From the CEO - June 2026

As we close out June and head into a brand new membership year, I have been reflecting on the past year and want to acknowledge just how much our community has achieved together — and how much there is to look forward to.

This month marks a meaningful milestone with the introduction of updates to our EA Membership Bylaws, effective 1 July. These updates have been carefully considered to better reflect the diversity of our membership — from Recreational Members to Entity Horse Owners — and to give everyone greater clarity around how they participate and belong to this organisation and sport. Renewals are now open, and I encourage you to take advantage of the How To Guides our team has worked hard to prepare. We want this process to be as smooth as possible for every one of you.

I was so proud to see four combinations named to represent Australia in Para Dressage at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, and to congratulate Brooke Dougall and Lamoza Velisha on their selection for the inaugural FEI Eventing U25 World Championship in Ireland. These athletes are a testament to the depth of talent in Australian equestrian sport and our pathway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Safety is a core pillar of our sport and  it is a responsibility we all share.  I want to thank everyone who has been diligently submitting incident reports. Your commitment to this process genuinely makes our sport safer for members and horses. Please continue to check in on the updated helmet standards and remember the rules around sensory and ear hair ahead of major competitions. These aren't just regulations — they're there to protect our horses, and that matters enormously to all of us.

To our coaches and officials: this sport and community would simply not function without you. I loved reading Sarah Clark's story this month —it's exactly the kind of journey that reminds me why equestrian sport holds a special place. And with CANTER CON just a month away, I hope many of you will take the opportunity to come together, learn, and connect.

The new membership year is always a moment of renewal — not just for licences and cards, but for our shared sense of purpose, commitment and service to the sport. Looking at the year ahead, I'm excited about the opportunities to continue to work closely with the State Branches and the Discipline Committees to better support our Clubs and Members and sport.

Ben Houston
Acting CEO