They come from different countries, they are in different age, and they have different experience and ideas for life. But they all have something in common - a passion for equestrian and a willingness to help. More than 100 volunteers will be involved in organizing European Championships in Eventing in Strzegom.
These eventing fans and willing volunteers will come from from eight countries (Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Italy, Sweden and Australia) with the largest contingent coming from Great Britain. The oldest volunteer will be 72 years old and the youngest, who will be supervised by parents, will be 13.
These volunteers will help to prepare and run the competition, assist media, visitors and riders; they will be stewards, scribes and assisting fence judges and you will meet them in the Accreditation Centre, Event Office, Media Centre, Info Centre, at the stables area, dressage, and jumping arena.
Polly Ann (far right) as we usually see her - officiating at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event 2017
PollyAnn and Rosemary
Among the volunteers there are a lot of seniors with impressive careers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience generously. Why?
“Wonderful people, great team so why not?” replies Polly Ann Huntington from Western Australia.
Polly Ann is a judge, technical delegate, dressage rider and trainer. Such a vast equestrian experience allows her to fulfil a number of official roles at the events all over the world. Polly Ann owns a horse stud in Western Australia, where she breeds dressage horses and her charity work is not limited to equestrian, also being a volunteer of the State Emergency Services, an Australian organization helping during natural disasters, as well as a volunteer of Bush Fire Brigade; in Strzegom PollyAnn is going to be in charge if the stewards’ team helping visitors.
A well known figure in eventing, Rosemary Barlow from Great Britain, will also be playing a part
“When Marcin Konarski [Event Director] asked me to help with organising the event, I couldn’t say no”
Rosemary will be in charge of the International Supporters Pavilion. Her experience is truly impressive. She ran ISP for the first time in 1984 in Los Angeles during Olympic Games. Since that time she has organises the Pavilion at every Championships and Olympic Games apart from Rio 2016. Strzegom will be the last Championships event before her retirement. As well as being a great supporter, Rosemary is also a proud owner of well-known eventing horses Avebury, Burghley winner three years in succession and Barbury International four times and the leading mare Qwanza at Badminton this year with Andrew Nicholson
The fun of eventing! Rosemary and Andrew - winners at Burghley in 2014
Aleksandra and Ulrika
Volunteering is a great adventure and fun for some people and a remarkable point in CV or a chance to get new skills for others. It definitely brings satisfaction from the fact of being the part of something significant. Aleksandra Kasperek from Opole in Poland will work in Press Centre as a translator. She has decided to be a volunteer to “help in building such an important event, get an experience in organizing a big project and feel equestrian and sports spirit”
Ulrika Andersson, who comes from Sweden, will support Strzegom’s organizers for the third time.
“Being a volunteer gives you the opportunity to gain new friends, work with people of all ages from all over the globe with the same passion for eventing. It´s a truly rewarding and a lifelong experience. If you are open-minded, you learn lots of new things” In everyday life Ulrika is a hotelier and at the Championships she will be Social Media Manager.
Agata Piniewska, the Volunteers Program Coordinator says “Volunteering is not only about the work that needs to be done. It is also a chance to take part in creating the atmosphere of the event and having an impact on how the event goes on. It’s amazing how many wonderful people you can meet and even start lifelong friendships. Volunteering means people but also atmosphere, satisfaction and confidence that if we act together nothing is impossible”
Ulrika Andersson and Hans Melzer during Strzegom Horse Trials 2017
