5 #LoveOfTheHorse AnnuAl RePORT 2017 – 2018 For the first time ever, we qualified a team in all disciplines at the WEG. This gives us a huge advantage in that we will not have the pressure of having no choice but to send riders and horses overseas to qualify. They can qualify in this country. Heartiest congratulations to all our riders and to Chris Webb, our High Performance Director and his staff, who with the guidance of Leigh Clifford and the High Performance Panel pulled it off. There is considerable discussion at the FEI about the future of WEG in its present format. The costs of accommodating all the sports at one event are formidable. The concept of a World Championship in all the sports is beyond dispute. The enormity of presenting the event in its present form is the challenge. We will engage with the FEI, monitor the discussion and make our contribution in due course. Participation and Development Participation and the development of our sport has the support and interest of Sport Australia. Equestrian is well advanced in the development of a system which will encourage new participants to grow our sport. We can be proud and delighted with our new participation platform Rideahorse.com.au. Tracey Vardy, our Athlete Pathway Specialist, has worked tirelessly over the past year to provide a pathway from our well-established ‘Ready Set Trot’ program to ‘Trot Canter Gallop’. The aim is to provide graduation for junior beginners to a riding program for high school aged riders, and soon one to attract riders to Vaulting. EA Coaches will be encouraged to participate in the program, as will riding centres across the country. The program is supported by a grant from Sport Australia. I have heard it said many times by members “Why is members money spent on High Performance and the Pathways Program?” It is important for our members to recognise that both the High Performance program and the Participation/Development program are entirely funded by Sport Australia. Members money is not expended in either of these programs. The expenditure of funds is strictly monitored by Sport Australia. EA reports and submits details of the expenditure on a quarterly basis. All accounts are audited at the end of the financial year. Insurance The cost of insurance has risen significantly in the 2018 financial year. This has particularly impacted on our coaches, whose registration costs have doubled. EA has worked tirelessly with Gow Gates to keep the costs as low as possible. Other providers were consulted, but we were unable to find an insurer who could provide the same level of coverage as that provided by Gow Gates. EA Coaches have the option of finding their own source of insurance if they so choose, but we have been at pains to ask our coaches to ensure that the same level of coverage is given. Rigorous questioning and ongoing examination of the policy offered is required. Gow Gates will again present the afternoon of the AGM, to provide our members with a full explanation of the reasons for the increase. Lucy Warhurst, our new CEO, joined EA in August 2018. She attended our first Sports Forum in August, on her first day at the office! Plain speaking featured in the forum, but Lucy was not deterred. Lucy now faces the challenges we all share. I hope we can all constructively help her as she faces the ups and downs of leadership of EA. I would like to thank my fellow EA Board members for the enormous support that you have offered. We have been confronted by some very difficult times, but together we have consulted and found a way forward. We have been a united force for stability and transparency in our management. Our new initiatives of Sports Forums, involving the State Boards, their CEO’s, and NDC’s bodes well, for a future which provides unity and transparency in governance and innovation for our sport. Our riders require us to channel our energy to solve the challenges we face through co-operative discussion. We must not fear change, but grasp the opportunity to meet the expectations of our stakeholders with willingness and optimism. United we stand. The alternative is unthinkable. Judy Fasher Chair Equestrian Australia Equestrian Australia Board of Directors Judy Fasher – Chair Leigh Clifford Christopher Styring Gillian Rolton Mark Hopkinson Daniel Stoneman Danid Lindh Mark Arthur Suzanne Doyle
 Catherine Friday CHAIR REPORT