Marshals
BD Marshals are a vital part of the team, helping competitions run safely and smoothly for horses, riders and officials.
Whether they are volunteers or venue staff, their support helps create a positive experience for everyone.
What does a BD Marshal do?
A BD Marshal works closely with the Organiser, Judges, Stewards and other show officials. Duties may include collecting score sheets, supervising the warm-up arena, helping the competition stay on schedule and monitoring equine welfare across the showground.
You can spot a BD Marshal by their red “BD Marshal” armband. They are approachable, visible and ready to help.
How to become a BD Marshal
To sign up to begin your journey, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Hold at least a free BD Community Membership
- Nominate the venue you will be working with most frequently, you can also volunteer at other venues across the country.
The programme is free to complete on the BD Learning Hub. Begin by registering through HorseMonkey so that we can keep track of your details, progress and your designated regular venue.
After registering, you will receive access to the online course. It covers five practical areas:
- The Competition Day: understand what makes a successful competition day and learn how to handle conversations confidently and constructively.
- BD Values: discover the principles that underpin every BD activity and competition, including safeguarding.
- Equine Welfare: learn to recognise signs of good and poor welfare in the arenas and across the venue, and understand how to report concerns to BD and key event staff.
- Arena Management: gain the practical skills to help manage an arena safely and efficiently, creating the best possible experience for everyone.
- Next Steps: explore opportunities to continue developing, including the Steward education pathway.
At the end of the lessons, you will complete a short quiz. Once you have passed the quiz, you will receive a Marshal certificate through the Learning Hub. If your venue does not already have a BD Marshal armband, one will be sent there for you wear.
Allow up to two hours to complete the full course. Register now for the BD Marshal course via the button below.