Getting ready for the Games

Around the world, sporting nations are in their final preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, which are due to start on 08-08-08. Please watch out for the Olympic Equestrian Team announcements on our web. It seems, however, that it is "open season" already for commentators in some magazines to take a shot at selectors. As always they know all the whys and why nots, and always know better than the Selectors. More will come, I am sure, after the teams are announced. I should mention that we publish nomination/selection policies and related documents on our web and also make their contents known by other means to the riders concerned. We need rules to have a "level playing field" for all concerned. It is a pity that occasionally, a rider fails to comply with or ignores requirements even after being reminded. Who bears the fault for the consequences of such failure to act? The EFA, of course. I congratulate the Selectors, the High Performance Panels and all the other dedicated people that have been involved in helping our delegation get ready for the Games and for giving us their time and their skills. Olympic Games require an enormous effort, and Hong Kong seems to top the list right now as far as administrative complexity is concerned. If you wish to keep up with Olympic news, you should read our Olympic newsletter, which is published around the middle of each month (but not from August onwards ...). You will find "Our proud Olympic History" on the same page, both prepared by our Publicity Officer Nicky Turner. Further on Olympic matters, the additional funding we received from the Federal Government through the Australian Sports Commission certainly helped making things easier for a number of riders, who needed to take their horses overseas to prepare for and take part in nomination events for the Olympic Games. The NSW Government recently also provided extra grants to a number of NSW-based riders. We sincerely thank the Governments for their generous assistance. National Board This is a reminder that nominations to fill two vacancies on the National Board close on Monday, 30 June 2008. There are two vacancies and so far we have seven nominations. Branches through their Branch Chairs are the ones who will appoint the new Board. Let's hope the make the right choice. Under the EFA Constitution, Branches delegate a number of powers to the EFA National Board, to govern the National Sporting Organisation. Branches work within the national policy framework. The new Directors will take up their positions from the next Annual General Meeting to be held in Adelaide on 14 November 2008, the Dressage day of the 2008 Australian International 3-Day Event. The end of EI - or is it? You will have heard that Australia will declare itself provisionally EI-free from 01 July 2008. This status will be recognised internationally at the end of this year when twelve months will have passed without infection. Congratulations and thanks to all who have helped to make this happen. A lot has been learned from the outbreak and the learning will continue for a while. The declaration of EI freedom means that a number of requirements will be removed, such as the need for Travelling Horse Statements in NSW. Event organisers will, however, still need to collect and retain a number of details about event participants. For details please check your relevant State web site. The EFA is, however, reviewing event registration and related procedures. We must make sure that there is a high level of awareness of the potential for infectious diseases to spread at equestrian events, where large numbers of horses congregate. Riders and owners, who bring horses to events, have a responsibility to watch out for symptoms of infectious diseases. Gross Value of Production, EADRA and the Levy Just when I thought that all the additional work arising out of the EI outbreak and its consequences was also coming to a close, discussion is continuing about a levy to cover the cost of fighting future outbreaks under the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA). The critical issue is how to measure "Gross Value of Production" (GVP) of the horse "industry", something which I have mentioned in previous e-news. A measure of GVP would determine what portion the various horse sectors would need to contribute. It would also influence the membership fees of Animal Health Australia (AHA). Along with a number of livestock producers, the Australian Racing Board (ARB), the Australian Harness Racing Council (AHRC) and the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) are members of AHA and the EFA is in the process of applying for separate membership. Members of AHA have individual representation on various government bodies like the National Management Group (NMG) that oversaw the process of containing and eradicating the EI virus. It is relatively simple to measure GVP in the other "livestock" industries like cattle, poultry, etc. where farm gate sales are added to arrive at a value. True "livestock sales" in the horse industry apply only to a relatively small portion of horse people (e.g. horse breeders) so other measures need to be developed. Unlike "primary producers" in the other industries, the majority of horse owners are not in "business" to derive income from owing horses. In fact, most people involved in the horse "industry" spend large sums in order to take part and unlike primary producers cannot claim tax deductions to offset this expenditure. On the other hand, all horse owners benefit from a rapid response to a disease outbreak, as do other parties including the Federal and State Government. So who should wear a levy to recover a portion of Government expenditure on combating a future outbreak? Some people suggest that to recover costs of a future disease outbreak in a relatively painless way would be to add a small amount to each bet placed on races. Maybe others need to contribute, too, but on what basis? Vaccinations With the end of the crisis, vaccination against EI will no longer be permitted. The basic question of whether owners should be allowed to vaccinate or whether indeed vaccination should be compulsory will be aired at a workshop of government and industry stakeholders on 25 September 2008 (postponed from June). Microchipping As per EFA General Regulations introduced in January 2008, horses to be registered after 01 July 2008 (for the first time) will need to be microchipped with chips that meet Australian Standards 5018/5019. We have purchased a number of microchip readers for distribution to the Branches. From July 2011, all horses participating in "official" competition will need to be microchipped. We will encourage event organisers to arrange for microchipping sessions at some of their events to make the process more cost-effective for members. You may know that it has been compulsory for a number of years to microchip Thoroughbreds and that at least in NSW and Queensland, thousands of horses were microchipped when being vaccinated during the recent EI outbreak. National Office Staff You may have read in the web news that Siobhan Lapthorne has accepted a new role with Equestrian Sports New Zealand. Siobhan has been one of our "pillars" since she joined the National Office in 2003, when it was relocated from Adelaide to Sydney. She has played a great role in many of the improvements and innovations in our operations, particularly the revision of the Coaching system, the management and rules of Dressage and the establishment national Interschool competition. It will be very hard to replace her. However, since the Board had already agreed to the appointment of another person to assist me with projects and general work as part of the CEO succession planning, we are reviewing our approach to the recruitment process. There will also be some changes in responsibilities among staff in the office, with a few taking on new assignments. More about that in a later newsletter and on our web. Events Please keep an eye on the event calendar published on your State Branch's and the EFA National Web. You may have noticed that we have introduced a new service advertising entries in International events overseas on the EFA National web. Sport Rules A number of you will be aware of the fact that the FEI is reviewing its sport rules and is asking Member Federations for input into the drafts, which will be finalised at the FEI General Assembly in November for implementation in 2009. We have published revised national Vaulting Rules on our web for use in Vaulting events. World Anti-Doping Code We are presently working with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency to update our (human) Anti-Doping Policy for 2009. Having an up-to-date policy including changes in the Code is also a requirement under our contract with the Australian Sports Commission. We are reminding the Equestrian sport community that these policies do not only apply to EFA members but also to members of EFA-affiliated organisations. The revised policy will, of course, be published on our web when it is finalised. As far as horses are concerned, our Equine Medication and Anti-Doping Control Rules follows those of the FEI very closely. Prohibited substances are classed into three groups: Doping substances, and Medications A and B, with varying levels of sanctions. First-time offenders in the lowest grade are offered the option of an administrative sanction, which is not publicised, although the sanction also includes disqualification from the event in question and a return of prize money and prizes and trophies. New Brand, new logo, new constitution? We are in the process of "re-branding" the organisation to "Equestrian Australia" (Branches to "Equestrian Tasmania", "Equestrian Victoria", etc) together with a new logo and other "branding" issues like a re-vamped web look. This then leads to a host of other changes: new stationery, posters, team clothing, flags and banners, etc. The launch of the new "EA" brand is planned for later this year.  Then in November at Equitana in Melbourne, we will also see the launch of the "Equestrian Australia Grand Final" concept that is being developed in conjunction with Equitana organisers Definitive Events. I will not be able to be at that launch myself (nor "man" the EA Stand at Equitana) since unfortunately I will have to go to Buenos Aires to attend the FEI General Assembly. Supporters and Sponsors I would like to thank our funding agencies, sponsors and supporters for their continued assistance. In particular, we would like to mention the Australian Sports Commission, our Principal Sponsor, the Australian Olympic Committee, Horseland Kentucky Equine Research and Ridley Agriproducts, Horse Deals magazine, and Aon Risk Management Services. For more news and other information, please visit www.equestrian.org.au or your State Branch web (www.[state].equestrian.org.au). Make it a good day! Franz Venhaus Chief Executive Officer

Interesting results at Lingen (GER) Results in the Olympic Dressage Nomination event will give the Selectors more to think about.

Final EI restrictions end 30 June From 01 July a Travelling Horse Statement (THS) will not be required before moving horses.

Melbourne Three-Day Event Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester win the Melbourne CCI 3*.

More Olympic tickets released in Hong Kong for Equestrian events BOGOC have allocated a further 60,000 tickets to Hong Kong for Equestrian events. Tickets will be available from 12 June and are not limited to Hong Kong residents.

Aach CSI 3* – The final Jumping Nomination Show The Aach CSI 3* was the final opportunity for Australian Jumping riders to earn their place in the Olympic Team.

Siobhan Lapthorne to cross the Tasman After 5 years at the EFA National Office, Siobhan Lapthorne is leaving the EFA for new adventures as the Coach Development Manager at Equestrian Sports New Zealand.

Equestrian Land Developments DQ Young Riders Dressage Championships The first CDI-Y in Queensland since the EI outbreak in August of 2007 was held at Caboolture Dressage Group, in Caboolture this past weekend, 13-15 June.

Edwina Alexander 2nd in Cannes Global Champions Tour While a number of Australian riders are trying to impress selectors at the second Jumping nomination event in Aach, Germany, Edwina Alexander, who is already 'pre-nominated' for the 2008 Olympic Games, is doing well with a number of horses at film capital Cannes.

Luhmühlen CCI 4*: William Fox-Pitt takes the crown. Stuart Tinney 3rd, Andrew Hoy 4th Luhmühlen is the final event of interest to our Olympic Selectors. Four Australian riders will tackle the CCI 4* in an attempt to earn their place on our Eventing Team.

New Coaching Arrangements for Australian Dressage Team The Equestrian Federation of Australia wishes to advise that as from today, Ralf Isselhorst will no longer continue in the role of National Dressage Coach.

Riders Survey Riders have this opportunity to tell the EFA what they think of Dressage events in Australia.

Merv Bennett awarded a Queen’s Birthday Honour Olympian Mervyn Bennett was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his Equestrian achievements and his service as a competitor, coach and event co-ordinator.

Federal Government releases Callinan Report on the EI outbreak and the Government's response to its recommendations Agriculture Minister Tony Burke this afternoon released the report of the Callinan Inquiry into the causes of the Equine Influenza outbreak.

Federal Government to bear costs of recent Equine Influenza outbreak Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke announced today that the Government has decided against imposing a levy on the horse industry to recover its share of the $342 million spent on eradicating the virus and financial assistance.

Bramham CCI 3* Australia had three riders competing this weekend at Bramham Horse Trials(UK)CCI 3*.

Our Proud Olympic History - 1972 Munich Australian Eventing Team finishes fourth.

2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival - Long List The announcement of the long list for the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival has unfortunately been postponed til a later date.

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