23 #LoveOfTheHorse AnnuAl RePORT 2017 – 2018 This year the Equestrian Australia Vaulting Committee (EAVC) has decided to take a more active role in the direction of the sport of vaulting in Australia. With both new members and chair, the committee has worked on getting better communication between the state committees, members and the EAVC. The aim is to get all the states and the EAVC working towards the same goals of developing our sport at a grassroots level, while continuing to support our higher level and international athletes. This is proving to be a little more complicated than originally thought, as many states have their own dynamics and issues, but we are making progress. We are planning to have a meeting of all state chairs and the EAVC during our National Championships to discuss the main issues and come up with a united way forward for all states and the EAVC. One of the concerns raised this year has been with the club insurance offered by Equestrian Australia. Many clubs felt that the cost of this insurance was too high for the small clubs to afford. The EAVC formed a working group, made up of representatives from around the country, to look into whether there was a way club insurance could fit in better with the general structure of Vaulting clubs. Most Vaulting clubs are small, normally less than fifteen members, so this group coordinated by Tony Richardson (SA) has been discussing options with several sources. Another working group newly formed was the Scoring and Data group coordinated by Lisbeth Betts (QLD). This group was formed to address the many changes in the scoring and judging system for Vaulting. Over the past couple of years the FEI have evolved and changed the way that our sport is judged and scored, due to the continual dynamic development of new moves and expression that the vaulters have created. To comply with the FEI changes, we have had to change our scoring system too. This group is also looking to develop a national database of results and an athlete leader board, working in with EA and Nominate to come up with the best solution for Vaulting. This year we have also gained a new FEI 3* Vaulting judge which will make a huge difference in our ability to organise and run FEI events in Australia. In the past we had to invite several overseas judges to Australia to meet the FEI standards for judging at FEI events. Now with another FEI3* judge, the cost of hosting such events has become more affordable and cost effective, so it is hoped that more FEI Vaulting events will be able to be organised in Australia. In summary, by the end of the year the EAVC are hoping to have a plan and development stratagem in place that will enable us to assist at the grassroots level, while still encouraging our higher-level vaulters, working in conjunction with the state committees for implementation. In September the EAVC received sad news that one of its members Jane Beaverstock suddenly passed away. This came as a great shock to all members and the Vaulting community. The loss of Jane will greatly diminish the EAVC as she was one of our young and enthusiastic members with many new and interesting ideas. Our heart felt condolences go out to Jane’s family and friends, she will be greatly missed. Gail Beattie Equestrian Australia Vaulting Committee Chair Equestrian Australia Vaulting Committee Gail Beattie - Chair Darren Federick Sarah Hocking Lyn Lynch Tony Richardson Ellen Vincent – Riders representative VAULTING Ginger Kennett competing at 2017 NSW State Interschools