Our New EA Safety Manager Is Saddled Up and Riding

Hello EA members from your National Safety Manager.

It is such a pleasure to be part of this wonderful sport, it’s the people, their horses and the passion you share as equestrians.

Since commencing as Equestrian Australia’s (EAs) National Safety Manager in January 2020, I have certainly been riding a “whirlwind’, with my helmet on!

I have had the privilege of meeting wonderful volunteers, observed event organising committees in action, attended discipline committee meetings, presented at conferences on behalf of EA and training forums and had conversations with many members both via email and telephone.

Late January 2020, I was privileged to attend the ‘Eventing Risk Management Seminar and Forum’ in Manchester-Aintree UK, an FEI event with representation from National Federations around the world.

The information shared during this conference and the presentations from other National Safety Officers was inspiring. 

I presented on behalf of Australia a summary of the “Making Eventing Safer” project funded by Mr Terry Snow. This three-year project was orchestrated under the directive of our soon to be retiring NSO, Roger Kane.

The theme of this presentation highlighted that through ‘multiple health and safety initiates in eventing’ we have had multiple gains.

As a result of the eventing discipline and organising committees working to implement proactive safety measures and diligently reporting, a key result identified a significant reduction (nearly 50%) in horse falls at fences 95cm and up during 2019.  

I know we are all feeling rather unsettled at present, not being in control of our day to day usual activities; especially riding and competing with our four-legged friends.

However, this will change in time and I can assure you with daily monitoring, meetings and consultation as we move through the months ahead, EA will continue to provide support and leadership in line with the Australian Government.

EA has been working on many existing and some new health and safety initiatives, so we look forward to sharing this information with you in the very near future.

Yours sincerely,

Meredith Chapman

EA National Safety Manager