Membership Bylaw Updates – Effective 1 July 2026

With membership renewals coming up, we wanted to reach out with an update on a few changes we've made to our membership categories.

Equestrian Australia wishes to advise members that amendments to the EA Membership Bylaws have been approved by the Board and will come into effect on 1 July 2026 in line with the 2026/2027 membership renewals.

These changes were approved by the Equestrian Australia Board following extensive consultation with the State Branches over the last 12 months and formally approved by the EA Board in June 2026.

Key updates for Members

We've updated our Membership Bylaws to better reflect how our members participate in equestrian sport — and most of the changes are straightforward. Below are some key changes worth knowing:

Recreational membership — formal recognition and important insurance notice

We are proud to formally recognise Recreational Membership as a dedicated category in EA's updated Bylaws — a membership built for those who ride for the pure joy of it.

Whether you're a trail rider, a pleasure hacker, or someone who simply loves spending time with their horse, Recreational Membership keeps you connected to the EA community with benefits that matter:

• 24/7 Personal Accident & Public Liability Insurance —you’re covered, so you can ride with confidence and enjoy your leisure riding
• Access to EA Integrity Services — ride in a safe, respectful environment with support if you ever need it
• Monthly newsletters and communications — stay connected to the equestrian world
• EA National Database access — your membership records, all in one place
• Training and education opportunities — keep growing, at your own pace
• EA Governance Rights — your voice in the future of equestrian sport in Australia

Recreational Membership is a more accessible way to be part of the EA membership, with the peace of mind of insurance and integrity support, without paying for competition access you don't use.

Please note: This membership is designed for pleasure riding only. If you participate in EA events, closed club activities, or competitions, please select an appropriate category to ensure you are fully covered. Contact your State Branch if you're unsure which category is right for you.

Entity Horse Owners

If your horse is owned by a company, trust, syndicate, or other entity rather than an individual, you will need to ensure the horse is registered under the correct entity name in the EA National Database. Entity Horse Owners — such as syndicates, companies, or partnerships — must have the ownership structure and nominated contact recorded accurately at the time of registration or renewal. If the details of your entity ownership have changed, please update your records through the EA Membership Portal or contact your State Branch before renewing.

Honorary Life Member

If you are an existing Honorary Life Member, there are no changes to your status. Your membership and all associated benefits remain unchanged and will continue to be fully recognised.

Competitor — Life

If you're an existing Life member — nothing changes for you. Your membership and all its benefits are fully protected, however EA and the State Branches will no longer accept new applications.

What does this mean for Members?

The amended Membership Bylaws are binding on all Participating Members across Australia from their effective date, 1 July 2026.

Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated Membership Bylaws and understand how the changes may apply to their membership category.

See What’s Changed

To help members easily understand the updates, we’ve developed an interactive comparison tool that highlights the key differences between the previous Membership Bylaws and the updated version.

You can explore the changes here.

This tool allows you to quickly identify what has changed and how it may affect you, without needing to read the full document line by line. We encourage all members to take a few minutes to explore the app and stay informed about their membership options.

Accessing the updated Bylaws

The updated Membership Bylaws are available on the Equestrian Australia website and can be accessed via the Governance section here.

We have also created some easy to read Membership Guides for Individual Members and Affiliated Members which can be accessed here.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact your State Branch or Equestrian Australia via [email protected]

Thank you for your continued support of equestrian sport in Australia.