Location: Helensville Showgrounds, 63 Railway St, Helensville 0800
Availability: Saturday 28th February 2026
Team size: 1 - 8

Description:

Stewards are in charge of running the rings at the Helensville Show. In this case, the horse/equestrian rings. If you like horses, you'll enjoy stewarding - what's not to like about half a day watching beautiful horses performing in front of you?! Having said that, you don't need to be a horse person to steward.

Each ring requires two stewards, who work closely together to ensure the ring runs smoothly, the judge is not waiting and that the schedule of classes will be fulfilled in time.

One operates the 'gate' where the competitors enter the ring, this is the Gate Steward. Their role is to keep the flow of entrants moving so as soon as one class is finished, the next is moving into the ring. While a class is running, this person calls up the entrants for the next ring, assembles them outside the gate and lets them in once the previous class is clear. They communicate to the Ring Steward (who works with the judge), to advise of any scratchings, so the judge knows they have all the riders and may start the judging process. There will be the odd enquiry from riders also (usually about timing or if they are in the next class). Some rings do require the horse to have a height certificate and in these rings, the height cert is checked to ensure it is valid. It is also good if the Gate Steward can note down placings as a class comes out, as a double check (however the responsibility of this really lies with the Ring Steward).

The Ring Steward works with the judge to ensure all runs smoothly, so the judge may do their work without distraction. Liaison with the Gate Steward and Judge regarding ring entrants is crucial. The Ring Steward records all results, has the ribbons for that class ready to hand the judge when their decision is made, fills in Height Certificates if the winner is a Novice and does everything possible to make the Judge's job smooth.

Both roles are supported by the Chief Equestrian Steward on the day and any questions can be directed to the Equestrian tent. There is a Stewards training session usually the week before the Show, which goes through all elements of the roles, gives the volunteers an opportunity to ask questions and introduces you to our Equestrian team.