Equestrian Australia High Performance Weekly Update – 8th February 2021

We are now less than 200 days away from the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and less than 50 days away from the Olympic Torch Relay. As our athletes continue to prepare for the postponed Games, so too does the Tokyo Organising Committee. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee published the first in a series of Playbooks last week offering further insight to what the postponed Games will look like. The Playbooks provide a framework for basic principles to follow throughout each phase of the Games, and each Playbook addresses a particular stakeholder group. So far Playbooks for National Federations, Athletes and Officials, Press and Broadcasters have been made available. To view copies of the Playbooks please visit https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/tokyo-2020-playbooks/

We continue to engage in open communication with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Paralympics Australia (PA) and the FEI to ensure we remain across any new developments that may impact our athletes leading into Tokyo 2020. We look forward to learning about the protocols outlined in the recently released Playbooks in further detail from the relevant bodies in the coming weeks. In addition we continue to amend our operational and logistical plans so they remain aligned with the latest regulations in an attempt to ensure the health and safety of our athletes, horses and support personnel is not compromised in the pursuit of podium success. We are also in the process of addressing all selection policies in consultation with the AOC and PA and we will continue to keep all of our athletes and stakeholders informed surrounding these important matters.

In order to ensure the HP Program continues to provide optimal, world-class management we have reviewed our staffing framework in accordance with the High Performance Strategic Plan 2020-2024, which was released last week. Upon evaluation we recognised the need to secure an additional resource devoted solely to the administration and support of our Dressage Program. Therefore, we will soon be opening the recruitment process for the position of HP Dressage Manager. This position will lead all HP Dressage initiatives as well as provide guidance to our athletes as they prepare for Tokyo 2020 and WEG 2022. Upon fulfilment of this position our Olympic and Paralympic disciplines will have dedicated resources to oversee the management of all activity associated with each discipline. 

As our HP Para-equestrian Program continues to expand and the number of riders accessing our resources increases we believe the Program would further benefit from the careful guidance of a panel of experts. In view of this, the High Performance Panel and the EA Board have agreed to establish a Committee, known as the Equestrian Australia Para-Equestrian Panel, to oversee the short and long-term strategy leading towards sustainable medal winning performances on the world stage. Expressions of Interest for positions on this panel, along with terms of reference, will be released shortly.

We would also like to extend our thoughts to all those in Western Australia who are currently facing the devastation left in the wake of the recent bushfires. We are mindful that some of those individuals affected are part of the wider equestrian community and that many have lost their homes and equestrian facilities to the blaze. Those wishing to offer assistance or support during this time can find out how they can assist by contacting Equestrian Western Australia.  

As always the health and safety of our people and horses remain our priority as we work together as a high-performance community to navigate through these unprecedented times.