4 EA considers that competition between providers of services for event entries is important. There is no suggestion that we will deviate from the plan of encouraging competition between providers, because it is well recognised that organising committees, usually volunteers, need a system that can deliver the curent and future IT needs of equestrian sport. EA needs an innovative media and technology strategy to move into the future. Safety our on-going challenge When Terry Snow gave EA $250,000, the biggest contribution EA has ever received from an individual, EA was given the ability to engage Roger Kane, as our National Safety Officer. Roger has worked with organising committees, EA and the State Branches to facilitate a truly extensive examination of the safety requirements of our sport. The major emphasis to date has been in Eventing, this is because of the tragic deaths of both Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn Fischer. The funds Terry gave have been augmented by the Olivia Inglis Foundation, which has been generous in its support of the provision of frangible devices for our eventing courses. Safety does not end with eventing, all our other sports need to pay heed to the best possible safety support the sport can offer. EA is inspired to offer the best to all our participants and will work tirelessly to ensure that across all disciplines we advise, consult and co-operate to make progress on all safety and risk fronts Commercial The position of Commercial Manager, has been that of Tristan Prosser Shaw for the past two years. Tristan’s contract finished in June of this year but it was decided not to renew the position, because despite his very significant efforts, the income he was able to generate for EA was insufficient. This was in no way due to a lack of effort on his part. Bluntly, what Equestrian is able to offer commercial sponsors at this time, is insufficient to attract interest for the big dollars to flow. If we are to generate significant commercial sponsorship and increase our revenue, we must maximise the potential we offer by co-ordinating national and state programs for our competitions. The role our National Committees play is vital, but it is far from easy to co-ordinate rational change to our calendar, because the events depend almost entirely on volunteer contribution. Organisers across the country have well established dates and find change difficult. EA will continue to negotiate with event organisers, in order to provide the structure and climate which will increase revenues for our major competitions. Coaching Our coaches are the backbone of our sport because they provide at all levels of expertise an opportunity for riders to receive excellent advice and guidance. Our coaching scheme began in the 1960’s and has developed a system which has meant there is general agreement across the sport, as to the skills and standards required for Equestrian Sports. When the Australian Sports Commission, now Sport Australia, decided that the NCAS scheme would no longer be part of its remit, it was considered by some to be the end of our coaching scheme. This is most certainly not the case. We have 1,251 registered coaches. There are coaching committees in all states (volunteers), and there will be a National Coaching Committee (volunteers), established through consultation with the State Branches and their committees. The role of National Coaching Director has yet to be discussed. Once the National Coaching Committee is appointed, discussions will take place to determine the future of this role.. Officials EA, through its representations to the FEI, played a part in changing the mindset regarding the retirement age of 70 years for our FEI Judges and Officials. EA combined forces with New Zealand and has made continued submissions on behalf of our Judges and Officials. Mary Seefried represented us at the 2017 General Assembly and made a significant contribution to this outcome. The FEI’s Officials Working Group is introducing a competency-based evaluation system to replace the age limit. FEI have been helpful to Australian-based officials, by extending their age limit, in the hope that the system will be up and running very soon. The evaluation system, based on ‘quality and ability’, will be welcomed and valued by our excellent judges, officials and organising committees. High Performance and WEG WEG 2018 should not really be part of this report, but by the time the next Chair’s report is published, it will be in the lead up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It seems ridiculous not to mention WEG 2018 now. Boyd Exell won Gold for Carriage Driving, an outstanding result for a competitor who only weeks before WEG broke his ankle. Boyd is much loved by his Australian Carriage Driving community, and comes regularly to Australia to share his expertise and conduct clinics. He is a big supporter of Carriage Driving in his country of origin. It was a spectacular triumph for our Olympic Sports: Eventing, Jumping, Dressage and Para in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. CHAIR REPORT