Photo – © Jane Thompson – Kirsty & Shoot the Breeze
Congratulations to June’s ESNZ Volunteer of the Month, Kirsty Sharapoff from Eventing Canterbury!
Marg Evans from Eventing Canterbury and ESNZ Eventing Sports Manager Eliza Johns describe Kirsty as someone who “leads by example” and is the ultimate all-rounder who packs an enormous amount into every day.
Kirsty has been riding for many years in Canterbury collecting awards and prizes in eventing, jumping, dressage and showing!!!
“As well as riding at 4* level she is an absolute asset to eventing in Canterbury,” says Eliza. “She plays an active role in organising practice days and express events as well as six horse trials.”
“One of Kirsty’s greatest assets is her communication skills,” says Marg. “She manages to get riders, sponsors and committee members ‘on side’. She absolutely leads by example when it comes to attending working bees, meetings etc and generally being positive. She packs so much into her day, remembering that she is a fulltime teacher as well as competing, giving back to the sport and supporting younger riders.”
Kirsty was the South Island Riders Rep in 2015, has been involved with Eventing Canterbury throughout this time and took over as chairperson in 2018.
Kirsty showed great initiative when we all went into Covid-19 lockdown and the last Eventing Canterbury event had to be cancelled.
“Kirsty consulted with the sponsors – who obviously were not going to have a presence at the event but had committed to the whole season – and set up a competition for each class/sponsor on Facebook for riders to enter. It created a lot of interest – and laughter – and winners were selected and importantly, the sponsors were happy!” says Marg.
Thank you so much Kirsty for your commitment, your phenomenal energy, exemplary leadership and great ideas. Not only are you an excellent all-round equestrian but someone whose contribution ensures the future viability and ongoing success of our sport.
Our sport is in safe hands with Kirsty and our other wonderful volunteers like her who quietly go about the business of sustaining our sport. Next time you are so lucky to be on the receiving end of our volunteers’ generosity, please take a moment to thank them.
ESNZ Volunteer of the Month receives a gift in recognition of their contribution; Kirsty’s is on its way to her.
You can nominate your ESNZ Volunteer of the Month by emailing us at [email protected] with Volunteer of the Month in the subject line.
Please provide this information along with a photo of your nominee:
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