Be nice to your stewards - they are there to help everyone
We thought it was time we took a look at eventing from the ‘Yellow coats’ point of view – yes the often put down, moaned about FEI Stewards and for that matter Stewards in general. We wanted to know why they put they put their hand up to do the job so we contacted Chris Wallace, who has been the steward general for eventing in Australia since 2008, and asked for her help.
To get us started here is Chris’s ‘diary’ from Melbourne 2010, which gives an insight into a Steward's life at a three day event and as you will see a steward doesn't have a lot of spare time on their hands at an event!
STEWARDS DIARY MELBOURNE THREE DAY EVENT 2010
WEDNESDAY
Arrive 10am, notify secretary, welcome etc
Assist with first horse examination and familiarise with stable layout.
Organise and print off practise ring timetables and establish if there are any Werribee Park rules which riders need to be aware of e.g dogs etc. Pin to noticeboards x 3.
Need another noticeboard in stable area – organise.
Arrange relief for horse examination stewards and refreshments for the team , vets etc.
Find competitor using Show Jumps without a steward present or being made aware that a rider wished to SJ on the Wednesday. Finished by the time I get to the arena so drop rails and put cups away and shut the gates.
Steward Dressage practice arenas with other steward who is available.
5.30pm Set up caravan accommodation and meet up with stewards who have arrived and brief for Thursday.
6.30pm Stable check and meeting with stable manager to exchange mobile phone numbers, arrange times for stable checks and other stabling issues discussed.
10pm stable check
Trot up day where a couple of stewards keep an eye on things
THURSDAY
6.45am Meet team members at practise dressage arenas and open these, leave team members to supervise
Check stables
Organise rider briefing information from the Chief Steward
10.00am – 11.00am rider briefing
Queries re correct gear and practise timetables with multiple rides etc.
1pm Assist with trot up set up
2pm – 5pm Trot up in progress, stewards to accompany horses to holding box. Speak to some competitors using whips of 130cm – 140cms for trot up and inappropriate foot wear e.g. slip ons.
Arrange for some stewards to go to dressage practise arenas and familiarisation in the Indoor Schools.
5.30pm Stable check
10pm Stable check
Checking stables is always on the list of things to do
FRIDAY
6.45am Dressage practise supervision and stables
Photocopy running order sheets for stewards.
Confirm flow to and from dressage arenas and that all personnel aware of this.
Clear arenas for grading for precompetition arena preparation
8.30am Test rides commence
More queries re dress and saddlery direct from riders and at gear check
9.00am Co ordinate MCP (Medication Control Programme) – steward, vet paperwork and box ready.
Ensure rotation of stewards at practise dressage arena and dressage precompetition arenas throughout the day.
Catch a dog and find some string to tie it up before it enters the dressage arena
There is always the occasional dog to hang onto
Showjump/gallop area supervision
MCP supervision
Organise for arenas to be graded throughout the day
5.00pm Dressage comp concludes
5.30pm Stable check
6.00pm Steward meeting
10pm Stable check
Wandering round the many great tradestands at Melbourne aren't on the Agenda for the Stewards
SATURDAY
6.00am Find rider on dressage arena in the dark – rider with 2 horses competing today and starting early! Interview in my night attire
6.30am dressage practise arenas opened, supervise
Stable check.
Clear arenas for grading for pre-competition arena preparation
8.30am Test ride commences
Organise for arenas to be graded throughout the day
Ensure rotation of stewards at practise dressage arena, dressage precompetition arenas and show jumping practise arena throughout the day.
MCP supervision
Arrange CC practise fences site and steward
Showjumping practise am and pm stewarded
Steward for gallops
Meet up with spectator control to organise flow of riders from XC warm up to XC start.
Crisis Control Meeting
7pm Rider meeting with officials
6pm and10pm Stable check
Spot the Steward on the far right of the photo making sure the spectators don't walk onto the course at the wrong moment
SUNDAY
6.00am Stables
6.45am Collect radios, clock and whistles for stewards
7.00am-8.00am Brief stewards on warm up area, coordinate riders to start and spectator control through this area.
Cars to be moved from track to warmup area
3* Riders wish to show jump, send steward to SJ practise area and gallop so steward arranged.
Stewards to XC finish
Rotate stewards throughout day
Frequent stable checks
Lunch for stewards
Ensure eliminated/retired riders bring horse to vet at finish.
Man the exit gate from XC finish to direct crowd away from stables
5.00pm Organise SJ practise fences for Monday Indoor 2 and outdoor arena 5
6.00pm Stable check
10.00pm Stable check and meet with stable manager to arrange night watch. Lights out at 11pm.
Chris keeps an eye on things while a bit check is made
MONDAY
5.15am Stable and arena check
6.30am Set up for trot up
7.00am trot up commences
7.30am organise steward team to SJ warmup arena and marshall area for * SJ
8.30am * SJ commences
3*request for SJ practise set for 9.45am – steward organised, make announcement.
9.00am Horse inspection concludes, pack up, to SJ
12md * SJ finishes, arrange presentation rosettes, fanfare etc
MCP
12.30pm – 1.30pm Warmup area supervision for 2*, marshalling to SJ presentation rosettes etc
Followed by 3*SJ , some stewards have to leave MCP for 2*
Warm up SJ for 3*
3.30pm 3* finishes
Organise presentation
MCP
5.00pm Goodbyes
Too late for four hour trip home so spend another night in the caravan and drop a team member at the airport on my way past at 6.30am the next morning.
In our next Stewards article we find out why people become stewards and what they like (and dislike) about the job!
