TIEC seeking volunteers for upcoming equestrian games

MILL SPRING — Those who have not purchased tickets for the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring have another way to get in on the action.

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is looking for more volunteers to fill shifts during the event. 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people,” said TIEC Director of Community Engagement and WEG Volunteer Coordinator Kathryn McMahon. “This is only the second time WEG has come to the U.S.”

WEG will take place Sept. 11–23, and will feature the top horses and equestrian athletes from around the world.

There are volunteer positions open both for those with extensive horse knowledge and those who simply want to be a part of all the excitement, meet people from across the globe and contribute their efforts to a good cause, McMahon said.

Volunteers are asked to serve a minimum of three shifts of six hours each. Most volunteers, however, are signing up to serve as many as seven to 12 shifts.

Volunteers who serve the minimum of three shifts will get grounds-access passes for all 12 days of the competition. They may have the opportunity to get seating for the events themselves, if it becomes accessible.

Volunteers will also have free on-grounds parking access rather than having to park at a satellite location.

“Volunteers also receive two grounds access buddy passes they can use for friends or family,” McMahon said. “They will also have access to the volunteer headquarters on the berm on Derby Field.”

McMahon is handling the operations volunteers while Fédération Equestre Internationale discipline managers — many of whom are from other countries — will choose their own volunteers from a pool of known applicants. However, there is plenty of need for knowledgeable horse people, especially from the area.

McMahon said they need local people with horse knowledge to man the guest services booths.

“They need to know the area, know horses and be able to explain the games and the disciplines,” she said. “This is a sitting job.”

She said working along with guest services are greeters, who also need to know horses and know the area. Greeters will be required to walk a fair amount.

Among the many other type of jobs still open include arena décor crew and VIP hospitality, and ushers, McMahon said. McMahon said they also need lead volunteers, a great role for an experienced horse person.

“We also need rooms for the volunteers,” she said. “Many locals are offering rooms in their homes for people, either from the U.S. or a foreign national, to stay.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can create a volunteer profile at volunteers.tryon2018.com. McMahon said they need to go through the entire three-step process, which includes choosing the days, times and job the person wishes to volunteer for.

Volunteers are asked to purchase a volunteer shirt, hat and pin, and wear khaki pants, skirts or non-cargo-style shorts.

Anyone interested in offering a room for a volunteer free of charge can go to tryon2018.com and click on the “volunteers page” for more information about listing their home.