This Shadow Experience opportunity is for those volunteers in training to serve as an Equestrian Arena Assistant. You will be partnered with a qualified and experienced Staff Lead during this shadow experience to observe, learn, and practice the required skills.
Equestrian Arena Assistant volunteers assist staff in conducting lessons and camps at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. These volunteers are the eyes, ears, hands and heart that ensure each participant has a fun, safe, and engaging experience. These volunteers train and qualify as Barn Aides before training to become an Equestrian Arena Assistant.
Impact
Arena Assistant Volunteers ensure a fun, safe experience riding lesson experience providing a connection to nature through high-quality equine programming.
Tasks
- Retrieve horses from stalls or paddocks and lead to cross ties.
- Assist with grooming and tacking
- Help with checking tack, getting riders mounted, and adjusting stirrups
- Assist with aiding and maintaining safe spacing between the horses during the lesson
- Keep an eye on safety issues throughout the lesson.
Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Long-Term, Short-Term and Youth volunteers ages 14 and up who are currently in training to qualify as Equestrian Arena Assistants.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 14 and up an eligible background check), plus Barn Aide and Equestrian Arena Assistant Volunteer training. Simply click the blue RESPOND completing the required qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Meet the staff near the barn office.
- Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last-minute or are running late, please call the Riding Center office cell phone number at #937-689-6939.
- Environment & Physical Demands: Volunteers should expect to work in outside weather conditions, year-round in a typical ban environment with exposure to cat and horse dander, dust, hay, and other environmental allergens.
- If you would like to request a service accommodation in order to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity.
- Dress: Please wear your volunteer name badge and volunteer apparel if you have it to make yourself easy to identify as a volunteer.
See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.
