ANNUAL REPORT 2015 – 2016 CONTENTS Report from the Chair 4 Report from the Chief Executive Officer 6 Message from the Australian Sports Commission 9 High Performance 10-11 Coaches and Officials 12-13 Membership, Development and Participation 14-15 Commercial and Communications 16-17 Dressage (including Para-Equestrian) 20-21 Driving 22-23 Endurance 24-25 Eventing 26-27 Jumping (including World Cup Jumping) 28-29 Show Horse 30-31 Vaulting 32-33 Queensland 36 Western Australia 37 New South Wales 38 Victoria 39 Tasmania 39 South Australia 40 Northern Territory 41 Financial Report 42-61 Cover: Shane Rose celebrates a historic victory at the 2015 Australian International Three Day Event, finishing first with CP Qualfied (left) and second with Virgil. Left: Mary Hanna riding Umbro at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final CHAiR Report My fellow Equestrians, enthusiasts and The Australian Government and Australian Liza Carver, EA’s Deputy Chair resigned volunteers all, Sports Commission (ASC) supply a very from the board this year. Liza first joined the significant proportion of our funding and board in 2012. She gave outstanding service I have cherished the has suggested to all sports that a move to to EA over a four year period. She worked, idea that Equestrian a centralised governance structure would pro bono, to provide EA with legal advice on Australia (EA) will offer its be a significant advantage. The rationale has many fronts and maintains her interest in the members both inspiration been that this would reduce administrative sport as a competitor, owner and supporter and excellent service. We costs and provide the opportunity for of riders. continue to work towards shared services whilst still maintaining state that aspiration. We are a Leigh Clifford was unanimously welcomed to offices. In recent times, there is significant family of people who are the board in June of this year. Leigh is well recognition by the ASC that all sports depend united by our fascination known as Chairman of Qantas and brings to on regional and volunteer involvement to with horses. Despite the differences in our the board his very extensive experience and sustain viability and the management of sports, we aspire to live and contribute corporate knowledge. volunteers is essential for the running of together to make opportunities for all to competition. EA has inviting challenges ahead: participate and enjoy our great sport. The past 12 months have presented EA is grateful for the assistance from the • The aspiration of our National Coaching demanding challenges. Grant Baldock left ASC and the understanding of the state Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) is to EA in November 2015 having been CEO boards over the previous twelve months as ensure we create world’s best coaches for six years. The move in our staff numbers we have adopted some of the Mandatory to assist every member from beginner to was game changing because the team who Sports Governance Principles. Whilst more our elite riders. We wish to collaborate created The Equestrian Grand Final, Ready challenges face us, your board has confidence with other equestrian sports and Pony Set Trot and the new membership structure that within our structure we can develop Club Australia (PCA) to provide world’s was no longer in place. agreement on shared services which will best practice in coaching. contribute to less administrative cost and • Our ‘participation and pathways’ Paula Ward was appointed CEO in January more money to spend on providing member initiatives will ensure steadily increasing 2016 and has, with great energy and zest, service. tackled the challenges of familiarising herself membership. These are the lifeblood with the unique qualities of our sports. From Your board will encourage the idea of requirements of EA. day one Paula has expressed her wish to creating new and exciting competitions • Our High Performance program is lead and unite EA by providing service to for all our sports, at all levels, in order to running towards the end of the four- members particularly through support to our attract significant sponsorship and to raise year cycle culminating in the Olympic national committees who are all volunteers. the profile of equestrian in the public arena. and Paralympic Games. We are ready to She has also provided a new staff structure If we are to achieve this, considerable co- throw down the gauntlet to the world. to ensure an efficient working environment. operation between our state branches, The rest you know! The national committees provide the guiding national committees and individual light for the development of our sports. organising committees must be our agreed Thank-you to the staff of EA, you have worked Individual EA board members now attend way forward. Co-operation through the co- under the pressure of significant change. EA national committee meetings which mean ordination of calendars will be essential if we board members, you have demonstrated they get the opportunity to participate are to offer excellent events. This will also your unity, commitment and good humoured and report to the EA board. This enables necessitate the continued improvement and support through some challenging times. all board members to have first hand development of our IT programs in order May we all enjoy the confidence of knowing knowledge of the role and activities of the that organising committees have the facilities that together we will provide for the growth national committees. they need and records of performance can of our sport and increased opportunity to be maintained. participate, for all our members. Development of our riders in all disciplines is our high priority. The strategy and the The outstanding success of Amateur Owner Very best regards to all members. program which will back it must be created Classes introduced alongside top competition and funded. Our High Performance program and the Interschool competitions is proof must look after both our overseas riders that our membership base will continue to and, at the same time, ensure that our build so long as we truly embrace all levels Australian based riders and their competition of equestrian sport within our competition opportunities are prioritised. planning. Judy Fasher Chair, Equestrian Australia Governance of our sport has long presented The terrible loss of three young riders cast challenges for EA. Our shareholders are a a pall over our sport this year. Olivia Inglis, proudly federated group of state branches Caitlyn Fischer and Billie Kinder were much who, whilst supporting EA, need to loved and respected riders. They were on independently interact with state members. the cusp of life, enjoying their horses, their They support the necessary army of families and friends. Their loss is felt by volunteers who run our competitions and our community. They will be remembered their member services. for their equestrian ability and the joy and inspiration they gave all who knew them. 4 Gabrielle Kuna and Cristalline 5 CHiEF EXECUTiVE OFFiCER Report Reflecting on my six We are, however, much more than a sport. EA is constantly facilitating our already strong months as Chief Executive We are a significant contributor to industry. links across government and the relevant Officer for EA, I am Equestrian offers a lifestyle and provides a regulatory, stakeholder and community incredibly grateful for the livelihood for many. All too often, in sport, bodies. EA can muster the collective voices warmth and generosity involvement comes from a passion and it is of over 18,000 members. We are able to of so many as I have a side-line to a career in a different area. We influence and this is a role that must be used immersed myself into are different. For many in our community – expeditiously for the growth of our industry equestrian. rider, coach, official, breeder – you are able and the betterment of our sport, as well as to envelop in our sport in every way. It is treated respectfully. Grant Baldock, having a livelihood, a passion and a full time focus. steered the ship for almost six years, This year, unfortunately, we were scarred It motivates our community in so many departed EA in late 2015. I offer my thanks to by the deaths of Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn different ways. It also brings significant Grant for his dedication to foster the growth Fischer in competition and Billie Kinder, at additional responsibility to EA as the and profile of equestrian in Australia during home, while tending to her pony. The impact governing body. his tenure and for his support in assisting reverberated throughout our community. with the leadership transition. Over the last six months I have moved While the welfare of horse and rider is through the community - at competitions, always at the heart of what we do, their With leadership change, comes broader coaching clinics, awards nights and industry passing provided a stark reminder of the change. It can be uncomfortable, yet it meetings - to build my understanding of the dangers involved in horse sport. Reviews are is inevitable. It has been a year with many drivers of our sport and cultivate what I underway which mean if there are lessons challenges, opportunities and achievements, believe is the way forward. to learn, we learn them. The impetus for and there is still much to be done. optimising safety and enabling best practice First and foremost, I want to lead a service When stepping into a leadership role, it is risk management has never been greater, and organisation. Members are why we exist. a difficult balance to keep the organisation there are initiatives in development that you Irrespective of the role you play in our functioning on a day to day basis while will hear more about in the coming months.