End-of-Year Rash Rush
June was full of meetings and trips, partly in preparation for a new financial and planning year, partly to review progress against plans and to tidy-up some outstanding items.
Northern Territory Branch
Former Chairman Russ Withers, EFA Queensland Branch General Manager Rob Ferguson and I went to Alice Springs and Darwin to meet with members of the NT Branch to discuss the amalgamation of the Branch with Queensland.
The meetings involved frank but constructive debate about the benefits of such merger, which would still leave Northern Territory members with their “NT identity” for events and competitions.
Members were asked to advise the National Office of what they saw as their top priorities (still to be received). The Qld. Branch and the National Office will draft a plan for the NT with details of the support initiatives that will help the sport make progress in the NT in the next couple of years.
Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA)
Since the affiliation agreement with AERA is due for renewal at the end of this year, I took the opportunity of meeting with a number of senior Endurance Officials and administrators during a visit to the Nanango CEI*** Endurance Ride.
The atmosphere was friendly and warm, in contrast to the weather, which gave me a chill on my back. Being there was a great learning experience. Endurance is a family sport that has been one of the most rapidly growing disciplines of the FEI. France is probably leading in terms of participant and event numbers.
The AERA International Committee is meeting this weekend and will include in its deliberations ways of closer cooperation and possible integration with the EFA.
National Board meets with State Branch Chairmen
The Board met in Sydney on Saturday, 16 June. You can download a summary of the business conducted during this short meeting. The highlight of the weekend was a ground-breaking meeting with the Chairs of the State Branches conducted on Sunday in a very congenial and productive atmoshpere, followed an ice-breaking dinner the evening before.
The gathering addressed a wide range of issues and emphasised the need for all parts of this Federation to work together and in the same direction. You can download the minutes of the meeting.
Beijing Athlete Program
One other important meeting worth mentioning here was with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) to review the Beijing Athlete Program (BAP) and other High Performance matters. The meeting, which was also attended by Head Coach Wayne Roycroft, National Vet Denis Goulding, National Dressage Chair Lesley Sullivan and, of course, High Performance Manager Brett Mace, was very productive. The EFA and the sport of Equestrian has improved its “standing” in the eyes of Government sport administrators in the last few years and we are working very hard on developing this good relationship even further. The success of our riders at the 2008 Beijing Games (for Equestrian in Hong Kong), will naturally have some influence on future funding levels, although with the extreme weather conditions expected there, anything is possible. Our “longitudinal” track record, particularly with its recent upswing, will stay our foundation but medals will always make a difference.
Other High Performance Matters – Brett Mace reports
National Dressage Clinic with Ralf Isselhorst
Most of our Australian Dressage Riders based in Europe have for the past month already been working with our new National Dressage Trainer Ralf Isselhorst at shows such as Wiesbaden, Lingen and Balve. Now our Australia-based Squad riders had the opportunity to meet Ralf at a National Dressage Clinic held 27 – 30 June in Glenorie, Sydney. More ...
National Jumping Clinics with Gilbert Böckmann
As the countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games begins in earnest, National Jumping Technical Director Gilbert Böckmann will visit again to work with National Jumping Squad.
Gilbert start in Australia’s west where he will conduct EFA High Performance Program-funded clinics for National & State Squad riders in WA on 17/18 July and then in South Australia on 19/20 July.
Following this, Gilbert will travel to the Elysian Fields Show in Queensland where a program titled ‘National Jumping Olympic Development Week’ for National Squad Riders will be conducted 21 – 30 July. During this week, riders will meet with Gilbert for detailed video analysis and case management where their program leading up to Olympic Selection will be discussed in detail. Veterinary checks on all National squad horses will be undertaken while the Jumping High Performance Panel will conduct a briefing outlining the program for Olympic Selection.
Gilbert’s next visit to Australia will be in conjunction with the Australian Jumping Championships to be held in Canberra 11 to 14 October. Clinics will be held in NSW and Victoria following these Championships.
Warm-Up Event for the Dressage Olympic Regional Qualifier
A ‘warm up’ event for combinations in contention for the Australian Team for the above event will take place on Friday, 14 September during the Sydney International Three-Day Event at SIEC. The class will be held during the lunch break of the Dressage Day of the 3DE to allow National Dressage Selectors to assess the current form of the combinations in contention. The last major competition took place back in May at the Toowoomba CDI-W. The Dressage High Performance Panel appreciates the support of the Organising Committee of the Sydney International 3DE in conducting this event as Australia seeks to qualify a Dressage Team for the 2008 Olympic Games.
2007 National Squads
The National Selection Panels for Eventing, Jumping and Dressage are currently undertaking their mid-year review of all National Squads. Once these reviews have been completed, the revised Squads will be posted on the EFA website.
Hong Kong Jockey Club – Vacancy
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is closely involved with the venue preparations for the Equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is looking for people interested in applying for the position of Riding School Manager/Instructor. You can download a Position Description.
National Office
And talking about vacancies, The National Office is now advertising for a National Education Manager. Brad Paterson is leaving us to pursue a career in commercial property management. We thank Brad for the contribution he has made in re-shaping and broadening the EFA's education programs. The recruitment process is handled by Rob McCluskey of Sportspeople.
Niki Chapman is presently reducing her hours in the office and will concentrate full-time on her business and riding once her replacement has been "inducted". We thank Niki for her commitment to her job and the sport and know that she will stay in touch.
Upcoming Events
You can find details of many events of the event calendar of the EFA National Web or any of the EFA State Branch webs. Here is a listing downloaded from the National Web for July:
Supporters and Sponsors
I cannot close without thanking our funding agencies, sponsors and supporters.
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!
Franz Venhaus
Chief Executive Officer
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