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What's next?

Rather than having an even lengthier newsletter, we have placed a couple of papers on separate pages on our web.

Vaccination and Eradication

One paper concerns the current vaccination program and the progress that it is making. There are some encouraging signs that the containment and eradication effort currently underway is finally making an impact and that an end to the crisis may be in sight, barring major new outbreaks. The bad news is that the estimated cost of fighting the outbreak is now approaching $36 million. At the next National Management Group (NMG) meeting this Friday, a decision will be taken on to how to continue.

The amount of $36 million is a key figure in that it was the agreed initial allocation based on 1 percent of the estimated Gross Value of Production (GVP) of the entire horse industry ($3.6 billion). Even worse news is that 'industry' is supposed to bear 80% of this. If the money is later 'collected' and is based on the number of horses in the industry, the Sport and Leisure (non-racing) sector will (again) bear the brunt of this because the number of horses is between three- and four-times that of the racing industry.

Make your voice heard

The other paper, called Add your voice to the call to get our sport back on track asks for your cooperation in the lobbying for addtional funds.

Our President Geoff Sinclair has had a number of meetings with key Federal politicians to update them on the effect the EI crisis has had on 'our' industry and to gain their support. Geoff was amazed to fiind out how few constituents had approached their parliamentary representatives put their case and ask for help.

Geoff adds:

'The social and economic impact that the horse flu has had on the Equestrian Industry in addition to the thousands of sick horses, has been far greater than most people and the government would ever have predicted. We are now just over two months into this outbreak and with a “best case” estimate of February/March 2008 to get back to normal, there is still a lot of pain to come for people employed and riders who normally enjoy their horses. The effect of virtually closing down events not only in NSW and QLD but also in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia has been severe across the board.

 

Our focus at National EFA level has been to work with and lobby the Federal Government to get the Equestrian Industry up and running on a long-term basis as soon as possible. Racing has already done this and is now permanently vaccinating race horses and breeding thoroughbreds. For us, planning what horses to vaccinate, where this should be done, who pays the first time and in the long term, how it is administered and checked and what happens to horses that live on properties with horses not registered as EFA performance horses, are all issues we are negotiating. It is essential there is a “national” solution, not just state-based, as the effects of EI are felt by us all in some way now and will be felt nationally for a long time. The recent extension to the federal government grant of $117 million, which benefits racing and equestrian, is a result of these talks.'

We encourage you to contact your State and Federal represetantives and Ministers to push for more assistance for our industry. You can find ministerial contact details here.

Visit our web on a regular basis

There are also many other stories and news that we have published on our web www.equestrian.org.au and more are added on an almost daily basis.

One article that has not appeared in the news is the fact that a new on-line event entry and registration system has been developed. Called RegMe, it offers many new features and more are being added as we speak. We cannot recommend it too highly. More details.

Supporters and Sponsors

I would like to thank our funding agencies, sponsors and supporters for their continued assistance.

In particular, we would like to mention

For more news and other information, please visit www.equestrian.org.au or your State Branch web (www.[state].equestrian.org.au).

Make it a good day, even if you you find it difficult!

Franz Venhaus
Chief Executive Officer
Alycia Targa and Neversfelde Kudu to represent Australia at FEI Young Rider World Cup Final
Twenty-one old Jervis Bay (NSW) rider Alycia Targa and Neversfelde Kudu will fly out of Sydney on 7 November for Frankfurt in Germany to compete at the 2007 FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in December. This will be the first time Australia has had a representative compete at the event.
» more
Further measures to ease the equine influenza burden
The National Management Group (NMG) overseeing the response to equine influenza has reaffirmed that the focus of the response continues to be control of the disease with a view to eradication. It also reaffirmed the importance it attaches to minimising the social and economic impact of the disease on horse owners through a number of new measures.
» more
FEI World Cup Jumping Australian League 2007-08 Season completed
After just five of the scheduled 14 qualifying rounds, the 2007-08 FEI World Cup Jumping Australian League season has been declared completed. Only the first three qualifiers (at Sydney Royal, Toowoomba and Brisbane Royal) were held in the eastern States before equine influenza forced the cancellation of all events for the remainder of the season. The only exceptions were the Perth Royal and Brigadoon (WA) qualifiers in October.
» more
EI forces major change to Olympic Dressage Team Qualification Process
The 2007 FEI Regional Olympic Dressage Qualification Event, which was scheduled to take place this week 24-28 October in conjunction with the 2007 Australian Dressage Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC), is among the hundreds of equestrian events that have been cancelled since 25 August as a result of the equine influenza outbreak.
» more
Lucinda Fredericks up with the Leaders at FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses
Lucinda Fredericks, riding the German Warmblood Prada (by Pik Junior) placed third for Australia in the FEI Young Horses (7 years) World Championships CCI** held over 18-21 October at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA). Lucinda finished on a score of 44.0.
» more
 Brigadoon CSI-W (WA)
Course designer Peter Cooke reports that the World Cup qualifier held in the indoor facilities at Brigadoon was a great success from both the sport’s and the EFA’s viewpoint. The event attracted a full house of spectators from the first class and saw a surprise, but worthy winner in Anna McGregor and Mandarin.
» more
Federal Government extends EI assistance package
Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran yesterday announced an extension of the Equine Influenza assistance package, making an additional $117 million available.
» more
Boyd Martin Shines at US Eventing Championship
Australian rider Boyd Martin took out 2nd and 4th places at the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) CCI*** Eventing Championship held over 18-21 October during the 19th Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country.
» more
EFA appoints National Communicatons Officer
The EFA National Office has appointed Christine Haigh as National Communications Officer, a part-time role starting today.
» more
Swan River Horse Trials
Following the cancellation of events in eastern Australia due to the EI outbreak, Swan River Horse Trials Club was given special leave by the FEI to add a CIC 3* to the program for the Brooker Swan River Horse Trials Event on 20-21 October. CIC 1 & 2* and a CICJ 1* classes were already on the program.
» more

 


Contact Us:

If you have any comments about this newsletter or our website, or want to contribute, you can email us. Equestrian Australia's postal address is:
PO Box 673, SYDNEY MARKETS, NSW, 2129
 

Tel: +61 2 8762 7777
Fax: +61 2 9763 2466
Email: info@equestrian.org.au

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