Personal Statement –Stephanie Lyons (Ellen)

Request for your support at the Special General Meeting (SGM)

Dear Members,

I’m asking for your support to vote against the resolution to remove me as a Director. At this time, I believe that continuity and stability on the Equestrian Australia (EA) Board are critical for the future of our sport.

Why I joined the Board
I joined the Equestrian Australia Board in January 2021 because I care deeply about equestrian sport and its community. I grew up in County Kildare, Ireland, competing in eventing, and for over 15 years in Australia I’ve kept that passion alive by attending equestrian events and serving on the EA Board. Horses have always been part of my life.

What I bring
Alongside this passion, I bring strong financial, risk, and governance expertise. I am a Chartered Accountant, a former external auditor at KPMG, completed the Harvard Business School General Management Program and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. My career has included senior executive roles in risk, finance, strategy and major change programs. These experiences taught me how to navigate complexity, strengthen financial controls, and manage risk; all of these skills are capabilities the EA Board needs right now.

Acknowledging the financial challenges
EA has faced financial losses in the past two years. I take this seriously. There are no excuses but the Board has a clear plan to address these challenges, with a view to preventing them from happening again.

What I have done so far

• Finance and cost control: As Chair of the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee, I have worked with independent members and management to review costs, identify savings, and explore new revenue streams beyond grant funding.

• Revenue diversification: I have met with potential strategic partners to foster relationships intended to help EA reduce reliance on a single source of income.

• Risk management: I led the development of EA’s first Risk Appetite Statement and Risk Management Framework, including a risk matrix and register. These tools help the Board and management make better decisions by clearly identifying risks and setting limits on what EA can and cannot accept.

• Transparency: Improved financial and risk reporting so issues are identified earlier and acted on quickly.

• Safety: Led the establishment of the National Health, Safety and Welfare Committee.

What’s next
The Board will complete a full review of EA’s structure and financial model with the State Branches. This will:

• Create a clear, sustainable financial plan for the whole sport.
• Strengthen financial controls and accountability.
• Embed the risk framework into everyday decision-making.
• Improve communication with members.

Why continuity matters now
I have been directly involved in building the foundations for EA’s financial and risk management improvements following Voluntary Administration, when EA commenced under a new constitution. Continuity on this work is vital for EA.

Retaining me as a Director ensures continuity of corporate knowledge and consistency in direction and leadership. If I were to be removed now, it would in my view create disruption, and such disruption could potentially jeopardise funding from the Australian Sports Commission, and unsettle EA’s staff, who are focused on delivering for members nationwide.

Sudden changes would create instability and delays at a time when steady leadership is needed, particularly with the urgency of the work underway to deliver on the clear priorities laid out by the EA Board. I have already initiated key financial, risk, and leadership improvements. Remaining in the role of a Director allows me to complete this work, maintain stability, and support the staff who deliver services to members.

My commitment

I will continue to work hard, be transparent, and collaborate with all parts of the sport to deliver a stronger, safer, and more connected equestrian community.

I respectfully ask for your support at the SGM to vote against the resolution so we can finish what we have started.

Thank you for your trust and support.

Kind regards,

Stephanie Lyons (Ellen)