Volunteers Spend Decades Making Dressage at Devon a Success

September 10, 2010 Off By Roberta Johnston

Each year, Dressage at Devon returns as the premier dressage competition in North America. This year celebrates the 35th anniversary of this incredible dressage show, breed show and shopping experience. Along with a small staff and devoted organizing committee, hundreds of volunteers from around the world help make the show possible. These volunteers work very hard to ensure that Dressage at Devon runs smoothly, with many folks returning year after year to volunteer. An event of this caliber would not be possible without the dedication of these amazing people.

Andi Bates, from Glen Mills, PA, has been the volunteer coordinator at Dressage at Devon for the past 12 years. She began volunteering to help out a friend of hers who worked at Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Inc., the current beneficiary of the show.

Andi’s responsibilities include managing the hundreds of volunteers that are needed each year to create the magic that is Dressage at Devon. Many of the same people have been volunteering for years, some before Andi started 12 years ago. “It is like a big family, and one of the highlights for many volunteers is having the chance to see old friends again,” explains Andi. One of her favorite memories is of a father, his daughter and his granddaughter volunteering together for several years. For many in the community, this multi-generational family commitment to the show is time well spent.

To keep such hard working volunteers requires great appreciation from the show. Among the perks? Delicious catered food prepared by long-time volunteer Claire Fitzmeir of Glen Mills, PA, a free gate pass for the week, a mug, a pin, a program and the famous volunteer swag bags. Says Andi, “We’ve got the best volunteers. Most of them are grateful, positive and energetic. They are willing to do anything and are thankful at the end. It is a pleasure to work with all of them. They are at the core of what makes Dressage at Devon special.”

One of the extremely selfless and dedicated volunteers is Sandie Gaylinn. Sandie lives on a small horse farm in Virginia, and has been volunteering at Dressage at Devon for 21 years. She began her tenure at the breed show, but has expanded to include the performance division, although the mares, stallions and foals of the breed division are still closest to her heart.

“The first year that I volunteered I even helped rake centerline,” Sandie recalls. “Back then the show didn’t have a grounds crews so we did anything and everything that needed to be done.” For the past 10 years, Sandie has been an area steward in the Gold Arena, home of many exciting classes and warm-ups. “I like to watch the horses when they are warming up on Saturday night in the darkened arena for the Grand Prix Freestyle. It is as beautiful for me as their performance. Powerful horses, backlit by the arena lights with a halo of gentle steam rising off their warm bodies in the cool night air. There is also a special thrill watching them enter through the gates into the arena under the sign ‘Where Champions Meet,'” she says.

Sandie agrees that one of the best parts of the experience is getting to know people, and then seeing them again each year. She explains, “We are like a gypsy family who blow in together and then blow back out.”

For 35 years Dressage at Devon has relied on the hard work of its volunteers. Without them, Dressage at Devon would not have grown into an international destination event. For more information on how to join this dedicated volunteer team, please contact Andi Bates, 610-331-6736 or email her at [email protected].