Serious Competition

The "Return of the Horse" series of events is about to "sign off" with the Sydney CDI 3-Star International Dressage Event. All seats in the Indoor for the Saturday evening performances sold out two weeks ago, and the catered VIP tickets for the night were snatched up by eager CDI fans two months ago. Program and other information at www.sydneycdi.com. The weather was not too kind to the Sydney International Three-Day Event and the 2007 ISS Australian Jumping Championships, which ran concurrently at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, but at least the cross-country stayed dry until the last rider had completed the course. The new cover over the grand stand in SIEC's main arena got its baptism on Sunday. The rain did not affect riders and horses. Our congratulations to the new Champions! Federal Government funding helps our Olympic preparations The EFA was successful with its application for an additional $1.5 million to assist riders in the preparation and qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games. Equine Influenza had led to the cancellation of many important events in Australia. A number of riders had no choice but to relocate to the Northern Hemisphere in an effort to "catch up". The additional funding will enable the EFA to provide the required support to riders to get the best (still) possible preparation for the Games. We would like express our gratitude to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr. Tony Burke, and the Minister for Sport, Ms. Kate Ellis, for their personal efforts in convincing the Prime Minister of the merits of our proposal. The funding has been arranged through the Australian Sports Commission. We thank the Commission and also the Australian Olympic Committee for their support in securing the grant. Let's hope we can "pay back" with excellent performances at the Olympic Games. A number of riders and horses have already moved overseas and a few more are to follow. Please go to our web site www.equestrian.org.au to keep yourself informed of their progress and particularly of the results of the main qualification and nomination events. The Callinan Inquiry and related matters (Quoting from a DAFF Press Release:) The Commissioner of the Inquiry into the Outbreak of Equine Influenza in Australia in August 2007, the Hon. Ian Callinan AC, has provided his report to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. The Commissioner was appointed by the previous Government in September 2007 to investigate the outbreak of equine influenza. He was asked to report on the circumstances contributing to the outbreak of the disease and on the need for any strengthened biosecurity procedures for the quarantine management of imported horses. Mr Burke said he would consider Justice Callinan’s report and findings in detail before providing a public response. “I will take the time needed to thoroughly review the report before making any comment or decision on the recommendations,” Mr Burke said. “It is my intention that the report will be publicly released once it has been considered by the Government.” Following the release of the report, the Government will consult with a range of industry sectors on the future handling of imported horses, including the racing, breeding and recreational sectors. No-one knows exactly when the release will take place but the assumption is that the Government will want to formulate a response to the report's recommendation. Connected with the report is the Federal Government's approach to any recovery of the cost incurred in containing and eradicating the Equine Influenza virus in this country and cost-sharing arrangements for any future outbreaks of exotic diseases (not just EI) affecting our native horse population, an issue that concerns us all. There is also another independent review of Australia's quarantine and biosecurity systems underway. It is being undertaken by an independent panel of experts chaired by Roger Beale AO, a Senior Associate with the Allen Consulting Group. The panel’s other members are: Dr Jeff Fairbrother AM, Andrew Inglis AM and David Trebeck. Submissions to the review closed last Monday and the panel is expected to submit its report to Minister Burke by 30 September 2008. You can find further details on the review's web http://www.quarantinebiosecurityreview.gov.au/. Finally, I ought to mention that there will be a workshop on quarantine/biosecurity-related matters in Sydney in the middle of June, which will be attended by a range of stakeholders. It seems that the question of ongoing vaccination, particularly of the race horses, will be the main topic. EFA Athletes' Commission The National Board has amended the EFA Membership & Committee By-Laws to provide for the establishment of an EFA Athletes' Commission in 2009. The arrangements will be in line with the By-Laws of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and will enable the EFA to nominate athletes to the AOC's Athletes' Commission. The EFA Athletes' Commission will consist of the "athletes' representatives" of the various EFA Sports (Disciplines) that have such representative on their National Committee. The Commission must include members of both genders and the National Board may appoint an additional three athletes. The functions of Commission are: 1. The Commission will represent the views of athletes in the Federation and will advise the EFA National Board on any matters relating to the Sport. 2. At all meetings of the Commission, at general meetings and at meetings of the National Board, members of the Athletes’ Commission must act solely in the best interests of the EFA and its members as a whole. The National Board is also committed to appoint as a Director one of the rider-elected representatives from the Olympic Disciplines to the National Board. The appointee will be one who the Board considers by virtue of qualifications and background will assist the Company attain its objectives. This is a requirement of the AOC By-Laws. A changing National Board - Call for Nominations Two of the longer-serving directors on the National Board, Alexi Kentish and Geoff Sinclair, who is also our present Chairman, will have to stand down at the next Annual General Meeting in November. Both may re-nominate after a break of one year. Two other Directors, Mary Seefried and Kerry Brydon, have another year to go before facing the same enforced break. That makes the Board situation rather exciting. One of the big questions will be who will take over as Chair after Geoff Sinclair's "retirement" in November. We are now calling for nominations from suitably qualified members who believe they can serve as Directors and can, with their sport, business or professional experience, contribute to the governance and direction of the Federation. The Board will ask the Branches to elect two Directors to fill the forthcoming vacancies and may also appoint one other Director to take up office at any time. You can find more information including links to forms and other documents on our web. 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival The deadline for nominations to represent Australia in Dressage or Jumping at this Olympic Games-style event is approaching fast. As mentioned last month, Australia will be fielding one or two teams in each of the Disciplines, with three riders in Dressage and four in Jumping. There may be up to six foreign nations taking part. It remains to be seen which countries will send teams in which disciplines, but surely the demand for loan horses will be greater than it was in 2005 when a total of six teams competed in each Discipline, with three teams each from Australia. The generous owners who provided their horses had a great time being part of the event. So if you would like to make a suitable horse available, you can be part of the excitement and enjoy the company of the visiting teams. For more information, go to the AYOF page on our web. The IOC has obviously taken note of what has been happening in Australia and will now stage its own Youth Olympic Games. The inaugural Games will take place in Singapore in 2010 and Equestrian will have Jumping as a participating discipline, on borrowed horses, of course. Find out more .... Nathan Holman reports on Education activities Carriage Driving “Introduction and Level 1 Coach and Personal Driving Skills” workbooks released Over the past 18 months the EFA National office in association with the EFA National Driving Committee and other driving specialists has been working to re-develop the EFA NCAS Introductory and Level 1 Carriage Driving Coach accreditation scheme. These workbooks have now been finalised and are available for purchase through the EFA. There are three Carriage Driving workbooks that are available for purchase through the EFA Shop Coaching Resource Order Form Introductory and Level 1 Carriage Driving Personal Driving Skills (sold as one workbook) $55.00 Introductory Carriage Driving Coach $77.00 Level 1 Carriage Driving Coach $110.00 FEI Eventing Course The EFA will be running an FEI Eventing Course for Judges, Technical Delegates and Course Designers from the 6 to 9 June at Werribee, Melbourne. The course is available for any Eventing official wishing to be promoted from National to FEI Candidate International, and Candidate to International status and those wishing to maintain their current FEI status. For further information and detailed information pack including application form, please visit: FEI Eventing Officials Course. Sports Leadership Grants for Women - Apply for your share of $400,000 Are you a leader in sport? The Sport Leadership Grants for Women provide funding and support for women to seek accredited training and education in coaching, officiating, governance and management. Grants of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organisations are available in five categories: high performance coaching and officiating; Indigenous sport; disability sport; culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and general sport leadership. For further information please visit the ASC Sports Leadership Grants for Women. Chief Measurers Course On Sunday, 27 April, the EFA ran a Measurers Course for all current Chief and Assistant Chief Measurers from each of the States, with every State in attendance. The course was run to re-launch the revised EFA Measuring Rules, update the existing Chief / Assistant Measurers on the EFA NOAS Measuring Accreditation scheme and to standardise the process of measuring across all states. Measuring has traditionally been required mainly for Show Horse but is now a requirement for Pony Dressage, Pony Carriage Driving and Interschools. Over the coming weeks a measuring workbook will be available for EFA members to work through and complete before achieving EFA NOAS Measuring accreditation. 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 the Australian Sports Commission, our Principal Sponsor, the Australian Olympic Committee, Horseland Kentucky Equine Research and Ridley Agriproducts, Horse Deals magazine, and Aon Risk Management Services. 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! Franz Venhaus Chief Executive Officer

Calling for nominations for election to the National Board The second term for two Directors will expire at the 2008 AGM in November. This will create two vacancies to be filled by elections by the Branches.

Sonja Johnson and Ringwould Jaguar win Sydney CCI*** Having moved into the lead after the cross-country and after Angela Shacklady's 'All Luck' ridden by Shane Rose did not pass the Horse Inspection, Sonja and Ringwould Jaguar held on in the Jumping Test.

Chris Chugg and Vivant National Jumping Champions In a nail-biting finish, Chris Chugg and Vivant became the stars of the 2007 ISS EFA Australian Jumping Championships, held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in April 2008 after the original dates had to be cancelled following the outbreak of Equine Influenza.

Rozzie Ryan third in the GP Freestyle at Hagen (GER) Rozzie Ryan on Donner Carrera were the best placed of the six Australian riders competing at the CDI 3* Hagen last weekend. Well done Rozzie!

Edwina Alexander pre-nominated for the Olympic Games The jumping selectors have announced that Edwina Alexander has been pre-nominated for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Kristy Oatley and Quando-Quando pre-nominated for the Olympic Games The dressage selectors have announced that Kristy Oatley and Quando-Quando have been pre-nominated for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Endurance riders qualify for World Championships- a report on the Upper Murray Challenge Brook Sample and Meg Wade are the first riders from Australia to qualify for the 2008 Endurance World Championships to be held in Malaysia in November.

Report from CSIO 2* in Korea Australian Riders Stephen Dingwall, Rebecca Crack and Melissa Froesch represented Australia on borrowed horses at a CSIO2* in Seoul, Korea from 15-19 April 2008.

Phillip Dutton & Connaught win Rolex Kentucky 4-Star - Boyd =9th, Cammy 11th Roving reporter Jim Dunn reports from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

The Copabella Classic – a great weekend of jumping The 2008 Copabella Classic enjoyed a record number of entries, fine weather and a sizeable crowd.

Heath Ryan has been added to Dressage Elite Squad Heath Ryan has been added to the Elite Dressage Squad, which is also the Olympic Shadow Team.

Olympic short list named The dressage selectors have named the 'Short List' for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Chugg wins in the Orchard Chris Chugg and Vivant won the JK Williams Grand Prix at the JK Williams Showjumping Classic on Sunday.

Thank you Mr. Rudd The Rudd Labor Government today confirmed that they will provide the EFA with $1.5 million to assist with preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games in the wake of the Equine Influenza crisis.

The 2008 Hamag EFA Victoria National Young Rider Championships This was one of the first multi-state events for dressage since the the equine influenza outbreak and it was great to see everyone out competing again.

Johnson & Johnson gives $10,000 to Olympic Equestrians' families The panel of the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program have given $10,000 to the families and support members of riders selected for the 2008 Olympic Games to help ease the financial strain of riders’ families in the wake of Equine Influenza.

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