From the Board - January 2026

Dear Members,

The Board would like to wish all members a happy New Year and welcome you to the first newsletter of 2026. We hope you enjoyed a positive start to the year and are looking ahead to the season with optimism.

Deputy Chair Appointment
The Board met last week for its first meeting of 2026, marking a strong and constructive beginning to the year. At this meeting, the Board elected Nicky Rockwell as Deputy Chair. We warmly welcome Nicky to the role and look forward to her contribution as part of the Board leadership team.

Nicky brings to the Deputy Chair role a deep connection to the equestrian community as both an AOR dressage participant and parent of a child competing at FEI level in Dressage and Eventing. Her extensive governance experience across sporting committees, combined with 20 years as CEO of Rockwell Information Services, provides the Board with valuable strategic leadership, people management expertise, and a proven track record in driving organisational growth and compliance. This blend of equestrian passion and corporate leadership makes her well-suited to support the Board’s vision for the future of our sport.

Member Engagement
A key focus of the meeting was member and stakeholder engagement, particularly ensuring that feedback from across our community is captured ahead of the National Strategy Workshop next month. The first initiative in this process is the member survey, and the Board strongly encourages all members to participate. Your feedback plays an important role in helping shape future priorities for the organisation.

The Board also discussed current Director and Board Sub Committee vacancies and has committed to commencing the process to fill all roles immediately. Strengthening governance capability remains a priority as we move into the year ahead.

State Chairs Meeting
Earlier this week, the State Chairs and the new Equestrian Australia Board came together to discuss the next steps in defining the future of our sport.

Following the productive meeting held in Sydney last October, we are coming together in Melbourne with the NDCs and CEO’s to finalise our strategic plan. This work focuses on reorganising and strengthening the administration of equestrian sport for the future.

Collaboration like this is key to building a strong, sustainable and well-governed sport for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead
The Board will meet again in February and looks forward to being in touch with members following that meeting.

Nicholas Ballard, Chair
Equestrian Australia Board