Volunteer Information
Westernaires is a non-profit, self-supporting group that operates purely because of volunteerism. Having only one paid staff member (our full-time, on-site caretaker), we depend upon parents, family members, and friends who are generous with their time, knowledge, and desire to give back to the community.
Our volunteer numbers have dwindled since the Covid pandemic started. Although our riding operations are at full capacity once again, we find ourselves desperately in need of volunteers to help our organization run smoothly.
Parents of Westernaires riders are especially encouraged to step up and help contribute. We could never afford to pay for the help we need to continue operating, so we kindly ask for help in specific (and not so specific) areas.
Please complete the form at the bottom of this page if you are interested in supporting the young riders of Westernaires and being a part of this 74-year long Colorado tradition.
Here are just a few areas where we’re seeking more volunteer help:
Facilities
Facilities is responsible for all the upkeep of the grounds and buildings of Fort Westernaire. Stu, our Head of Facilities, is present at Fort Westernaire on Saturday mornings and weekday mornings, but any time you are available to assist during the week or weekend is also welcomed. Specific expertise is currently needed:
General laborers to help on projects
Electricians
Plumbers
Carpentry/painting/drywall
Locksmiths
Welders
Flat concrete workers
Snow Plowing
HVAC
Vehicle and facilities painters
Transportation
Westernaires maintains a full fleet of semis, trailers, busses, and trucks that get us to our shows and parades in a safe and efficient manner. Transportation help includes maintenance of the diesels and gasoline vehicles and trailers, as well as driving to shows. Help is currently needed with:
Bus drivers (CDL)
Semi drivers (CDL)
Diesel and gas engine mechanics
Vehicle body work and painting
Wranglers
This hands-on role is rewarding and not without its risks. Some of our Wrangler tasks include:
Helping our young riders learn to catch, groom and saddle horses.
Helping riders pull horses off the rail before class and return them to pasture them back after class
Caring of the horses during classes
Caring for sick or injured horses
Assist with catching horses for vet and farrier days
Inspecting and maintaining tack
Other requirements for our Wranglers include:
Must attend and pass our 6-week Wrangler class (one night per week). Our next Wrangler class beings (stay tuned for more information).
Must wear identifying uniform and boots.
No commitment, help when it is convenient for you.
Contact WesternairesWrangler@gmail.com for more information.
Tack Maintenance
Are you knowledgeable about the cleaning of leather? Or have you ever wanted to learn more about repair, fitting, and cleaning of tack? Our Tack Maintenance volunteers work to clean leather, saddle blankets, horse cooling blankets, etc. Contact WesternairesWrangler@gmail.com for more information.
Leather Working
Are you interested in working with repairing tack and harness equipment? We’re looking for people who can repair tack or harness equipment at home or with our equipment on-site. We’re also seeking those who can sew leather and vinyl. Our Varsity Big Red Team uses custom matching horse tack, and we’re looking to make new costume bridles, reins, breast collars, saddle covers, and chaps.
Contact Cindy Orr at 720-270-4355 for more information.
First Aid
Although most of the injuries we see are minor — like small cuts, bumps, and bruises that parents and riders can handle themselves — we like to maintain a volunteer corps of people who can identify an injury, keep calm, handle blood, and maintain their composure during intense situations. First Aid volunteers also commit to be on-hand for practices, shows, and parades.
Requirements for our First Aid volunteers include the CPR AED First aid class within the first year of volunteering and a concussion class within one year. These classes are provided through Westernaires with a possible small charge for certification submission. A medical background is great to have but not required.
First Aid volunteers must wear our identifying uniform so that they can be easily identified by riders and volunteers. Contact firstaid@westernaires.org for more information.
Costume Sewing
Our sewers repair costumes at home or from our Westernaires sewing room. For more information, contact Chris Ulshoffer at 720-272-2259 text or email culshoffer@comcast.net
Harness Team
Our Harness team catches, grooms, harnesses, and hitches up our draft / draft mix horses, our regular-sized horses, and our ponies for purposes of driving our rolling stock.
Harness team volunteers must be adults aged 18 and over. No experience is necessary. You need to be willing to help with the Harness team at shows and parades.
Required attire includes long pants and either hiking or western boots.
The Harness group meets Monday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00PM at the tack trailer in the SW corner of the Fort Westernaire sheds and barns (by the semis).
For questions, call or text Cindy Orr 720-270-4355 or Rhoda Schleicher 303-263-8324.
Riding Instructors
Westernaires is always seeking adults who are willing to take our senior instructor class (begins each February and goes through May/June). Classes occur on one evening per week. Potential instructors must attend shows or parades as the class curriculum dictates. All teaching follows the Westernaires methodology.
Westernaires instructors must wear the approved uniform for teaching.
For questions, contact Mike Skelton 303-514-0610 or Michaels@realestatedenver.com, and to register for the Senior Instructor class, please complete this form.
Kitchen
Kitchen volunteers are helpers who commit to working a specific shift each or every other Saturday for several hours. We are also looking for someone willing to manage the kitchen after some training, or be a co-manager.
Previous training in food handling is very helpful but not a requirement. No uniform is required other than long pants and closed toed shoes for safety.
For more information, contact kitchen@westernaires.org
Westernaires Museum
Our museum curators are looking for those who are interested in spending some time in our award-winning Westernaires Museum of Western & Riding History. Westernaires riders and adults are encouraged to get involved. There are at least three areas in which we're seeking help, including:
Museum Docents assist us in speaking about particular areas of history that we highlight in the museum. Curiosity and interest in history are must-haves.
Helping with occasional cleaning, maintenance, and repairs of equipment and displayed items.
Helping us to develop some new features and items to display (don't worry -- we'll give you specific tasks). Like any museum, we switch out displayed items from time to time. This particular task could involve carpentry, electrical, or other specialized skill sets.
To register as an interested Museum volunteer, please click here to complete our online form, or use the form below.
Posse
Posse-people help with everything around Fort Westernaire: parking cars, paddock management, security, and general help. They also assist in the arena with Liberty jumps, and serve as barn parents and flag parents for their riders’ teams.
The Westernaires Posse uniform is required for identification purposes.
For more information on joining our Westernaires Posse, please email westernairesposse@outlook.com
