Our True Horsepower
World-class events need world-class volunteers – and we feel that Spruce Meadows’ volunteers are the very best. Our volunteer Pegasus Club is made up of the more than 500 people who help out during tournaments.
To become a member of the Spruce Meadows Pegasus Club all we ask is that you are at least 18 years of age. Keep in mind that there is no public transit serving Spruce Meadows, so we recommend that you live close by and have reliable transportation. Various times and dates are available and we will try to cater your schedule to ours.
Thank you for considering volunteering at Spruce Meadows! We are delighted you would consider joining our team – please read the following information on the different volunteering positions available. If you are interested in helping us, please click on application form
Volunteer Schedules
Would you like to be a Spruce Meadows Volunteer?
Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions. These are most of the positions available:
Ground Crew
Flagperson
Gateperson
Ringmaster
Ground Crew
Flagperson
Flagging is a key component of a tournament as accurate timing is essential to the success of our sport. As a Flagger, you are responsible for informing the hand timers (located in the judges' booth) when the horses cross the start and finish lines. Flaggers are positioned by the ringmaster in conjunction with the judges and hand timers.
Gateperson
As the Gateperson, you are responsible for the entrance and exit of athletes in to and out of the competitive arena. With the aid of the Hitching Ring, you are the final check to ensure that competitors are entering the arena in the correct order.
Ringmaster
As Ringmaster you have a central role in the management of a competition ring during events. Your ultimate responsibility is to ensure that the ring runs efficiently and safely, while working closely with the Competitions Manager as well as all of the volunteers at the ring. Further, you are responsible to ensure that any sponsors that may be in attendance are assisted as required.
Meadowview Lounge & Presentations
Meadowview Lounge - Bar
Meadowview Lounge - Kitchen
Presentations
Meadowview Lounge & Presentations
Meadowview Lounge - Bar
Duties for the bar area include serving water, checking for appropriate accreditation and identification, maintaining and tidying the coffee station, adjacent tables and snack area around the bar, stocking coolers and cleaning at the end of the day.Meadowview Lounge - Kitchen
Kitchen duties include some dish washing, display of food for lunch and dinner and some food preparation.
Presentations
Presentations volunteers predominantly assist with the award ceremonies that follow each competition. There could be as many as six rings with competitions in each ring on any given tournament day.
Transportation Crew
Transportation
Transportation Crew
Transportation
As a driver, you are an integral part of the Pegasus group of volunteers as you are often the first face that our fans, sponsors and officials see as they arrive at Spruce Meadows. You are responsible for the transportation of officials, sponsors and special guests to and from airports, hotels and so on. Additionally, you provide golf cart services to visitors around the Spruce Meadows grounds. This position requires a person who enjoys driving, is familiar with the city and with the Spruce Meadows property, and is personable and capable of handling change and inclement weather.
Ring Crew
Hand Timer
Recorder
Hand Timer
As a hand timer, you are responsible for providing backup timing for the electronic timing system in the event of a system malfunction. There is always a minimum of two hand timers in each competitive ring.
Recorder
As the recorder, you are the link between the hitching ring / gate and the judges’ booth. The recorder communicates information between these areas and records results during the competition.
Meet a Volunteer
Rosemary Bishop
Rosemary Bishop has volunteered with the Pegasus group of volunteers at Spruce Meadows since 1990. She has been involved in a number of different roles including gateperson, presentations, recorder, hitching ring and most recently timing. She is heavily involved in the community and is a proud mother of two children and grandmother of two. Despite her admirable community involvement and her duties as grandmother, she always finds time to help with the tournaments, and to assist with new volunteers whenever possible. In short, Rosemary is a valued volunteer and true friend to Spruce Meadows. Rosemary was recognized for her years of service last year by being selected to receive the Rolex Canada “Commitment to Excellence” award.
Gwen Anderson
Gwen has been volunteering with the Pegasus Group of Volunteers at Spruce Meadows since 1995. She began volunteering at the suggestion of a co-worker at the time because Gwen’s daughter was a rider and she thought it might be a good fit for her. That was over 16 years ago, and Gwen has been an extraordinary volunteer ever since. Gwen helps in the Presentations Group at Spruce Meadows, and is always eager to lend a helping hand, with presentations on any ring, during any tournament. Gwen always sports a beautiful smile, and is an integral member of the Spruce Meadows Presentations Group. Gwen was born in Calgary, but grew up in Rosebud, Alberta and is married, with one daughter. Gwen is a dedicated community member, and has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Society and other community groups. Gwen was the recipient of the Dr. John & Mrs. Chris Wood Pegasus Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011 as a token of Spruce Meadows’ appreciation for all of her hard work and dedication to Spruce Meadows.
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Colleen Spence
Colleen is a truly amazing volunteer with the Pegasus Group of Volunteers at Spruce Meadows. Colleen began volunteering over eleven years ago with her sister Diane, in the Volunteer Transportation Department. After helping for a number of years in Transportation, Colleen decided that she wanted to volunteer in a capacity that was closer to the horse, so she moved to the rings and began hand timing, then moved to recording, which is now her main post. Colleen also helps with gate keeping, flagging and presentations – a truly special volunteer! Colleen never misses a tournament at Spruce Meadows, and rarely misses an individual competition day. We could not run our tournaments without dedicated and extraordinary volunteers like Colleen. In addition to her interest in equine sports, Colleen is also a dog enthusiast, having owned many special pets in her life. She also keeps busy with her two lovely grandsons, and as a professional genealogist. The staff, officials and sponsors of Spruce Meadows truly appreciate Colleen and her selfless dedication to the sport, and the Spruce Meadows’ vision. Colleen, along with her sister Diane, were awarded the Dr. John & Mrs. Chris Wood Pegasus Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008.
Jennifer Tizzard
Jennifer is the Coordinator for the Volunteer Drivers. She was one of the original transportation crew from the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and she, together with a group of other volunteers from the Olympics, continued to provide volunteer driving services to select venues. Jennifer has been a part of the Spruce Meadows Pegasus Club since 1990 and was awarded the 2003 Rolex Canada “Commitment to Excellence” Award at Spruce Meadows for her dedicated years as a volunteer. Everyone who meets Jennifer is amazed by her patience and her kindness – the staff, officials and sponsors of Spruce Meadows all truly appreciate her and recognize her as an unsung hero.
Please be aware that you may be called to help at one or more of the following tournaments:
| February Classic | Feb 25 - 26 |
| Winter Farewell | Mar 08 - 11 |
| Spring Welcome | Mar 15 - 18 |
| May Classic | May 03 - 06 |
| June Classic | Jun 02 - 03 |
| 'National' | Jun 06 - 10 |
| 'Continental' | Jun 14 - 17 |
| 'Skyliner' | Jun 20 - 24 |
| 'Canada One' | Jun 28 - Jul 01 |
| 'North American' | Jul 04 - 08 |
| 'Masters' | Sep 05 - 09 |
| Pony Classic | Oct 13 - 13 |
| Harvest Classic | Oct 18 - 21 |
| Oktoberfest | Oct 25 - 28 |
Apply to be a Volunteer Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check in at the Volunteer Trailer (located in Lot #9) when you arrive on the grounds at least one (1) hour before your shift is to begin. If the trailer is not open, please gather your necessary items from the trailer and go directly to the ring at which you will be volunteering – there is usually some prep time required before a competition.
What do I wear?
Volunteers are asked to wear a white top and black or khaki bottoms. Please refer to the section entitled Dress Code in the Volunteer Manual for further information.
After I have received my times to volunteer, will they change?
Volunteer shifts are always subject to change. The schedule depends on many factors such as the weather, number of entries and so on. Spruce Meadows’ staff will inform you via telephone and or email of any changes in schedule as late as the night prior to the competition. Please also reference the schedule located on this page for updates
Am I limited to volunteering in one role, or can I change my volunteer position?
Some volunteers are content with volunteering in one role only, however, others prefer to volunteer in several different capacities. It is entirely up to you to decide which you would prefer.
If I am not able to make my shift, or if I am going to be late, who do I contact?
If you know in advance that you are unable to make it to your shift, please contact Sarah Ftichar (tel. 403.974.4596) or email sarah.ftichar@sprucemeadows.com with as much notice as possible. If you are going to be late or have to cancel the day of your shift, please phone the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible.
