From the CEO - January 2026

Welcome to the first members newsletter of 2026.

The year ahead is already shaping up to be a busy and purposeful one for Equestrian Australia, and our team has started 2026 with strong momentum and clear priorities. Across the organisation, work is well underway as we focus on strengthening our operations and supporting the continued growth of equestrian sport nationwide.

In February, we will hold the second National Strategy Workshop that will help guide how the organisation develops a whole of sport strategy for the next 10 years. This workshop will bring together Equestrian Australia Board and senior staff, The Chairs of the State Branch’s and representatives from the National Discipline Committees to align our strategic direction, sharpen our focus, and ensure our efforts are centred on delivering value to members. The results from theMember and Club Survey will considered and I want to thank the members that participated in the survey. 

As part of this work, we are undertaking a review of membership related policies to ensure they align with best practice, contemporary governance standards, and the expectations of our community. Maintaining respectful and appropriate behaviour online is essential to the wellbeing of our sport and I want to remind members of the importance of adhering to the Social Media Policy. We encourage you to think carefully before posting, by asking yourself whether your content is respectful, factual, and consistent with EA's values. Equestrian Australia maintains a zero tolerance approach to conduct that falls outside these expectations. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. 

I look forward to working with you throughout the year ahead.

Ben Houston
Acting CEO, Equestrian Australia