Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Volunteers – Part 2
February 25, 2022
Welcome back! Thanks for heading back this way to learn about more of the incredible Kentucky Three-Day Event volunteers and stewards! Last time, you met Megan Carr, Erin Woodall, Caroline Greathouse, and Bob and Kay Willmarth. This round, we’re checking in with some of the event volunteers that make up our safety and communications stewards and crew, as well as the women who help coordinate and organize our mounted steward team.
The hours, dedication, and commitment these individuals and their teams pour into this event each and every year are what make the K3DE the absolute Best Weekend All Year. Without their expertise and passion, our competitors and spectators would most certainly not have the opportunity to watch legends in the making. Help us support our team of volunteers and stewards!
Meet the Kentucky Three-Day Event Volunteers!
Robin Weinstein – Co-Coordinator of the Mounted Stewards
Robin began her volunteer work with the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1979 as a mounted steward, and in 2019 moved up in her role as a co-coordinator of all of our mounted stewards. Robin works in tandem with Martha Johnson to help coordinate the veteran stewards, all while reaching out with opportunities for new stewards ready to join the LRK3DE mounted volunteers list!
- What are the responsibilities of the Mounted Stewards Co-Coordinator? – I work behind the scenes with our veteran mounted stewards and recruit new stewards for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-day Event. I ensure that the stewards sign up correctly on the VIP, answer any questions and address any requests they may have, and keep EEI officials in the loop about our activities and needs. I also work closely with my fellow co-coordinator Martha Johnson, who assigns the mounted stewards to positions on course for the cross-country phase of the event.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – 60, but really, whatever it takes!
- How many volunteers are in your group? – Up to 65
- What is your favorite part about volunteering? –Sharing “The Best Weekend All Year” for 40+ years with my best friend Helen Sproat.
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – It is deeply satisfying to work with so many talented and committed volunteers whose shared goal is to make the K3DE the best and safest competition of its kind in the United States. I also volunteer to support all of the hard work and dedication these world-class riders and horses bring to the competition.
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – Stubben North America, Louisiana Grill: Home of Bourbon Chicken
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I was a librarian for 23 years. Now retired, I grow roses, work on our farm, ride my dressage horse, and scribe for numerous dressage shows in our region.
- Do you, or have you shown? – I was a hunter as a teen.
Dick Owen – Chief Steward of the Competitor and Owner Shuttles & Cross Country Jump Videographers Chief Steward
Say hello to Dick Owen! Dick started his volunteer work with the Groom’s Shuttle crew in 1999, and in 2015 became the Chief Steward of the competitor and owner shuttle, as well as the Jump Videographer volunteers Chief Steward!
- What are the responsibilities of the Chief Steward of the Competitor and Owner shuttle & Cross Country Jump Videographer Chief Steward and volunteers? – Soliciting, organizing, scheduling, training, appeasing, overseeing, feeding and appreciating my 120 volunteers.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – Easily 40 hours pre show and 60 during event week.
- How many volunteers are in your group? – C&O shuttle : Wed-4, Thur-14, Fri-17, Sat-14, Sun 16. Videographer: Fri meeting of group, Sat-60
- What is your favorite memory of volunteering?
– So many but one that always sticks in my mind was from 1999-2000ish of Philip Dutton warming up on XC humming an undulating humm/hooo/humm/hooo tune to get himself and horse in rhythm. Since I was a little star stuck then this vision cemented itself when I had lunch in the riders lounge at his table. I could even say hi.
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – I love horses, the sport, and all the wonderful people both volunteers and “clients”. To be able to help run one of the best shows ever shows the pride I have in our riders.
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – It was the fudge…Cora cake and gyros
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I Was Vice President of Telecommunications for Westwood One Radio Networks.
- Do you, or have you shown? – Back yard local barn shows but never placed above third.
Martha Johnson – Mounted Stewards Co-Chief Steward
In 1980 when Martha began her volunteer work with us, she was delivering scores as a mounted pony clubber. What a great way to fulfill those pony ambitions! In 2017, Martha took on the role as Co-Chief Steward of our Mounted Stewards team. Between she and Robin, they’ve got over 80 years of combined experience with the Kentucky Three-Day Event!
- What are the responsibilities of the Co-Chief Steward of the Mounted Stewards? – I Organize mounted stewards and assign their positions for cross country day. These folks and their horses come from many states and many different foxhunts around the country to help with the event. We all must be prepared to sit in the saddle for up to 8 hours so horse and rider must plan way ahead of the weekend.
- How many volunteers are in your group? – On a regular year there are upwards of 50 volunteers and their horses
- What is your favorite memory about volunteering? –The years that I watched my daughter compete in the Prince Phillip mounted games on cross country day from the back of my horse. I would work my way to the Walnut arena and position myself so I could observe the horses on course and listen on my radios as well as watch the games!
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – I have actually been involved since the 1978 World Championships as my Aunt Edith Conyers had the whole family set up with jobs. I was too young to do much more than groom for my parents but I was there. Next came the days when pony clubbers picked up and delivered scores to the office and I loved to help out with that. Over the years that weekend was always blocked out for the event and I even came back in town from college to help out. I love to see the volunteers each year that make the same trek and this is sometimes the only time each year we get to visit. It has developed its own community of dedicated folks with the same goal as to make this event the absolute best possible each and every year.
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – Wise Choice Tack
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I am a self-employed cattle and hay farmer as well as operating a fox hunting barn that offers trail riding and kids camps in the summer. I have ridden several horses with a for sale tag on them while stewarding as well as buying a couple of mounts to add to my barn from that weekend.
- Do you, or have you shown? – I showed and evented as a child in Keeneland Pony Club but fox hunting is my main passion now.
JJ Johnson – Chief of Communications and Commentary-Control Tent
JJ is another of our long-time Kentucky Three-Day Event volunteer veterans! She started with our event in 1993 and has been keeping communication flowing for nearly three decades.
- What are the responsibilities of the Chief of Communications and the Communications Tent? – Communications: Manage distribution of radios Wed. through Sun. for the phases that run each day, approximately 50 are required for the phases running Thur. Fri. and Sun. Saturday cross country assigns approximately 300 radios with 17 channels for distribution for Cross Country. End of competition collect and confirm all equipment is accounted for. Commentary-Control Tent Chief: Fri., confirm tent setup has an accurate number of tables and chairs and set up according to the needs of those confirmed to be in the tent including the Ground Jury, Controllers, Commentators, Vet Officer, Medical Officer, Safety Coordinator, Scoring Oversee operation throughout the competition, have extra equipment available. Coordinate the volunteers that assist the above.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – As many as are needed to plan radio distribution weeks prior to the event. Arrive Tues. week of the event to set up, work during the competition days.
- How many volunteers are in your group? – Between 3 volunteers on Saturday. 2 to track Competitor movement on cross country for the Commentators, 1 to assist Vet.
- What is your favorite memory from volunteering? – Too many to list. Every year is special and filled with the camaraderie of seeing long-time co-workers, friends and meeting new ones.
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – It’s an honor to work there and has led to the opportunity of working at many other events around the country including 3 Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games in KY 2010.
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – Work at Horse Trials.
- Do you, or have you shown? – Evented and fox hunted for many years. Currently ‘road whip’ for local Hunt.
- Is there anything else you’d like to share? – ‘Kick on’ EEI, keep up the great work.
Jan Hoover – Stable Security and Safety Steward
While Jan is one of our more recent additions to our dedicated team of volunteers, her passion makes our event and stable safety a top priority. She’s been with the K3DE for just over 5 years now, and coordinates with local safety and EMS officials. Her dedication to keeping our competitors, athletes, spectators, volunteers, and everyone in between safe means we can all enjoy the event to its fullest!New Paragraph
- What are the responsibilities of the Stable Security and Safety Steward? – Controlling access to stable areas. Monitoring mares and stallions in the International barn and maintaining quarantine standards. Liaison with KHP police, State Police and event security personnel.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – 120-150
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – After eventing for 40 years it is long past time to give back to the sport.
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – Ouisha
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I am a retired mounted police officer from the Cleveland Metroparks Police Dept. and now divide my time between Eventing and field trialing with my Irish Setter.
- Do you, or have you shown? – I competed at my first event in 1981 and have been fortunate to have been successful at the lower levels throughout the years.
We want to continue to thank our incredible team of Kentucky Three-Day Event volunteers and stewards, for everything you do! Stay tuned for the third part in our series, featuring even more of the amazing men and women that make up the Kentucky Three-Day Event volunteers!
Boyd Martin is known around the world as one of eventing’s most accomplished riders. A fierce competitor with an impressive career spanning decades, Martin has made his mark on the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event with unforgettable performances and podium finishes. A four-time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) and a key member of multiple U.S. Eventing Teams, Martin has helped secure major victories on the world stage. In 2019, he led Team USA to gold at the Pan American Games. At the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Martin has delivered thrilling performances year after year, earning top finishes in the CCI5*-L and the CCI4*-S. In 2024, he clinched second place at the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. His past success at the event also includes a second-place finish in 2019 with Tsetserleg, further solidifying his reputation as a K3DE powerhouse. With an unmatched work ethic and an incredible string of horses, Boyd Martin remains one of the most exciting riders to watch. Stay tuned to see if Boyd and his team will make an appearance at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event! Don’t miss your chance to see history in the making. Buy your tickets today!
Few names shine as brightly as Will Coleman when it comes to the elite of eventing. With a career filled with record-breaking moments and unforgettable performances, he has become a force to be reckoned with—and his appearances at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event never disappoint. In 2024, Coleman entered the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4-S* with two powerhouse horses: Off the Record and Diabolo. Having already made history in 2021 as the first American to win the CCIO4-S at CHIO Aachen*, Coleman and Off the Record were expected to put in a strong performance—especially after earning silver as part of the U.S. team at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship. But at the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4-S*, it was Diabolo who stole the show. Coleman and Diabolo secured a victory then claimed another major win at the Brooke USA CCI4-S*. Meanwhile, Off the Record continued to impress, finishing strong in 3rd place at the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S. Now, all eyes are on Will Coleman as we wait to see if he’ll return to 2025 K3DE. Will he be back at the Kentucky Horse Park this April? If so, which of his incredible horses will he bring to the competition? Secure your tickets to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event today!
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