Special Olympics
Georgia
State Horse Show
Volunteer Orientation
Be A Fan! Bring out the CHAMPION in everyone!
Mission
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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
Horse Show
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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!
What is the Horse Show?
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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.
Official Rules of the Horse Show
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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
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riders balance
riders seat
use of aids
ability to follow directions
ring etiquette and safety
sportsmanlike conduct
Volunteer Positions
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Gate Keepers
Score Sheet Runners
Athlete Escorts
Announcers
Awards
Olympic Town
Opening Ceremony
Victory Dance
Gate Keepers
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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.
Score Sheet Runners
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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.
Athlete Escorts
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Escort athletes to awards area
Makes sure that athletes are
present to receive awards
Announcers
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Announces athletes who are
competing
Announces awards placements
Etc.
Awards volunteers
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Volunteers assist with
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the presentation of medals and ribbons
to athletes
announcing the winners
escorting athletes from arenas to the
awards area
assisting athletes onto awards blocks
Olympic Town Volunteers
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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
Opening Ceremony Volunteers
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Opening Ceremony will take place
Friday evening
Volunteers are needed to assist with
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handing out program books
escorting attendees
lining up athletes for the athlete parade
Victory Dance Volunteers
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The Victory Dance will take place
Saturday evening
Volunteers are needed to assist with
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crowd control
serving snacks and drinks
clean up
What to Expect while Working with
Athletes
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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:
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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.
General Guidelines for Volunteer
Behavior
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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!
When you arrive at volunteer
registration,
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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
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***