Special Olympics Georgia

1
Special Olympics Georgia
State Horse Show Volunteer Orientation

• Be A Fan! Bring out the CHAMPION in everyone!

2
Mission

• To provide year-round sports training and
  athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type
  sports for all children and adults with
  intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing
  opportunities to develop physical fitness,
  demonstrate courage, experience joy, and
  participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and
  friendship with their families, other Special
  Olympic athletes, and the community.
• The Special Olympics goal is to help bring
  individuals with intellectual disabilities into
  the larger society under conditions whereby they
  are accepted, respected and given the chance to
  become useful and productive citizens

3
Horse Show

• Held each year in Perry, GA at the Georgia
  National Fairgrounds Agricenter.
• Over 200 Special Olympics athletes, 25 Unified
  Partners, and 90 coaches from around the state
  head to Perry in August to compete.
• Over 100 volunteers will be on hand the weekend
  of the tournament.
• Competition begins on Friday and ends Sunday with
  the Opening Ceremony Friday evening and the
  Victory Dance Saturday evening.
• This is truly one of Special Olympics Georgias
  most unique and exciting event!

4
What is the Horse Show?

• The Horse is one of SOGAs five state games.
• Events include dressage, showmanship, walking
  trails, and English and Western style riding
• Athletes of all ages can compete in the Horse
  Show.
• Unlike most Special Olympic sports, athletes are
  divisioned based on ability and not separated by
  gender or age.

5
Official Rules of the Horse Show

• Clothing of the riders must be neat with
  appropriate footwear all athletes must wear
  helmets.
• Coaches may not act as horse handlers, side
  walkers, or spotters for their own athletes while
  the athlete is being judged.
• Side walkers may not give verbal commands or
  extra physical prompting except in emergency
  situations.
• Performance of the horse is not considered more
  important than the method used in obtaining them.
• Judging is based on the following
• riders balance
• riders seat
• use of aids
• ability to follow directions
• ring etiquette and safety
• sportsmanlike conduct

6
Volunteer Positions

• Gate Keepers
• Score Sheet Runners
• Athlete Escorts
• Announcers
• Awards
• Olympic Town
• Opening Ceremony
• Victory Dance

7
Gate Keepers

• Monitor gates making sure no one enters or exits
  from gates during a competition.
• Open and close gates for athletes on their
  horses.
• Makes sure only appropriate individuals enter
  arenas.

8
Score Sheet Runners

• Takes score sheet from judge to announcers table
  after an athlete has completed their run.
• Takes score sheet to awards area after it has
  scores have been tallied.

9
Athlete Escorts

• Escort athletes to awards area
• Makes sure that athletes are present to receive
  awards

10
Announcers

• Announces athletes who are competing
• Announces awards placements
• Etc.

11
Awards volunteers

• Volunteers assist with
• the presentation of medals and ribbons to
  athletes
• announcing the winners
• escorting athletes from arenas to the awards area
• assisting athletes onto awards blocks

12
Olympic Town Volunteers

• Olympic Town takes place on Saturday during
  competition.
• Olympic Town is a carnival type setting in which
  athletes can play games, make crafts, watch
  movies when they are not competing.
• Volunteers assist athletes with games or with
  making crafts
• Monitors athletes and tables

13
Opening Ceremony Volunteers

• Opening Ceremony will take place Friday evening
• Volunteers are needed to assist with
• handing out program books
• escorting attendees
• lining up athletes for the athlete parade

14
Victory Dance Volunteers

• The Victory Dance will take place Saturday
  evening
• Volunteers are needed to assist with
• crowd control
• serving snacks and drinks
• clean up

15
What to Expect while Working with Athletes

• One of the biggest questions that new volunteers
  have is how to work with our athletes. If you are
  a new volunteer, here a few things to keep in
  mind
• Most of our athletes are adults so make sure to
  speak to them like adults.
• Many athletes like to hug, shake hands, give high
  fines, etc You may reciprocate if the athlete
  initiates it and you are comfortable with that.
• Some athletes are in wheelchairs do not lean on
  their chairs.
• Some athletes have speech impediments. If you
  cannot understand an athlete, ask them to repeat
  themselves or ask a coach or one of the athletes
  teammates to help you to understand.
• There are some athletes that salivate
  excessively, are very stiff, or have other
  symptoms associated with their disability. Please
  do not state.
• Remember that respect of the dignity and effort
  of the athletes is the priority at Special
  Olympics. Pity is not part of the game.

16
General Guidelines for Volunteer Behavior

• Volunteers may hug an athlete only when the
  athlete initiates the hug
• Volunteers should not disrupt competitions in any
  way
• Volunteers should encourage, not coach, the
  athletes
• Volunteers should be friendly, not threatening or
  harassing to other volunteers or staff
• All equipment, banners, t-shirts, and other
  materials used during competition is the property
  of SOGA or participating agencies. Please do not
  take any of these items including the blue
  volunteer bibs, which must be returned to
  volunteer registration when you have completed
  your assignment.
• A situation may arise that causes a delay in
  competition. Please be patient and understand
  that the SOGA staff is doing all they can to
  resolve any issues so that competition can
  continue. During any downtime, get to know the
  athletes.
• At the Horse Show, loud noises, including
  clapping and yelling, are discouraged because
  noises could spook the horses. Make sure to keep
  this in mind when cheering. Dont worry, youll
  find plenty of other ways to cheer silently!
• And above all else, make sure to HAVE FUN!

17
When you arrive at volunteer registration,

• Make sure to sign in at the volunteer
  registration table!
• BRING ID
• You will receive a blue volunteer bib
• You will be assigned to a area at volunteer
  registration.
• Any questions, go to the volunteer registration
  table or find a SOGA staff person

18

• THANK YOU for volunteering for Horse Show!!!
• Please refer to the equestrian rules link for
  more details on the competition. Please note
  that you do not have to memorize or know these
  rules. The guide is just there for anyone that
  wants a better understanding of how competition
  is run. Training on your specific volunteer role
  will be done at the event