– by Bob Ramsey –
Do you enjoy horses, and like to make a difference? Looking for engagement and fulfillment? Become a volunteer! Regardless if you have a horse or not, there’s a welcome spot for you at community shows, where you’re sure to get up close and meet new friends (both two and four-legged!). You’ll find opportunities with upcoming Peninsula shows in July and August, and other events you’ll read about later in the article!
One local member has grown from grassroots to the national stage, and was recently honoured by Equine Canada as 2013 Volunteer of the Year! While you see him volunteering at our Saanichton shows and Fair, his roots and vision go far beyond helping all breeds. Nanaimo’s Gerald McDonald has been involved in the promotion, development and support of breed sport in Canada for 45 years, and began volunteering at his local Arabian club in 1965. His efforts have spanned all levels from local to national and beyond, as he has generously donated time and energy to the AHA – the Arabian Horse Association, the breed’s governing body.
Starting in 1991, he served four years as Director of Region 17 – Western Canada’s chapter of AHA, helping increase breed competition and promotion. In 1995 he became Chair of the Canadian National Championship Arabian Horse Show, steering the event to a new and bigger home. He applied his skills and knowledge as Chair or member of several key AHA Committees, including Budget & Finance, to be recognized as the National Volunteer of the Year Award three times, and is the only two-time recipient of the AHA Presidents Award. An impressive model, on top of full-time work!
Gerald encourages involvement: “Volunteering at the local level is really the heart of what makes our shows viable. Without the many volunteers we have, none of it would be possible and we would not have an avenue to show and promote our horses. My local volunteering gave me the basis to help at first the regional and then national level. I can remember volunteering as early as my junior years at local open shows and rodeos at the then-active horse club in Nanaimo, which was formed and run by juniors. In my mind, it’s just something we should all do to help support each other in the sport and activity we are passionate about.”
Volunteers rock! While having fun, you can sharpen team building and leadership skills that translate into personal growth. There are unlimited avenues to hone skills, at all levels!
So get involved! Reward yourself! If you like to have fun helping, come enjoy all-breed open shows July 12th, and the Saanich Fair, Labour Day weekend, featuring a demo of Arabian horses in action, 4-H, and a mare that kids can actually “hand paint!” View details and contacts at www.viarabianhorse.com. Our Peninsula offers many other adventures, with great (even extreme) trails to ride, dressage shows, and excellent theraputic riding programs, too (www.vtra.ca).
Bob Ramsey is the Voice of the Saanich Fair horse show. He has announced regional and national shows, and bred and shown Arabian Horses for 35 years. He has written features about equine events for publications in Canada and the U.S., and can be reached at 250-544-0017.
