Message from the Board - April 2024

It has been a busy few months across the country, with events and activity in all of our disciplines. We hope that you have had the opportunity to enjoy the sport, wherever you are located. 

Good progress has been made on the ongoing reform and restructure of Equestrian Australia, and on behalf of the Board, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update. 

In late 2023 we met with a host of stakeholders at a Strategic Forum to plan for the future of the sport. Two important topics that were discussed were ‘Membership categories and fees’ and ‘Discipline Committee structure and responsibilities ’.  

Currently, there is no one consistent approach to membership options or fees, with different fees in every state. We are exploring various options to ensure that the membership categories align with the needs of our diverse community and participants.

The aim is to create a structure that is inclusive, easily understandable and caters to the different levels of involvement in the sport.

We understand the importance of setting fees that are reasonable, fair, and reflective of the services and benefits provided to our members. Ensuring equity for all members, regardless of their location, discipline, or involvement in the sport, is a key consideration. The Board is exploring ways to create a fee structure that provides opportunities and benefits to all members. We are committed to addressing any existing disparities and creating a fair framework that promotes the growth and development of equestrian sports across the country.

Under the proposed new model, the discipline committees will play a greater role in shaping their disciplines, and so we must ensure they have the necessary skills and background to operate each discipline. The work to define discipline committee structure and roles has already identified the importance of having diverse perspectives and expertise within these committees. The structure must foster a strong partnership between the national discipline committee and state and local organising committees and ensure effective coordination for sharing best practices and knowledge. The Board is also actively exploring funding models and mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of resources and support for all disciplines across the country.

We want to assure you that the new structure of Equestrian Australia will have the best interests of our members and the sport at the forefront. We value your input and encourage you to submit any feedback or suggestions you may have to [email protected]. Together, we can shape a stronger and more inclusive future for equestrian sport in Australia.

Christie Freeman - Chair