FROM THE CHAIRMAN

HEY STATES, LISTEN TO THE MEMBERS

GET ON WITH EA REFORMS

In my view, however you cut it, two things stand out regarding the future of Equestrian Australia –

•    First, members have voted for change;
•    Second, the states (Queensland excluded) are
o    Wasting members dollars
o    Ignoring members’ views
o    Blocking progress

The states’ negative behaviour has revealed their true colours, in that they are ignoring members’ demands for reform of EA and incurring substantial extra work and costs from the administrators, KordaMentha, in dealing with their parochial issues.

The mandatory next meeting, a Special General Meeting (SGM), could be held and voted upon this month, but alas the states’ blocking moves have caused KordaMentha to put it off until 15 September.

Can you believe this situation? You may have thought I was having a bad dream, but the facts confirm this horrible reality. If you are scratching your head in disbelief, I can offer two cures:

1.    The first is to read the following key letters and documents…

•    EA Jumping Committee (EAJC) “On the Future of our Sport”.
•    KordaMentha letter of 20 July 2020 to Timothy Williams, Chair Equestrian Tasmania (via KordaMentha website).
•    KordaMentha letter of 27 July 2020 to Matt Miller, State Branches Governance Reform Group (via KordaMentha website).
•    Administrators’ Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to be voted on at the upcoming SGM (via KordaMentha website).
•    Ryan’s Rave in both the July and August issues of Equestrian Life online magazine.

2.    The second is to read this extract from the EA Jumping Committee. This is from the opening page of this very readable report…

“On the Future of our Sport”

“This has been produced by a group of high level competitors, Olympians, trainers, coaches and administrators at State and National levels as well as professionals from law, business and accounting.

“We assisted the Australian Jumping Committee in putting together the discipline-driven model submitted to the administrators as a potential model for the restructuring of EA.

“We believe in a discipline-driven, nationally focused model working alongside an independent EA. This would in turn make full use of the current state-based discipline bodies that we all agree are currently the engine room driving our sports forward.

“The difference would be that these state-based bodies would work with the national discipline organisation rather than a state branch. While we respect the positions of the CEO and Boards of the state branches, we are disappointed at the position that they (VIC, SA, WA, NSW) appear to be taking by not accepting the DOCA passed by a vast majority of their members. In our view the process initiated by Sport Australia’s withdrawal of funding, and subsequent astute management of the situation by the Administrators, has presented the long-suffering members of EA a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve genuine and lasting reform in our sport.

“We, the members, have voted! We mustn’t blow the opportunity for real reform of EA and we mustn’t let the process get hijacked. The final decision cannot be taken out of the hands of the circa 20,000 members.”

I urge readers to review this EAJC report, which is filled with key facts in an easy Q&A format – “On the Future of our Sport”.

Come on, let’s get on and reform EA! It’s time for the states to change their game, support the members’ mandate and stop wasting members’ dollars.

Demand that your state branch supports the DOCA – email them today.

Now on to this month’s reading….

When the going gets tough, the horse riders just get tougher. And they have a good laugh. It is time to be inspired by those who have grown their achievements through times of adversity. So, sit back and ponder the remarkable and the cerebral as well as the funny side of equine life.

Respect to Simone Pearce and Destano, who toppled Australian dressage record scores at Achleiten CDI4* in Austria for a serious heads-up for Tokyo 2021 selection. Hats off to equestrian adventurer personified, Carolyn Lieutenant, whose exploits in dressage, showjumping, showing and eventing are the stuff of legend. Take a bow Lisa Martin, who is overcoming a recent setback and looking forward to getting back in the saddle. A salute to Will Enzinger who, as EA Eventing Pathways Manager, is achieving team bonding through innovative online sessions born out of necessity in these times. And finally, raise a carrot for Brightlight Boy, the ex-galloper who’s overcoming adversity to embrace a life after racing.

Keep up your training with 10 tips for riding the Novice test from Roger Fitzhardinge, and learn what Brett Parbery says he learns from his pupils as a riding instructor. Dr Kerry Mack helps us understand our horses better by analysing what their chewing and licking behaviour tells us. Lap it up!

Should a mule have equal rights in the showjumping arena? It turns out some have the skills. And if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, consider this: What is the “The Mutant Equine Neurosis Gene?” The inimitable Mim Coleman ponders whether nature or nurture turns us into equine fanatics. Suzy Jarratt, meanwhile, revisits hilarious moments in movies when horses steal the show. Have a laugh on us.

As winter peaks, don’t forget to keep an eye out for seasonal health issues such as foot abscesses. Our veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain explains that they can be minor issues that become major if untreated. You could say the same about our present pandemic predicament.

Keep on riding and the horizon will open up.

Rob McKay

Contributors

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Photography credits: CDI Achleiten / Michael Rzepa, Roger Fitzhardinge, Liz Gregg/FEI, Melissa Lee Stone Photography, RLAG, Racing Victoria, Jenelle Christopher, Michelle Terlato, Elli Birch/BootsandHooves, Kate Wetteland, Christie McLean, Peter Mclean, The Parbery Program and Dr Maxine Brain.

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