03.01.10
Posted in Announcement, Kentucky Horse Park, Volunteerism at 10:31 pm by Thomas
Wanted to get the word out that we have created a Facebook fan page for Volunteering at the Kentucky Horse Park. We are always looking to get the word out about the wonderful opportunities to volunteer at the Kentucky Horse Park. The John Henry Adoption Fair is next month and we can always use volunteers for that as well as the new exhibit, “A Gift from the Desert”, coming to the Museum in May that will run through the World Equestrian Games. The fan page will provide updated information on volunteer opportunities at the Kentucky Horse Park as well as insights to what it is like to be a volunteer at the Kentucky Horse Park, the coolest horse park in the World.
Permalink
01.08.10
Posted in Volunteerism at 11:58 pm by Thomas
Volunteers Still Needed for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Lexington, KY—The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games needs Heroes! Thousands of volunteers are stilled needed to work hundreds of different jobs during the 16 days of the Games, which will be held for the first time in American from September 25-October 10, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“We need volunteers who can lend their expertise to help make these Games a success, no matter their professional skill level,” said Melissa Gamble, Volunteer Manager for the World Games 2010 Foundation. “You might work as a ticket-taker, an usher, work at a visitor information desk, or help with transportation or event services, but each is a very important part of how these Games work every day.”
Volunteer positions for competition-specific duties are currently being selected, but thousands of General Volunteers are still needed. Volunteers can still register their interest at www.alltechfeigames.com/volunteer.
In addition, there is still time to reconfirm your interest as a volunteer if you signed up within the past two years. To reconfirm interest or adjust current contact information e-mail volunteers@feigames2010.org.
All volunteers will receive an official Ariat uniform and a volunteer credential, which will provide General Admission entry to the grounds of the park for all 16 days of the Games. In addition, meal vouchers will be provided for each volunteer during their shift.
According to current volunteers, the benefits of volunteering extend far beyond the uniform.
“The opportunity to assist with an international sporting event is something that many of us will never again experience,” said Carolyn Greene, who volunteered during each of the 2009 Test Event competitions for the Games and is now volunteering full-time at the World Games 2010 Foundation office. “Volunteering is part of who I am and what I do, and I am having a blast here.”
Martin Klotz volunteers his time as part of the Games’ Speakers Bureau. After participating in a training program with staff members, Klotz carries the story of the Games to community groups throughout the Louisville area.
“After each presentation, I have come away with the feeling that I had created an awareness of the Games in those who had not thought much about them and enhanced the interest in those who had,” said Klotz, who has also worked as an usher at the 2009 Test Events. “Of course, I hope I will continue to have the opportunity to help ‘spread the word’ about this monumental event.”
It is not too late to experience the Games as a volunteer. For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com/volunteer or call 859-244-2996.
Permalink
06.30.09
Posted in Equine Rescue/Adoption, Kentucky Horse Park, Volunteerism at 10:36 pm by Thomas
I haven’t had much time to volunteer this summer so I made sure to make the 2nd Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair Saturday, June 27th. I volunteered last year for the 1st Annual so I plan on making this an annual event to volunteer for.
The horse’s were showcased this year at the Breed’s Barn which I find more quaint and hospitable to the Covered Arena. I was told there would be 25 horses showcased from a number of organizations but didn’t do a final count because I had heard a number of horses were adopted in the days prior to the event which is a good thing. The number of people attending seemed less then last year but the crowd still seemed enthusiastic about the event and I do believe this is one of those events that will grow over time and my guess would be by the time the 10th one rolls around this maybe a whole weekend event.
There also was a silent and live auction to raise money for the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses Campaign. I did some bidding in the silent auction and managed to win a pair of Polo lessons. I will have to write about the outcome of those lessons as I have never played Polo but I am very interested to give it a try.
Thomas
Permalink
01.13.09
Posted in Adventure Tourism, Bluegrass Region, Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen, Kentucky, Volunteerism at 10:38 pm by Thomas
Harrodsburg, KY, January 12, 2009 – A local team of oxen, owned by Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen (Ft. Harrod BCH) member Brian Rogers, will work with trail enthusiasts on February 7-8, 2009 to clean out an old dump site at Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails in Harrodsburg. The site primarily contains old tires which work crews will dislodge and load onto a sled pulled by the trained steers.
Rogers’ oxen currently are used for light farm work including pulling a chain drag, pulling logs, moving stones and feed, and more. The two-and-a-half year old pair has been working in yoke for the past two years and travel annually to participate in the Midwest Ox Drover’s Gathering in Scotts Michigan.
“By using oxen to remove the debris we hope to limit the impact on the environment and minimize damage to the vegetation. This is also a great way for us to incorporate the use of draft stock in our trail maintenance efforts,” stated Emily Dennis, President of the Ft. Harrod BCH.
The tires will be removed from the Cornishville Road area of Eagle’s Nest to a proper disposal location. Eagle’s Nest Trail Boss, Dennis Blackburn, is currently working with other Ft. Harrod BCH members and the local community to identify a low cost or no cost recycling or disposal alternative for the tires.
Eagle’s Nest Equestrian Trails is closed for both January and February to reduce impact and erosion to the trails. The scheduled work days are to be conducted on foot and without horses.
Individuals wishing to join the trail clean up efforts will be shuttled from the pavilion at Eagle’s Nest to the clean up site. Clean up efforts begin at 10 a.m. with a midday lunch break featuring potluck chili. Participants are asked to bring prepared chili to mix and heat at the work site or an appropriate side dish and their own non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP to confirm attendance by contacting Dennis Blackburn at 859-613-2665 or hardrockfarm@gmail.com.
For more information or to join the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen contact Emily Dennis at edennis@fewpb.net or 502-330-8798 or Dennis Blackburn at hardrockfarm@gmail.com or 859-613-2665.
Permalink
09.24.08
Posted in Louisville, Volunteerism at 9:17 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park put on a Soiree for the players and staff of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Churchill Downs last Friday night. The Soiree consisted of 16 horses, numerous Horse Park staff and volunteers and was met with great weather and a wonderful crowd. As for me personally I had a great time, these are the kind of events that are like iceing on the cake of volunteering.
The Ryder Cup of course was great fanfare for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provided a glimpse of the attention the Commonwealth will receive in two years with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. I can’t say enough good things about the efforts the Horse Park does to promote the State and to show why we are the “Horse Capital of the World”. As always I will say if you have some time on your hands and would like to get involved in a great cause volunteer out at the Horse Park, whether you are a horse person or not you will find it a great experience.
Thomas
Permalink
06.28.08
Posted in Equine Rescue/Adoption, Kentucky Horse Park, News Worthy, Volunteerism at 11:15 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the 1st Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair today. This was a wonderful event that I got to be a part of as a Kentucky Horse Park volunteer. Originally it was going to be held in the Breeds Barn where I normally volunteer but because of weather concerns it was moved to the indoor arena. The event got a wonderful response with probably nearly all the volunteers at the Horse Park showing up as well a good number of the public for the first ever event. There was also a great turnout from the rescue/adoption agencies themselves and they all provided a lot of information to all of us on the great work they are doing and their needs. I look forward to being a part of the 2nd Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair next year.
To close I have to quote something John Nicholson said, “We believe the responsibility for the welfare of horses falls squarely on the shoulders of every Kentuckian, because every Kentuckian benefits from the horse industry,” and “It is clearly within our power to fix this. It should be within our hearts as well.” Those are bold statements but I applaud Mr. Nicholson for those bold words and for his bold actions.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
02.03.08
Posted in 2010 Games, Announcement, Volunteerism, World Games 2010 Foundation at 12:34 am by Thomas
The World Games Foundation has activated the Volunteer Recruitment website. I was able to register the first day it was up, not sure the reason, but was able to register today. I signed up as a General Volunteer for now, but you have the ability to pick the specific discipline(s) you would like to work with. They do ask for your background in each of the disciplines in order to judge your suitability for those positions. The link to the registration site is provide below and as always I recommend volunteering out at the Horse Park now prior to the Games. I will have further updates on my own volunteering and the needs of our organization.
Click the image below to volunteer!
Permalink
10.31.07
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Updates, Volunteerism at 9:39 pm by Thomas
Wanted to provide an update on my volunteering activities at the Kentucky Horse Park as I have now volunteered 3 Saturdays and can report with a little more of an informed position.
I took an assignment in the Parade of Breeds Barn because for a horse person it is one of the coolest aspects of the park. So far my duties have included holding horses for the farrier, a very necessary job though not the most exciting, bringing in horses from out in their pastures, grooming horses and working the gates during the shows. The full time staff has been wonderful and very helpful to work with while I learn my way around the barn. The horses have also been great and its like any other barn I have worked in that they all have their own distinctive personalities.
So far my experience has been great, no surprise there, and as always I recommend others to give it a shot. That is one last thing I should say about volunteering, is there is nothing run with giving it a try and deciding afterwards that it is not for you, its better to give it a try and decide its not for you then to never try and never know if you are missing out on a great experience in your life.
I have some other updates concerning other things going on with the group and the games that I will have to get posted soon so stay tuned and thanks for all of your interest in our humble endeavor.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
08.19.07
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Volunteerism at 1:55 pm by Thomas
I finally made the time to get out to the Kentucky Horse Park last week for an
interview with the Director of Volunteers about volunteering myself. The Director
of Volunteers, Georgina “Gina” Beare was delightful in personality and very
knowledgeable of the Horse Park. She has put together a volunteer program that
looks to be very well organized and designed to be flexible to meet the needs
of the volunteers and the Horse Park . I came away definitely energized to
volunteer and feeling good that my volunteering could
make a difference. Now I just have to fill out a little paper work and decide
in which position I want to volunteer.
So I want to encourage as many of you as possible to do the same, whether you
are a horse person or not there is a wide range of volunteer positions, and if just
the pure act of volunteering isn’t enough, there are perks provided to recognize
your help.
Gina’s contact information is below:
(859) 259-4267 or (800) 678-8813 Ext. 267
gina.beare@khpfoundation.org
The volunteer program is wholly supported by the
Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and does not use tax payer money.
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation’s mission is to “expand and enhance the
Kentucky Horse Park” . The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation fills a great need
in that the Commonwealth of Kentucky budgets limited funds primarily for the maintenance of the Horse Park. It is with private donations and the support of
volunteers that the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation works to make the
Kentucky Horse Park a premiere equine facility that continues to attract
large numbers of tourist every year that makes it vital to the economy of
Kentucky.
So again, I would like to encourage all of you with an interest in volunteering
for a good cause to contact Gina and see how you can make a difference.
As always thanks for your support.
Thomas Demond
Founder KYWEGO
Permalink
07.04.07
Posted in Kentucky, Volunteerism at 5:59 pm by Thomas
Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a ‘fatherland’
(Latin patria < Greek patris, ??????), by individuals and groups. [Wikipedia]
You may ask what Patriotism on the 4th of July has to do with Kentucky and the World Equestrian Games. The answer is nothing and everything. Wikipedia’s definition is the grand way in which most people think of patriotism but the truth is that patriotism starts in our own local communities and grows from there. So what we celebrate today has to do with the Patriotism of individuals like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the likes that led to the birth of this Nation. The Patriotism we all should practice every other day of the year has to do with how we feel a part of this Nation and how we take care of our it.
The daily Patriotism I am talking about I am going to define this way; a positive and supportive attitudes to one’s community and one’s community starts with the family and friends and grows outward. The key to that statement is positive and supportive attitudes because no matter what, everyday we get up and our attitudes impact the people around us for better or worse. I am not saying that you have to be happy and strive to make some big positive impact everyday just be aware that what you do does make an impact.
One way that I do recommend to make a positive impact is through volunteering for something you care about. That could be through any number of organizations or as simple as helping a neighbor in need on a regular and ongoing basis. I am the first one that will say that it takes a commitment to volunteer with all that we have going on in our busy lives. However, I am also going ask that for those of you able to make such a commitment, not to my organization first but to the Kentucky Horse Park and I am going to ask that by my actions not simply my words. I have already put in a call to the Horse Park to ask about volunteering and I am going to go out there in the next week for an interview to see what and if I can help out there and I will report back with the details.
In this way I hope to be able to make a direct impact in helping the Kentucky Horse Park and another way of helping the success of the World Equestrian Games which I believe will can positively effect all of Kentucky with the help of the citizens of Kentucky.
One final note, we are also always looking for new members to help us get the word out about the Games and to help people find ways to benefit from the Games in all parts of Kentucky. So please sign up and we will keep you in the loop on whats going on and how you can make a difference.
Thank you and Happy 4th of July.
Thomas Demond
Founder
KentuckyWorldEquestrianGames.ORG
Permalink
« Previous Page « Previous Page Next entries »
AbitaNet Corporation