21/04/2020

EQUESTRIAN WA & MILNE FEEDS E-LEARNING CENTRE 

During the current COVID-19 situation, we realise that many people in the equine community are facing unique challenges as social distancing, while necessary, impacts our equine activities and affects our community interaction. Supporting the health and welfare of both riders and horses is paramount to Equestrian WA, therefore, together with our education partner Milne Feeds, we will be launching an online equine-community learning hub on our website with a wide variety of interactive content ranging from expert articles, educational videos and training segments from industry experts. With everything from riding tips, veterinary tutorials and pilates exercises you can do at home, there is something for everyone.

We are also excited to announce that the Milne Feeds Education Seminar will be resuming online with the first session scheduled on the 20th May! We've already got a few topics and speakers lined up, so stay tuned for more information!

20/04/2020

LOCAL SPORT TO LOSE UP TO $41M AND 660 JOBS DUE TO COVID-19

State Sporting Associations will lose up to $41 million in revenue and more than 660 jobs are expected to be lost by the start of May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey by SportWest, the peak industry body for sport in Western Australia, showed State Sporting Associations were expecting a 55 per cent reduction (246 jobs) in their full-time workforce and a 72 per cent cut (415 jobs) in casual staff by the start of May.

Combined revenue loses of up to 52 per cent were forecast for winter community sport.

Click here to read full media release

20/04/2020

FEI.TV AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE WHILE LIVE SPORT IS ON HOLD

FEI.TV, the FEI’s online television platform, will be providing all its coverage of past events and special equestrian features free of charge to everyone while live sport is on hold until end of June.

Under normal circumstances, FEI.TV live-streams all major FEI Series and Championships, with an extensive range of replays, special features and historic events coverage available on-demand combining to provide unparalleled coverage of equestrian sport year-round.

But with no live sport, access to FEI.TV will be free and existing subscribers will be compensated for the months of April, May and June. They will get automatically refunded on their account. All content on the platform, including VOD, will be freely available to all users who will need to register, meaning that fans can re-live all the action from past events so there’s no need to miss out on your fix of equestrian sport.

“Premium content like this usually sits behind a paywall and is normally available only to subscribers, but while there is no “live” sport, we want to give equestrian fans the chance to binge-watch for free during this terrible pandemic”

Click here to read full article

21/04/2020

EA ONLINE HORSE TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

EA welcomes the participation of members in online training and educational activities during this period of COVID-19 shutdown that prevents riders from competing.

Virtual Dressage Horsesport, Virtual Showjumping Horsesport, Virtual Eventing Horsesport and online training is available so that riders can have their training assessed while adhering to the obligations of social/physical distancing.

Given the lack of usual controls afforded to an official competition, it is not possible for these on-line activities to assure participants of a level playing field in terms of assessment.

Click here to read full article

21/04/2020

4 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RIDING WITHOUT RIDING

Can you improve your riding while out of the saddle? Yes you can!

Spending more time at home than in the saddle these days can be frustrating. Fear not, there are ways to improve your riding without even tacking up!

From working on your own fitness to watching videos - take a look at the FEI's top tips.

Click here to view full article

17/04/2020

MESSAGE FROM SPORT & RECREATION MINISTER MICK MURRAY

I am pleased to announce that the amendment to the relevant Lotterywest legislation required to establish the Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund has passed through Parliament.

The Lotteries Commission Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2020 provides Lotterywest with temporary powers to more readily develop programs providing urgent financial relief to organisations including not-for-profit sporting groups, and will expedite the distribution of funding.

Funding will be available for sporting organisations to apply for through the Event Cancellation Relief for Arts, Sports and Community Groups program and the Resilient Arts, Sports and Community Groups program.

While the specific details and the opening and closing dates of these grant programs are still being worked through, I would encourage all organisations who believe they may be eligible for support to register by contacting Lotterywest on 133 77 or via grants@lotterywest.wa.gov.au to ensure they receive all the details about making an application as they become available.  I would also encourage State Sporting Associations to make sure that this information is relayed to your clubs and associations.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has also developed a KidSport Club Support Package, which will include extending all voucher expiry dates until 30 June 2020 and placing refunds on hold whilst we work towards an option for this funding to remain within the sector. The Department is also exploring options around opening additional KidSport rounds once the COVID-19 related restrictions on sporting activities are lifted, to support getting kids back into sport.

Additionally, the State Government is considering how the State Sporting Infrastructure Fund can support maintenance and minor capital works projects to provide job creating work for small to medium construction firms.

Local governments are also being strongly encouraged by the State Government to bring forward infrastructure spending and commence infrastructure projects immediately where possible, to assist with maintaining jobs in the trade, construction and professional services industries.

In closing, I believe I speak for all of you in passing on our thanks to staff working in a range of government agencies supporting the sector through these difficult times. I know their work is appreciated by many.

17/04/2020

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH is a regular series on our the Equestrian Australia website. It is a way of highlighting the tireless Equestrian Australia volunteers from across all disciplines, who help keep our sport running smoothly, all over Australia.

This month we say THANK YOU to Liane Bolger, of Jumping Western Australia. Thanks Liane!

Click here to read full article

16/04/2020

#RidersConnected

Being physically apart is difficult, but equestrians are a strong community.

Riders, fans and friends from all equestrian disciplines, in every country and at every level, know the importance of staying connected and supporting each other.

EquiRatings have joined with a group of partners to launch the #RidersConnected platform.

The website is now live and shares messages of support from around the world, games, videos or online offerings in coaching and judging which could be useful, informative, distracting, or inspiring.

Visit the website here

23/04/2020

SADDLES PLUS EQUESTRIAN WA INTERSCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP 2020 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 

Massive thank you to all entrants and congratulations to primary rider,Mia Di Candilo and secondary rider, Eloise Trolove on winning the Saddles Plus Equestrian WA Interschool 2020 Scholarship announced earlier today via Saddles Plus Facebook livestream. 

As part of their scholarship, both riders will get 20% discount off full priced items at the Saddles Plus for the next 12 months and also a one-off 30% discount for a brand new saddle. On top of that, they will also receive a Saddles Plus shirt, jacket and saddle blanket too.

20/04/2020

RISING STARS CLINICS CONTINUE (VIRTUALLY!)

COVID-19 may have temporarily halted equestrian events but that doesn't mean that the learning stops for our 2020 Maitland Park Rising Stars. In partnership with our wonderful major sponsor, Gill Botten of Maitland Park, Rising Stars clinic content is being delivered virtually.

Course content covers material contained in the Introductory General Riding and Horse Management workbooks. With ample content to keep riders busy throughout April and May, the virtual clinics were designed to keep Introductory participants on track for their assessments, despite the current disruptions.

Last week, Introductory Rising Star riders were issued with their first General Riding online lesson. Lesson one started with the basics of ride movements and tracks (as voiced by our CEO, Dwight Pedlow). Riders are asked to examine each movement, make an assessment and - although they haven't been told this yet - they will be issued with a challenge to compile a video of themselves riding key movements. We look forward to sharing some of these videos as the virtual clinics progress.

The next phase will focus on Horse Management and, in particular, equine health and fitness. Riders can expect to see their next video shortly and will be asked to complete a series of tasks.

We are so pleased that we are able to continue the Rising Stars program in this format. We wish to sincerely thank Gill Botten for her support of this initiative and for being so generous with her time in preparing the content (plus a huge thank you to Sara Botten for being the videographer!). Finally, we would like to thank our Rising Stars participants for their enthusiasm toward this initiative. We look forward to seeing what you've been doing and sharing your successes with the wider EWA community.

23/04/2020

THREE-DAY EVENT SETS SIGHTS ON 2021

The Board of the Australian International 3-Day Event are today advising supporters and partners that this year’s event will be cancelled due the COVID-19 crisis.

The difficult decision was made by the Board last week after considering all options and follows the impact COVID-19 has on all Governments, events and communities.

Board Chair Greg Rolton said it was particularly disappointing given the success of last year’s event, which was a lead up to the now deferred Tokyo Olympic games.

Click here to read full statement

22/04/2020

THANK YOU FROM THE SHWA COMMMITTEE

Thank you to the many members who responded to our survey on the 2020 Horse of the Year.  We appreciate your input and the care you took in answering the questions. Your responses will be a great help in organising the event later in the year

The results from the survey can be viewed here.

Please note that there will be no qualification required for the 2020 Horse of the Year or the Saddles Plus 2020 Newcomers. Membership of EWA and a Show Horse Licence is all that is needed for HOTY and the Newcomers a Newcomers Card will also be required. 

Please note that any updates re-HOTY and the Nationals will be via the weekly Equestrian WA e-news and our Facebook page.

15/04/2020

FEI CLARIFIES RULES REGARDING ONLINE COMPETITIONS 

EA High Performance has received confirmation from the FEI that the information circulating regarding the running and participation of athletes and officials in online competitions is correct and accurate as per the International Dressage Officials Club correspondence.

In an email sent to FEI officials and Judges Hans-Christian Matthiesen, President of the International Dressage Officials Club, clarified the rules regarding online competitions and the ramification of participating in these events. We encourage our athletes and officials to ensure they are informed and familiar with the rules.

The full email, along with all details and relevant rules, can be found by clicking the link here.