Remember you are paid staff and thereby not only a representative of yourself but the organization which has hired you.
Always be on time, dressed appropriately, and conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.

Announcer:  The announcer is the voice of all shows, and sets the pace and helps with the “atmosphere” of the show.

Get a rundown of the speaker system, and equipment well before the start of the show and be sure that you can be heard in the barns and show rings.

Have the show manager provide any scripted material, for example sponsors who should be announced, information about vendor hours, schedule changes, etc.

BE SURE to TURN OFF the microphone when having a personal conversation. Sounds like common sense, but it happens all the time and can lead to a very embarrassing situation.

Remember, if you are in a bad mood, it can carry across in your voice and set the tone of the show. Have fun, smile, and when appropriate say Congratulations (for day end high points etc).

Turn your cell phone to silent.

Speak clearly, and repeat commands twice for example “walk please, all walk.” When riding sometimes it’s hard to hear the command when announced only a single time, and depending on the age of your sound system parts of words can get cut off.

When announcing multi-judged shows, announce the judge’s results with the most seniority 1st along with the back number and full name of the horse and rider, then for any additional judges announce only the placing and back number of the exhibitor instead of the full name of horse and rider, otherwise you'll be announcing till the cows come home.

Ask the show manager to give you the correct pronunciation of the Judges and any exhibitors which you are unsure of.

Show Manager: You are the lead, everyone on the grounds will look to you for direction.

Review the associations and/or club rules and have a copy with you

Be organized and PREPARED for anything. Have contingency plans in place prior to the show, what will you do if it rains, a rider falls and gets hurt, or a horse is loose, or becomes ill.

Know the numbers of local vets and farriers, along with the address of the show grounds in case you need to call for emergency services if you don't have them already onsite.

Make sure that the announcer, ring steward, and assistant steward all have copies of patterns, the showbill, and class entry sheets.

Also make sure that all appropriate exhibitor information is posted (stall assignments and patterns).

Show Secretary: The show secretary does all the entries and show bills.

This is a job best suited for a HIGHLY organized individuals with great multitasking skills.

Have print materials prepared prior to the show (entry forms, class lists, etc).

Make sure you have the resources you need to do your job. Do you have access to a copier, computer with internet hookup if necessary, fax machine, and an assistant or runner to provide judges cards to you throughout the day.

You will also be in communication with the announcer, ring steward and assistant steward for any surprise at the gate last minute scratches and adds to a class which will have to be figured into people's day end show bills.

Be prepared to be interrupted, you will have to answer a myriad of questions from exhibitors throughout the day, if you don't know the answer to a question find the show manager for help, and remember to just keep smiling!

Ring Steward/Scribe: The ring steward and scribe act as judges assistants. In some instances you will call commands from the judge to the announcer, you will call placings on the judges' cards up to the announcer, and you will be sure that any equipment needed is at hand and possibly help with set up.

 Have a general knowledge of the rules of the association/club you are working for.

Have a clip board, copy of any patterns, rule books, and pens available to you and the judges.

Dress your best comfortably, judges dress in professional attire, while you need not dress like the judge (sport coats and jackets) you should dress well meaning Clean comfortable clothes and attire appropriate to your show. For example at a State Sanctioned Breed Show clean comfortable shoes or boots, pressed jeans or khakis, and a polo or button shirt with western hat. While the boots you wear to muck your stalls, your favorite faded jeans and faded t-shirt might be comfortable, they are not be appropriate.

Remember exhibitors should not approach the judge directly, they should approach you with any technical questions. In this instance you will be the go-between for exhibitors and judges.

For any pattern classes be sure that the needed items (for example cones) are close at hand as you will help the judges set their patterns.

When calling commands/placings for the judges to the announcer remember to speak clearly so that there are no misunderstandings.

Also you are another set of eyes in the ring, double check the numbers written on the judges' cards for errors or transpositions and have the judges make corrections immediately.

Assistant Steward/Paddock Master: Remember the game “memory” where you matched two picture cards with one another? Being the assistant steward/paddock master is very similar.

You are responsible to check the class listings to be sure that each back number entering the ring is in that class so learning to place a face with a back number will come in handy.

You will also be the first to know of any last minute adds or scratches to a class, this information is very important and should be communicated immediately to the announcer, ring steward and show secretary.

You will also at least one or two classes ahead start to look for exhibitors for that upcoming class, again in this instance learning to place faces with back numbers is key. If you know who you are looking for, they are not currently in the ring or warm up area you can have the announcer make a reminder call that back number xyz your class is coming up.

Know your organizations rules as you may be asked to check bits, spurs, and tail extensions prior to entry into the class.

You will be in communication with the Ring Steward and Announcer as the three of your will work closely together to ensure a smooth running show.

You will also be the 1st person exhibitors come to with questions, so be sure you know what class is in the ring, and what classes are coming next and be prepared to be interrupted.

Judges/Clinician: You’re the expert and professional that everyone looks to.

Dress professionally, no matter the size of the show.

Know the organizations rules, if you are carded you have already been tested, but if it’s a smaller show know what is accepted and expected.

Show up on time, and be sure you have directions to your show.

Have extra sets of patterns, a rule book, and judges cards with you.

 In General

Be on time.

Dress in clean, comfortable clothes.

If you smoke, do it in appropriate places and at appropriate times (while during a break and not while standing in the ring)

Don't abandon your post, if you need to run to the bathroom either time it to coincide with a break or have someone cover for you.

Be prepared for bad weather, keep rain gear in your car, or a change of clothes or jacket should the weather change during the day from warm to cold.

Know who to go to if you need help, have questions, or have an exhibitor that needs help.

Remember to smile, the day might get long the weather can be bad, your feet might hurt, and the exhibitors might not be so nice all the time, Just try to be patient, take a deep breath and keep smiling.