Integrity & Wellbeing Bulletin - Edition 1, September 2026

WELCOME

Welcome to the first edition of the Equestrian Australia (EA) Integrity and Wellbeing Bulletin. Throughout September, EA is recognising Integrity and Wellbeing Month by highlighting resources, education and practical actions that support safe, fair and inclusive environments across equestrian sport.

Integrity is about more than rules and policies. It is also about respect, accountability, wellbeing and creating positive experiences for everyone involved in our sport, whether you are a rider, official, coach, volunteer, parent or supporter.

This quarterly bulletin will share updates, practical resources and learning opportunities to help our community strengthen integrity and wellbeing across our sport.

In this edition, we look at practical ways to support integrity and wellbeing, including how to raise a concern, upcoming conflict resolution learning for officials, recommended integrity education, respectful online behaviour and useful resources for members, clubs and volunteers.

INTEGRITY SPOTLIGHT

Integrity helps support a sport that is safe, fair, respectful and inclusive. It covers areas including:

• Child safeguarding
• Member protection
• Discrimination, harassment and bullying
• Competition manipulation
• Anti-doping
• Governance and ethical conduct

Everyone in the equestrian community has a role in helping create positive sporting environments.

UNDERSTANDING THE REPORTING PROCESS

Raising a concern can feel difficult, but understanding the process can make it easier to know where to report an issue, what information may be helpful, how a matter may be assessed and what support may be available.

Under the National Integrity Framework developed by Sport Integrity Australia, EA follows the Guidance for Complaint Management and Sanctioning. The complaints process is designed to help keep sport safe and fair by managing allegations of Prohibited Conduct. While complaints may result in disciplinary outcomes where poor behaviour is substantiated, the process is not intended to be purely punitive. In many cases, education and other constructive responses can be an effective and efficient way to address behaviour, while ensuring resources are focused on the highest-risk matters.

The Case Categorisation System provides a transparent, objective and consistent basis for assessing allegations of Prohibited Conduct. It helps guide decisions about how a complaint should be managed and what sanctions may be appropriate where allegations are substantiated. The aim is to support considered, consistent and proportionate decision-making throughout the complaints process.

To learn more, view EA’s Make a Complaint guide for practical steps on raising a concern and what to expect during the process.

View the guide here →

HAVE YOUR SAY: INTEGRITY & WELLBEING SURVEY

We want to hear from you.

As part of Integrity & Wellbeing Month, Equestrian Australia is seeking feedback from members, officials, coaches, volunteers, parents and club administrators to help shape future education, resources and support services.

Your feedback will help us better understand:

The integrity and wellbeing topics that matter most to our community
Areas where additional education or resources may be helpful
Preferred ways to access learning and information
Emerging issues and opportunities across the sport
All responses are anonymous and will be used to help inform Equestrian Australia's future Integrity and Wellbeing Education Plan.

Whether you have been involved in the sport for many years or are new to the equestrian community, your feedback is valuable and will help ensure future initiatives are relevant, practical and focused on the needs of our members.

Complete the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EAIntegrity2026

The survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. We encourage all members of the equestrian community to participate.

NEW LEARNING FOR OFFICIALS

Conflict Resolution online learning

EA’s online learning for officials is designed to provide practical strategies for managing disagreements and difficult conversations confidently and professionally. The course supports officials to:

• Communicate clearly and respectfully
• Manage disagreements constructively
• De-escalate challenging situations
• Contribute to positive event environments

Keep an eye out in your emails and EA’s social channels for the launch of the Conflict Resolution online learning later this month.

EDUCATION CORNER

Free Sport Integrity Australia online learning

Sport Integrity Australia provides free online learning across a range of integrity topics. The available learning may be useful for athletes, coaches, officials, club administrators and volunteers.

As part of EA's Integrity and Wellbeing Month, we encourage all members, officials, coaches, volunteers and club administrators to take time to refresh their knowledge through free Sport Integrity Australia online learning.

Recommended courses include Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport, Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling, Decision Making in Sport, Anti-Doping Fundamentals, Clean Sport 101 and the Annual Update. These short courses are a practical way to build confidence, understand your responsibilities and help protect safe, fair and inclusive participation across equestrian sport.

Access SIA's eLearning →

WELLBEING MATTERS

Busy competition periods can place pressure on riders, officials, coaches and volunteers. Simple actions can help support wellbeing and positive participation:

• Plan appropriate breaks and recovery time
• Maintain healthy boundaries
• Ask for support when it is needed
• Check in with others during demanding periods
• Use suitable professional support services when required

Explore our online resources to learn more about integrity, wellbeing and safe participation in equestrian sport. These resources are designed to help members, officials, coaches, clubs and volunteers understand their responsibilities, access practical guidance and know where to go for support. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to review the available information and share it with others in your equestrian community.

Online behaviour is also part of integrity and wellbeing. The way we communicate on social media can either strengthen trust and respect in our community or cause harm to individuals and the sport more broadly.

View the resources →

DIGITAL INTEGRITY: RESPECT STARTS ONLINE

Respect Starts Online

Social media plays an important role in connecting our equestrian community. It allows us to celebrate achievements, share experiences, discuss issues affecting the sport and support one another.

Just as we are expected to behave respectfully at events, training sessions and meetings, we should also strive to engage respectfully online.

Constructive conversations can strengthen our sport. Personal attacks, harassment, bullying and inappropriate commentary can negatively impact the wellbeing of participants, officials, coaches, volunteers and staff.

Before You Post, Pause and Ask:

✅ Is it respectful?

✅ Is it factual?

✅ Is it constructive?

✅ Would I be comfortable saying this face-to-face?

Tips for Positive Online Engagement

• Focus on issues, not individuals.
• Avoid personal attacks, insults or inflammatory language.
• Respect differing viewpoints.
• Consider how your comments may affect others.
• Think carefully before posting in the heat of the moment.
• Use appropriate reporting channels if you have concerns rather than engaging in online disputes.

Our Shared Responsibility

Creating a safe, fair and inclusive sport extends beyond the competition arena. Every post, comment and interaction contributes to the culture of our sport.

Together, we can help build online spaces that reflect the values of respect, integrity, inclusion and wellbeing that underpin the equestrian community.

USEFUL LINKS

THANK YOU

Thank you for supporting a safe, fair and inclusive equestrian community.

Together, we can continue building a sport where participants, officials, coaches, volunteers and supporters feel respected, supported and valued.

National Integrity Team