A message from the Chair

As Chair of Equestrian Australia, I am pleased to share the outcomes of our 2024 Strategic Forum, which brought together representatives from State Branches, Discipline Committees, and key stakeholders across our sport.

Our discussions centered on three core strategic pillars that will guide our organisation forward:

1. Strong Foundations 

We have made significant progress in strengthening our health and safety systems, with our safety index improving from 36% to 71%. Under the leadership of our National Safety Manager, we are implementing comprehensive programs across all levels of the organisation, from Board Directors to members. Horse welfare remains a top priority, with new initiatives being developed to ensure we maintain our social license to operate.

2. Sustainable Growth 

The forum addressed our financial sustainability, examining our annual revenue streams and exploring innovative ways to diversify our funding sources. We identified several strategic partnership opportunities and discussed how we can better leverage technology to create new revenue streams while enhancing our value proposition to potential partners.

3. Excellence in Performance 

We maintain our commitment to developing strong pathways for athletes, coaches, and officials, with a particular focus on Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship programs while also focussing on grass root initiatives.

I'm particularly encouraged by the robust discussions around integrity in our sport. The National Integrity Framework continues to evolve, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of conduct and fair play across all disciplines.

Looking ahead, we face both challenges and opportunities. Financial sustainability remains a key focus, with about $750,000 to undertake operations, we are actively working on innovative solutions to strengthen our position while continuing to deliver value to our members. The participation and insights shared by all attendees were invaluable in shaping our path forward.

On behalf of the EA Board, I want to thank all participants for their contributions to this important forum. Their engagement and commitment to our sport's future are crucial as we work together to build a stronger, more sustainable equestrian community in Australia.

Christie Freeman 
Chair, Equestrian Australia

A summary of outcomes from the Strategic Forum can been found HERE.