At Ivey Ranch Park, we want to celebrate our wonderful volunteers. Volunteer Advancement gives everyone an opportunity to be recognized for the skills and responsibilities they acquire. As you progress through each level, you receive a different colored bandana to wear while volunteering. This enables everyone to identify each volunteer’s promotion level.
Level 1
Chore Champion
Chore Champions help Ivey Ranch by keeping stalls, grounds, tack, and horses clean and safe! The responsibilities of Level 1 volunteers include, but are not limited to, cleaning water buckets and salt block holders, sweeping mats, and poop patrol. With some guidance, Chore Champions can also participate in grooming and hand walking our wonderful horses!
Chore Champions will be awarded an orange bandana after 12 hours of service.
Level 2
Side Walker
Get promoted to Side Walker and be involved in the lesson experience! Some clients need a “safety net” while they participate in riding lessons. Side Walkers walk beside the client on either side of the horse to help them have a safe and successful ride! Side Walkers can also help prepare for the lesson by assisting with grooming and tacking the horses.
Side Walkers are awarded a yellow bandana after training with an instructor. Ask any of the Equine Staff how you can learn to be a Side Walker; they would love to teach you! You must be 14+ years old and have no physical limitations that would keep you from assisting a rider in an emergency dismount.
Level 3
Horse Leader
When a client is riding, they need a confident Horse Leader to aid them during the lesson. Horse Leaders walk beside the horse with a lead rope while the client directs the horse. Horse Leaders keep our horses on track so our clients can have a safe and successful lesson. Horse Leaders can also help prepare for the lesson by assisting in grooming and tacking the horses.
Horse Leaders are awarded a blue bandana after training with an instructor. Ask any of the Equine Staff how you can learn to be a Horse Leader; they would love to teach you! You must be 14+ years old and demonstrate a working knowledge of safe handling, leading, and working with our horses.
Level 4
Mentor
These royal volunteers are skilled in all three previous levels and have the responsibility to guide other volunteers. They are always willing to lend a helping hand and to teach new volunteers the skills which they need to succeed. Mentors often participate at Volunteer Orientation and other important events throughout the year.
Mentors are awarded a purple bandana after they have volunteered 200+ hours and when they are willing to guide new volunteers. Mentors are team players and an essential part of our program!
