2024 Annual General Meeting – Member Questions Taken on Notice

The following questions were raised at the Equestrian Australia 2024 Annual General Meeting and taken on notice. EA's responses are below for all members to view.

Membership

Question:
Can you put some numbers around change in membership numbers and participation by discipline?

Response:
The membership database operates as a dynamic, live data set, which means minimal historical data is available. Therefore, EA can only provide accurate statistics if the specific report is exported on the exact day required. This method allows us to accurately determine the number of members, coaches, and officials.

Question:
I would be interested to know what methods can be implemented, to help guide new members to education and employment pathways - for people of all ages and abilities. I understand that the focus of EA is on Coaching accreditation & standards, as well as high performance riding & competitions.
What about those of us who come late to horses, and may never become coaches or competitive riders?

Response:
Equestrian Australia (EA) offers various pathways and opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities, even for those who come to horses later in life and may not aim to become coaches or competitive riders. Here are some methods and initiatives that can help guide new members to education and employment pathways:

1. Educational Programs and Workshops: EA provides educational programs and workshops that cover a wide range of topics, including horse care, stable management, and equestrian safety. These programs are designed to cater to different levels of experience and interest.

2. Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteering at equestrian events and within local clubs can provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities. EA acknowledges the significant role of volunteers in the sport and offers various roles that can help individuals gain experience and knowledge.

3. Pathways for Officials: EA has established pathways for those interested in becoming officials, such as judges, stewards, and technical delegates. These roles are crucial for the smooth running of equestrian events and provide an alternative career path within the sport.

4. Community Engagement: EA encourages community engagement through local clubs and associations. Joining a local equestrian club can provide access to resources, mentorship, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

5. Online Resources and Courses: EA offers online resources and courses that members can access at their convenience. These resources cover a variety of topics and can help individuals expand their knowledge and skills in different areas of equestrianism.

6. Riding for Pleasure Programs: For those not interested in competitive riding, EA supports programs that focus on riding for pleasure and recreational activities. These programs emphasize the enjoyment of riding and spending time with horses.

7. Career Guidance and Support: EA can provide career guidance and support for individuals looking to pursue a career in the equestrian industry. This can include advice on different career paths, training opportunities, and connections with industry professionals.

By leveraging these methods, EA aims to create an inclusive environment that supports its members' diverse interests and goals, ensuring that everyone can find their place within the equestrian community.

Strategy

Question:
The presentation mentions a number of strategic programs that appear to be in development. What programs were completed in FY24?  Details around milestones reached and implementation would be beneficial

Response:
The Strategic programs mentioned at the AGM and in the Annual Report have been a body of work started by EA in the 2024 Financial Year. Some projects are still in development with EA communicating to members as milestones are reached and implementation begins.

The strategic programs mentioned include:

1. High Performance Programs: Focused on preparing athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics, with strategies refined for both Olympic and Paralympic teams. This includes the appointment of new roles, such as the Athlete Well-Being and Engagement Manager and the Dressage Chef d’Equipe.

2. Health, Safety & Welfare Initiatives: Key priorities include completing Coronial Recommendations, implementing consistent data collection and reporting systems, developing a medical requirements framework, and improving member communications. An EA Horse Welfare Strategy is also currently in development.

3. Para-Equestrian Programs: Support for Para-equestrian athletes includes access to high-performance facilities, customised equipment, and the development of pathways from grassroots to elite levels.

4. Driving Sport Development: Efforts to increase the number of official driving competitions, attract and train new officials, and foster interest in state-level driving committees.

5. Endurance Programs: Focus on building participation, providing pathways for riders and officials, and preparing for international competitions.

6. Eventing Safety and Data Collection: Emphasis on safety, data collection, and supporting lower-level/inexperienced riders through rule changes and educational initiatives.

7. Jumping Programs: Ensuring compliance with national rules, increasing membership and horse registration, and supporting high-performance athletes through funding and strategic appointments.

8. Show Horse Events: Organizing state and national competitions, judge seminars, and updating pathways for officials.

9. Vaulting Development: Projects to reduce horse workload, develop coaching syllabuses, and support high-performance athletes.

These programs aim to enhance the sport's governance, safety, performance, and inclusivity across all disciplines.

Question:
Diving deeper into what was accomplished strategically: - What were the top three achievements for the year and please can you quantify these where possible.

Response:
The top three strategic accomplishments include:

1. High Performance Success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics: The campaign for the Paris Olympics was a massive team effort, highlighting the strengths and opportunities for elite-level success. The performance at Paris demonstrated the effectiveness of the high-performance programs and the importance of strong foundations across all disciplines.

2.  Implementation of New Policies and Procedures: Significant progress was made in overhauling old and implementing new policies and procedures across various areas such as integrity, safety, horse welfare, and finance. These efforts are crucial for laying the groundwork for the future of Equestrian Australia and enhancing the overall experience for members.

3.  Implementation of Working with Children Check. The implementation of the Working With Children Check for all officials and gaining FEI equivalency for the National pathway for Jumping Stewards are significant steps towards improving the quality and safety of coaching and officiating in the sport.

Disciplines

Question:
Is there a charter or terms of reference that the Coaching Committee operates under and is it available for members to view? 

Response:
For comprehensive details about the Coaching Committee and other EA Committees, you can visit the EA website. The website contains extensive information about the roles, responsibilities, and initiatives of each Committee. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the structure and function of these committees within EA.

Finances

Question:
Why has employment expenses increased by $1,072,583 an increase of over 40%. 

Response:
A number of accounts map to the “Employment Benefits Expense” line in the Financial Statements. The increase in this line item was driven by two main factors:

Salaries: The "salaries" account increased by approximately 10% in line with inflation and increasing member services taken on by EA.

Contracted Staff: The "contracted staff" account had a larger increase primarily due to an amount of $362K for High Performance program contractors, who were engaged solely for the Paris Olympics cycle and are no longer retained. While these two factors accounted for the majority of the increase, changes to account coding and mapping also contributed to the FY2024 increase.

Question:
How much has EA spent on the restructure proposal to date, including outside consultants and internal staff costs.

Response:
In the 2024 financial year, EA incurred no known direct expenses and did not allocate any paid staff time towards the reform. Significant volunteer hours were contributed by Board and committee members.