a clipboard. This is an outdoor position.
For current shows, we will be doing visual checks of the bit, whip, spurs, and other equipment.
Collects dressage score sheets and brings them to the office. This is an easy outdoor job that only requires knowing how not to interfere with a dressage test in progress. Suitable for young teens or mature children.
Writes down scores and comments made by the dressage judge during a dressage test. Before the test, makes sure that the correct score sheet is being used – that it matches the horse’s bridle number. Must be able to write quickly and clearly in small boxes on the score sheet. Small, legible handwriting is a godsend.
Manages the dressage warm-up area. Often there is more than one competition ring, so makes sure that competitors know when they’re close to their starting time and gets them out of warm up and to their dressage ring on time. Often needs a loud, firm voice to be heard by competitors. Works out of doors and tracks competitor numbers on a clipboard.
Regulate the flow of competitors into and out of the show jumping course and the cross-country course.
Helps setting up courses and reset fallen poles. Also may need to rake footing and fill in holes. Lifting is required, but not more than 15 pounds. Entry level position, multiple people needed.
While assisting the Show Jumping judge, records jumping efforts and penalties on a score sheet while the competitor is on course. At direction of judge, records the time and any time penalties after the competitor finishes. Must be able to use a hand held radio and record results on a clipboard. Often works out of doors.
Times each competitor on the Show Jumping course. Able to use a stopwatch proficiently. Works often out of doors and gives the time to the show jumping judge and scribe.
Manages the warm-up area for Show Jumping and Cross-Country. Makes sure that competitors know when they’re close to their starting time and gets them out of warm-up and to the in-gate steward on time. Often needs a loud, firm voice to be heard by competitors.
Records the time the competitor crosses the finish line on the cross-country course.
Judges riders over the cross-country fences. Watch the full set of Jump Judge Instructional Videos on the USEA website.
Collects XC Jump Judge scoring sheets and brings them to the scorers. Needs to be able to learn the course from a map and drive a golf cart or mule in any weather without causing damage to the grounds. Often also needs to bring water to jump judges while efficiently picking up sheets and getting them to the scorers as fast as possible without disturbing horses, competitors, or spectators.
Manages the start of cross-country and records the start time for each competitor on the cross-country course. Competitors are allowed to circle around outside of the start box until you give them the ten second countdown.