Special Olympics Georgia

1. Special OlympicsGeorgia 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 Georgia’s most unique and exciting event!

4. What is the Horse Show? • The Horse is one of SOGA’s 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 athlete’s 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. Don’t worry, you’ll 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***