A Fresh Start: Built on Collaboration and Action

Last week, State CEOs, State Chairs, National Discipline Committees, the EA Board, and the senior leadership team came together in Melbourne for the second national strategy workshop. The strategic direction is now 95% complete, with goals directly informed by your feedback from recent surveys.

What this means for you

Based on what members have told us, the Strategy will include:

• Making membership better value, through improved services and reducing reliance on fees and levies
• Better support and education for members at all levels of the sport
• Growing the sport by making it easier for new participants to join and stay involved
• More accessible events and competition opportunities
• Clearer pathways for training, certification and progression in the sport
• Protecting and improving access to facilities
  
• Strengthening integrity, governance and horse welfare standards

Over the next 12 months, you should expect clearer communication about what EA and State Branches are working on, more opportunities to provide input, and a stronger focus on member-centric decision-making.

How we will deliver

To deliver on these commitments, all participants at the meeting signed a Leadership Charter that sets clear expectations for collaboration, shared accountability and acting in members' best interests. 

Priority initiatives for the next 12 months have been identified, with clear roles and responsibilities. A practical roadmap to implement the recommendations of the independent ASC review is also being progressed.

Financial sustainability

The workshop addressed the financial position of equestrian organisation openly. EA and States are working together on clear financial reset which focuses on:

• Diversifying revenue across the sport to reduce reliance on membership fees and levies
• Operating efficiently at all levels so every dollar delivers value to members
• Building a sustainable long-term financial model that supports the sport 

Further information will be shared as this work progresses. 

Next steps

Work is underway on a joint National Communications Plan and articulating a clear value proposition for the sport. Members will continue to be consulted as the strategy is developed and implemented.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed feedback via the survey. Your input is directly shaping the future direction of our sport.

Survey summarries can be found below:

National Member Survey Summary of Key Findings.pdf

National Clubs & Associations Survey Summary of Key Findings.pdf

On behalf of their respective Boards:

Nicholas Ballard - Chair, Equestrian Australia
Amy Eggleton - Chair, Equestrian New South Wales
Wendy Hunt - Chair, Equestrian South Australia
Helmut Rechberger - Chair, Equestrian Tasmania
Fiona Phillips - Chair, Equestrian Victoria
Anne Wilkins - Chair, Equestrian Western Australia
Peta Fielding - Director, Equestrian Queensland