THE DYE IS CAST – LET’S GET THE EA REFORM JOB DONE
The past four weeks have seen lots of actions on many fronts in terms of Equestrian Australia’s reform process:
• KordaMentha has called a special general meeting (SGM) for 15 September 2020 and actioned the processes prescribed by the Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA).
• Five of six states negotiated with Korda Mentha to amend the DOCA in their favour by giving them a veto right over constitutional changes – this was out of left field for members as it was not what they thought they had voted for.
• Members’ expectations about the potential governance and operating structures of EA and the deliverables from the DOCA are widely misunderstood. Members expected incorrectly that a national discipline-based structure would result from the DOCA and subsequent SGM.
• As a result, members and supporters of the sport have voiced their concerns, frustrations, disappointment and opposition to several aspects of the reform process.
• Various interest groups have sent KordaMentha and/or the states letters, circulars and a petition seeking changes to the reform process.
• It is easy to see how misinformation, misunderstandings and mistrust abound.
The key issue as to the proposed changes surely is how will we view the new EA in five years’ time?
Key success measures include:
• Will the sport be effectively managed and harmonious?
• Will our competitive rankings improve?
• Will there be more participants and improved pathways for rider development?
• Will digital technologies facilitate communication with members, streamlined administration and live streaming of events?
These questions and many more need to be answered YES for this whole process to be considered both worthwhile and successful.
Can today’s reform process deliver these outcomes? This is the real question that we must answer, for that will decide the wisdom of these initiatives.
THE KEY POSITIVES ARE:
• All members will get a voice with one member, one vote.
– State branches cannot alter the constitution unilaterally; members must vote in favour too.
– Junior members and clubs can vote through a nominated representative.
– Electronic voting is available.
• The state branches’ power has been reduced as their voting rights have been diluted whilst retaining a veto power.
• A new independent board of directors will be appointed by the Interim Nominations Committee. No director can be a past director of EA or a state branch, or be a current member of an EA discipline committee. The board composition will be:
– 4 directors who are members of a state branch.
– 4 independent directors, including the chair.
– 1 athlete director.
Directors are appointed for three years, with a maximum of three terms allowed. The Nominations committee will determine the terms of interim directors to ensure that three retire at each AGM in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The chair will retire at the 2023 AGM, thus ensuring continuity of leadership.
Applications are now open for the new board and must be submitted by 10 September 2020. The Nominations Committee members have been announced and the committee will shortly evaluate candidates against a skills matrix.
• State branches will continue their delivery of services during the reform process.
• Affiliations with the FEI and AOC will be restored.
• The power for the reform of the sport will rest with the sport itself.
THE KEY NEGATIVES ARE:
• The state branches retain a right of veto over changes to EA’s constitution, which was not the understanding of most members when they voted for the DOCA. If in the future a state chooses to ignore the members’ vote then state SGMs will be on the agenda.
• The reality of the compromises in the process means that all stakeholders are required to exercise patience to enable the complexities of reorganising the governance and operations of the sport to be undertaken by the new board.
SO, WHAT’S THE SCORECARD?
In my view the answer is with the POSITIVES – a clear majority of members want change and this DOCA delivers that.
Is this a perfect outcome? No it’s not, but importantly members will have a direct vote, board independence is assured and the sport has the wherewithal to deliver the members’ mandate for change.
It’s time to look ahead and grasp this opportunity for wholesale reform of the sport and let’s tick the wins on the way forward. It’s time to boot the naysayers out of the room!
It’s a time for trust, cooperative thinking and a large dose of commonsense as the complexities of the reform are resolved.
To access key documents and further information regarding Equestrian Australia’s administration process, please refer to From the Chairman in the August edition of Equestrian Life. EQ
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:
A new EA for all of us, hopefully (Ryan’s Rave by Heath Ryan)
Contributors
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HEATH RYANNational equestrian personality, international dressage and eventing rider, Olympian, judge, coach and breeder, Heath is never backward in offering his unique insights into the sport and industry.
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ROGER FITZHARDINGEAs a judge, coach, competitor and commentator, Roger’s passion to tell the real stories behind the horses and horse people shines through in his unique brand of equestrian photojournalism.
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DR KERRY MACKGrand Prix dressage rider, coach and Mayfield Farm stud principal, Kerry draws on her learning as a qualified psychiatrist to approach training from the cerebral perspective as well as the physical.
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DR MAXINE BRAINDr Maxine Brain is an equine vet dedicated to achieving optimal equine health and performance with her team at Kilmore Equine Clinic, which she founded.
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SUZY JARRATTSuzy has a rich background in newspaper journalism and radio broadcasting in NSW and nationally, and last year won an international award for equestrian journalism.
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MELISSA RIMACAn escapist by profession and inclination, Melissa Rimac is a writer and photographer specialising in far-flung travel (especially if snorkelling is involved) and is also be smitten by horses.
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ELLI BIRCHBased in Essex in the UK, Elli Birch of Boots and Hooves Photography has covered prestigious equestrian events and country sports around the world.
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