Volunteer Week Profiles - Vaulting

In celebration of Volunteer Week 2021, we have reached out to our discipline chairs, who give up their time as volunteers to fill these roles. We dug under the surface to discover more about these wonderful people who dedicate so much of their time to keeping our sport running.

Vaulting Chair: Darryn Fedrick 

• Apart from your role as an EA & FEI Official and Chair of National Vaulting Committee, which in its self is a lot of volunteering, how else are you involved as a volunteer? 

DF: Yes, volunteering and involvement take up a great part of my free time, which has become part of my life.

V

aulting is a great passion of mine as it involves so many aspects from training and working the horses to training and development of the athletes. 

Vaulting is one of the rare equestrian sports that places just as much importance on both the horse and the athletes (vaulters).

I think that vaulting is way ahead of most of the other equestrian sports in this aspect. It is interesting to see now how many more of the equestrian sports now are looking more at the athletes (riders) as well. 

• Do you also volunteer outside the equestrian world? If so how?

DF: I use to do lots of volunteering with Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled, but unfortunately these have dropped by the way as I have become more involved with Vaulting.

I still try to do a training day here or there when I have time. I have used vaulting to offer learning and a chance to improve rider seats and balance at several Pony Clubs around SouthEast QLD. 

• As Chair of National Vaulting committee, why would you encourage people to get involved as a volunteer in equestrian sport?

DF: Volunteering as an Official in Vaulting has offered many amazing experiences, with visiting many different countries and meeting hundreds of interesting people from many different countries.

The chance to learn and gain knowledge from so many talented and knowledgeable people. Being part of the International Vaulting family.

• What has been one of your best experiences as a volunteer?

DF: The best experience for me has to have been being the Australian National Vaulting Trainer at the Aachen and Normandy WEGs.

These events are just so special and it is almost impossible to explain the atmosphere and team feeling and support from all the disciplines.

These events bring together all the Australian equestrian athletes, officials, coaches, grooms creating this incredible atmosphere and being a part of the whole Australian team.

Truly life memories. 

• Would you like to say anything particular to all the amazing volunteers in our sport?

DF: To our volunteers, firstly THANK YOU for what you do.

Many times, it may seem that you go unnoticed with the athletes and officials getting public attention.

But let me tell you that every OC, no matter the level from grassroots to international, knows and appreciates your tireless work behind the scenes that make running any competition possible.

It is very simple; without you, we could not run our competitions.