I hope quite a few of you have been visiting the new EFA National web site www.equestrian.org.au and have tried out some of the new functions. For example, you can now search the site for news, rules and other items. Just hover your mouse over 'Search' on the menu bar and click on 'News and Web Pages'.
You will be pleased to know that a number of Branches have indicated that they will be transferring their web to this site. This means they will be able to add their event calendar to what the National Office enters. Members will then be able to search for events in their area and look up results for Official classes straight from the National Database.
Right now, only Eventing results are 'uploaded' in full, and in Dressage and Jumping, only performances that attract grading points are recorded. You can click on the rider and see recorded performances for all horses, or click on a horse and see its record. Not every 'screen' will display all the information you may be looking for but with a little bit of practice, you will be able to find very useful information.
These new services are just part of the benefits and information that will flow from the new web site over the next couple of years, so stay posted!
We are also making progress in many other areas but let me just mention that a number of equestrian events are coming up in October. Equestrian events are, after all, the public face of the sport, our window to many of our stakeholders. Let's support our events by attending them and help make them more attractive to our existing and potential sponsors and supporters, the media and, of course, the participants:: riders, officials and especially our many volunteers.
Australia is well represented at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses that are being held in Zangersheide, Lanaken - Belgium this weekend. Jumping with the Stars 2004 winner Fairbanks Catargo and Shane Davidson have been in Germany for some time preparing for these Championships. They will take part in the 6-year-old class. Also in this class are Australians James Paterson-Robinson and Robert Hines with promising young horses. James has in the past had success at these Championships. He is gaining a reputation as a wonderful producer of young horses. James also has a horse in the 7-year-old class along with Australia's Edwina Alexander who is keen to show off her young star.
Local events in October:
EFA National Vaulting Championships in Adelaide, 30 September - 02 October
World Cup Jumping Qualifier at Brigadoon, WA, 01 October
Sydney International Three-Day Event at SIEC, including the Asia Pacific Challenge Trophy, 01 - 03 October
EFA Australian Showjumping Championships at Brigadoon, WA, 07 - 09 October
Red Range Trans Tasman Endurance Ride 07 - 09 October
Australian Masters Games in Adelaide 07 - 16 October
EFA National Dressage Championships including CDI-W at SIEC in Sydney, 20 - 23 October
FEI Regional Dressage Forum in Sydney, 24 - 25 October
November is also shaping up well. It starts with the Melbourne Cup and is followed immediately by Equitana in Melbourne, a definite 'must' to visit. The EFA will again have a stand, so please come and see us.
Best regards,
Franz Venhaus
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