From the Board – May 2026

This month, the Board held its first Members Forum for 2026, bringing together directors, members and stakeholders for an open discussion on the challenges, priorities and future direction of the sport.

Chaired by Board Chair Nick Ballard, the forum focused on governance, finances, technology improvements, grassroots participation and member engagement, with directors addressing more than 30 pre-submitted member questions.

A Focus on Transparency and Stability

Opening the forum, Nick acknowledged the frustrations many members have experienced over the past year and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“You’re all here because you care about this sport, and we do too,” Nick said. “Every single person on this board is a volunteer. We give our time, our energy, and our own resources because we love equestrian sport and believe in its future.”

The Board emphasised that the past six months have involved addressing several inherited challenges, including governance matters, financial pressures and the rollout of the EA Member Portal (JustGo).

The forum also highlighted EA’s ongoing relationship with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), with directors reiterating that the ASC is a collaborative funding partner rather than a governing authority over EA operations.

EA Member Portal Update

A major topic of discussion was the rollout of the EA Member Portal (JustGo).

Deputy Chair Nicky Rockwell acknowledged the significant frustration experienced by members and clubs during the transition, describing the concerns as “real and completely justified.”

Following a review of the original implementation process, the Board stated it believes JustGo is the correct long-term platform for the organisation, but that the rollout timeline and data migration process created major challenges.

Nicky explained that the compressed implementation timeframe and incomplete historical data handover significantly impacted the launch process.

Despite those difficulties, the Board reported that a wide range of core functions are now operational, including:

• Membership renewals and upgrades
• Horse registrations and transfers
• Competition licences
• Club registrations
• Digital membership cards
• Affiliate management

Additional functionality currently in development or testing includes:

• Horse Finder and Club Finder tools
• Results display functions
• Entry check capabilities
• Expanded club management tools
• Automated credential expiry alerts

EA also announced that a dedicated EA Member Portal progress page will soon launch on the EA website, allowing members to track upcoming releases, view available functionality and access “how-to” guides.

Governance and Communication

Director Brad Frankum addressed member questions relating to governance, confidentiality and board operations.

Brad reiterated that the Board operates independently and is committed to improving communication and transparency while still meeting its legal obligations around confidentiality and procedural fairness.

“Confidentiality is not secrecy — it’s responsible governance,” Brad said.

The Board confirmed that:

• Governance reforms and policy reviews are ongoing
• New independent chairs have been appointed to the Nominations Committee and Fees & Levies Committee
• Collaboration with state branches has increased significantly
• Weekly meetings are being held with state representatives to improve alignment and shared decision-making

The Board also committed to improving future governance updates by including clearer explanations of decisions, outcomes and rationale in “plain English” summaries.

Financial Position and Membership

EA directors provided an overview of the organisation’s current financial position while noting that audited figures will be formally presented at the 2026 AGM.

Current national membership was reported at approximately 19,381 members.

The Board acknowledged membership numbers are lower than desired but pushed back against claims of “catastrophic decline,” noting that competition participation in several disciplines remains strong, with some events currently operating at capacity.

The Board emphasised that member fees do not fund high-performance programs, which are funded separately through ASC grants.

EA also outlined ongoing cost-saving measures, including:

• Reduced contractor and external service expenditure
• Internal operational restructuring
• Supplier contract reviews
• Restrictions on discretionary spending

Fees and Levies Review

Nicky outlined the principles guiding the 2026–27 Fees and Levies Review, describing the process as focused on balancing affordability with the long-term sustainability of the sport.

The review is being overseen by a committee comprising:

• An independent chair
• Two state representatives
• One Board representative

The Board stated that affordability, sustainability and reducing financial pressure on members and clubs are central considerations in the current review process.

Updated fees and levies are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Grassroots Participation and Volunteers

Director Brett Cantle reinforced the Board’s view that grassroots participation remains at the heart of EA’s priorities.

“EA is grassroots,” Brett said, noting that the majority of members participate at club and community level.

Discussion focused on:

• Coach development and accreditation
• Volunteer and official recognition
• Interschool participation
• Safety standards
• Inclusion and accessibility initiatives

Brett also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of volunteer fatigue across clubs and event organising committees.

“If we want more competitions, we need more people to step forward,” he said.

Members also raised important topics around:

• Regional judge shortages
• Accessibility infrastructure such as mounting ramps and blocks
• Succession planning
• Travel support for regional interschool riders
• Stronger collaboration with Pony Club organisations

The Board welcomed these contributions and committed to further consultation with members and committees.

High Performance and Grassroots Connection

Athlete Director Jade Findlay spoke about the relationship between grassroots participation and high-performance pathways, emphasising that elite athletes remain an important source of inspiration within the sport.

“What makes sport amazing is that we all start at grassroots,” Jade said.

She also reiterated that high-performance funding is entirely separate from member fees and is funded directly through the ASC.

Looking Ahead

Closing the forum, Nick thanked members for their engagement, patience and ongoing commitment to equestrian sport.

“We are not a distant board,” he said. “We are riders, volunteers and horse people just like you.”

EA confirmed that the next quarterly members forum is planned for September 2026, with details to be announced shortly.