Equestrian Tasmania Board Update

Dear Member,

Voting for the Equestrian Australia (EA) 2024 Director Elections is currently open and will close at 4:00 PM (AEST) on Sunday, 3rd November 2024. All individual Equestrian Tasmania (ETAS) members are eligible to vote and should have received several emails from both EA and Vero Voting, providing information about the process, candidates, and a link to cast their vote.

ETAS encourages all members to participate in this important process. We understand that there is considerable information being circulated by EA and others regarding the elections for the EA Board, potential structural changes to our sport, and the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). Therefore, we felt it was important to provide members with a further update.

Our Position: 
Change within the sport must be driven by collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity. We acknowledge that the volume of content and differing opinions currently being circulated about potential reforms in equestrian sport in Australia may be confusing for many members. For us, this highlights the following:

• EA and the state branches have substantial work to do to achieve our nationally aligned vision of a "thriving and safe sport, uniting the Equestrian community."
• More consultation is required for all members to fully understand the challenges and issues the sport is trying to address.
• Structural changes alone will not lead to the desired outcomes

EA 2024 Director Elections:

• ETAS, as a state branch, can cast a vote in the 2024 Director Elections like almost all other members of EA.
• A vote cast by any state branch carries the same weight as a vote cast by an individual member.

Northern Territory – Alignment with ‘One Member – One Vote’

• A meeting to consider a notice of motion from Equestrian Queensland (EQ) will follow the AGM. Note that Members must register to attend the special meeting here.
• A key outcome of EA’s voluntary administration in 2020 was the promise of "One Member – One Vote."
• That was not implemented fully for Equestrian Northern Territory (ENT) at the time and currently, ENT members are not entitled to vote in director elections, vote on notices of motion or nominate for election to the EA Board, despite paying the same fees and levies to EA.
• In accordance with the Constitution, EQ has submitted a Notice of Motion to enable Members to vote on whether to grant ENT members the same rights as all other EA members and officially classify ENT as a state branch of EA. ETAS supports this motion.
• NOTE – There is no ‘veto’ power of the States entrenched into the Constitution. To effect EA Constitutional changes, in addition to the requisite level of member support, the support of five (of 6) state branches is also required. Supporting the ENT Motion would not change that requirement.  The support of only five (of 7) state branches would still be required.

Proposed Structural Changes:
ETAS supports and recognises the need for change across the sport. We believe that change must start with how EA and state branches prioritise the delivery of core services to members, clubs, officials, and coaches, while enhancing support for national discipline committees to ensure our sport continues to thrive. We do not believe that structural changes are the solution to all the challenges facing our community, athletes, and volunteers.

ETAS prides itself on its ability to:

• Support affiliated organisations and event organisers to ensure safe, compliant events that foster positive experiences for all participants.
• Develop and enhance pathways and opportunities for athletes, from grassroots to high performance, enabling success both domestically and internationally.
• Facilitate the continued delivery of accreditation for officials in Tasmania, while clarifying pathways for new officials.
• Champion coaches who play a vital role in enhancing our members' skills and confidence as they navigate the complexities of our sport.

We encourage all ETAS members to cast their vote in the Equestrian Australia (EA) 2024 Director Elections and the Notice of Motion.

Should you have any questions please reach out to ETAS by email at [email protected]

Helmut Rechberger - ETAS Chair