Coaching Update - August 2026

Coaching Update

July was one of the busiest months of the year for the coaching team, with preparations for CANTER Con 2026 taking centre stage. Coordinating an event of this scale required extensive planning and collaboration to ensure presenters, delegates, resources and schedules were all in place to deliver a high-quality professional development experience.

Alongside conference preparations, significant work was undertaken to process coach qualification upgrades, including Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA) and Coach Educator (CE) accreditations. The volume of upgrades completed this year reflects the strong commitment of coaches to ongoing learning and professional development.

Equestrian Australia extends its thanks to the State Coaching Committees, State Branches and Coach Educators who continue to support and deliver coaching courses around the country. Their contribution is critical in providing coaches with opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and practical coaching expertise.

While the conference was a major focus, day-to-day coaching support continued throughout the month. This included assisting new coaches through the accreditation process, responding to enquiries, supporting ongoing professional development and processing annual coach accreditations for 2026.

There has also been strong interest in the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ) Passport, with an increasing number of coaches seeking international recognition of their qualifications and expanding their professional opportunities overseas.

The month highlighted the continued commitment of coaches, Coach Educators and state organisations to strengthening coaching standards and supporting the development of equestrian sport across Australia.

Coaches Unite at Inaugural National Conference

Australia's equestrian coaching community gathered in Melbourne for the inaugural CANTER Con 2026 (Coaching Advancement through Networking, Training, Education and Relationships), a landmark event that brought together coaches, educators and industry leaders from across the country.

For the first time, Equestrian Australia, Pony Club Australia and Riding for the Disabled Australia partnered to deliver a national coaching conference, creating a unique opportunity for collaboration and shared learning across the equestrian sector.

Over two days, delegates participated in an engaging program featuring more than 30 presenters covering a broad range of topics, including high performance, coaching philosophy, equitation science, horse and rider welfare, sports science, athlete development and best-practice coaching.

With more than 350 delegates in attendance, the conference highlighted the strength and passion of Australia's coaching community. A common theme emerged throughout the weekend: great coaching is built on collaboration, continuous learning and a commitment to putting both horse and rider at the centre of every decision.

The success of the inaugural event demonstrated the value of bringing coaches together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and strengthen professional networks, helping to shape the future of equestrian coaching in Australia.

Read the full event wrap-up: Coaches Unite at Inaugural CANTER Con 2026

View and download event photos: CANTER Con 2026 Photo Gallery

Celebrating Our New and Upgraded Coaches

Equestrian Australia is proud to recognise the coaches who have recently achieved new qualifications and accreditation upgrades through the EA Coaching Pathway.

These achievements reflect a significant investment in professional development and a commitment to providing high-quality coaching experiences for riders across Australia. From coaches taking their first steps on the pathway through to those progressing to Coach Educator and Skills Specific Training Assessor roles, each milestone strengthens the coaching network that supports our sport.

Congratulations to the following coaches on their recent achievements.

Queensland

• Tom Sedger – Level 2 Horse Management & Riding (L2HM&R)
• Tamara Janus – Level 2 Horse Management (L2HM)
• Paris Zunker – Level 1 Horse Management & Riding General (L1HM&R G)
• Tania Koo Sin Lin – Introductory Riding (IR)
• Josie Cheketri – Introductory Horse Management (IHM)
• Sarah Grzesiak – Introductory Horse Management & Introductory Riding (IHM & IR)

Western Australia

• Rory Risby – Introductory Horse Management (IHM)
• Brooklyn Gospodnetic – Introductory Horse Management (IHM)
• Kaylah Fewster-Duncan – Introductory Horse Management (IHM)
• Chanti Slade – Introductory Horse Management & Introductory Riding (IHM & IR)
• Krystal Wang – Level 2 Coach Educator – Dressage (L2CE Dressage)
• Narelle Lynch – Introductory Horse Management & Introductory Riding (IHM & IR)
• Fiona Tonkin – Introductory Horse Management & Introductory Riding (IHM & IR)
• Pippa Moore – Introductory Riding (IR)

Victoria

• Renee Pedretti – Level 1 Horse Management & Riding (L1HM&R)
• Elizabeth Rogers – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• David Lever – Level 2 Horse Management & Riding (L2HM&R)
• Kim Jacobson – Coach Educator (CE)
• Rachael Edwards – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Amber Evans – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Oliver Evans – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Jodie Wilson – Level 1 Horse Management & Level 1 Dressage Riding (L1HM & L1DR)
• Michelle Bird – Introductory Riding & Introductory Horse Management (IR & IHM)

New South Wales

• Peter Gillis – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Jess Somerfield – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Elaine Galbraith – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Susan Lowe – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Krystal Cross – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Olivia Lord – Introductory Horse Management & Introductory Riding (IHM & IR)
• Gabrielle Biviano – Skills Specific Training Assessor (SSTA)
• Genean Beetson – Introductory Horse Management (IHM)