Congratulations to all winners and finalists in the coach and official categories of this year's Equestrian Australia Sport Achievement Awards which were handed out in Melbourne on Friday 5 June. This year's recipients were Rebecca Jenkins who was named Gow Gates Coach of the Year and PollyAnn Huntington who was awarded Gow Gates Official of the Year. Learn more about our worthy recipients below. 

Also a reminder to coaches that June is renewal month so be sure to complete this process before 30 June. There is a great prize on offer and all coaches who renew prior to 20 June will be in the running - so renew early to be in with a chance. 

EA conducted an FEI Eventing Officials Course and an FEI Stewards Course in conjunction with the Melbourne International Three Day Event from 5-8th June 2015. 

Coming from England, Eric Winter was appointed as the overall Course Director. The FEI Dressage Specialist was Virginia Creed, one of Australia's top Dressage officials and the Technical Specialist was Mathias Otto-Erley from Germany. MORE  

Equestrian greats end enthusiasts joined award finalists, their families and friends as well a host of industry members at Showtime in Melbourne to recognise the sport’s highest achievers of the past 12 months. View the full list of award winners MORE 

Gow Gates Official of the Year is given to an official who has contributed significantly to the sport, achieved a high level of excellence and recognises someone who is committed to the continued success of the sport and is dedicated to equestrian. MORE  

This Gow Gates Coach of the Year award recognises a coach who presents a positive image in the coaching profession and has demonstrated a commitment to the development of equestrian athletes both within and outside of the sporting environment.  MORE  

Ahead of his attendance at Equestrian Australia’s Sport Achievement Awards Night, FEI President Ingmar De Vos has visited the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. MORE  

Rebecca Thomas, is an accredited EA NCAS Level 2 General Coach Educator and holds a Diploma of Secondary Education and Certificate IV In Workplace Assessment Training. She has also been an enthusiastic member of the Equestrian Western Australia NCAS Advisory Panel for the past 3 and a half years and spent 22 years in the police force with the last four years as the head trainer at the WA Mounted Police. MORE 

COACH OF THE MONTH is a new series in our Evolve News. It is a way on highlighting the EA coaches and educators who work with dedication and passion all over Australia.

A webinar presentation explaining the EA Coaches insurance program offered by Gow Gates Insurance Brokers is now available. This is a compulsory component of coach reaccreditation. MORE  

EA hosted an FEI Vaulting Stewards Course from 23-25 April in Sydney. The course, conducted by Frank Spadinger (AUT) was for promotion to FEI Level 1 and a refresher for existing FEI Level 1 and 2 Vaulting Stewards. The course was also open to Observers eg. Coaches and Event Organisers for professional development. MORE  

As the weather changes, so does your horses nutritional requirements. Below are some handy hints to put in your calendar to keep on top of your horse’s needs throughout the year. MORE  

EA will be accepting coach registrations for the 2015/2016 accreditation period from Monday 1st June 2015.

All coaches who register prior to 20th June will go in the draw to win an iPad Mini 16GB. So for your chance to win register early! MORE  

Equestrian Australia & Pony Club Australia have partnered with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to offer sporting programmes to children before, during or after school. Registration is free for all Australian primary schools, sporting organisations, and coaches. We encourage all our coaches to register with Sporting Schools today! MORE  

Are you an Equestrian Australia official who has recently officiated overseas and interested in sharing your experiences with other officials and the greater equestrian community for a new series?  

Insights will tell the stories of international competitions from an Officials perspective.

The stories that we collect will be published on the Equestrian Australia website [INSIGHT] and/or newsletters and EA social media sites.

If you are interested in recounting your time abroad as an official, please visit the EA website to submit your details. Officials who participate will be asked to submit a brief summary of their experience and also provide an image/s from the event.

CLICK HERE to be taken to the online form where you can submit your details.