MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EWA

After a very busy year in the equestrian landscape across WA, we have reached that time of year when many of us will start to wind down for some much-needed rest and relaxation and a chance to spend time with family and friends over the festive season.

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish our members and supporters the very best for the festive season and reflect on another big year of equestrian sport in 2022.

After joining EWA as CEO midway through the year, I have had the privilege of getting to know the people behind our incredible community as well as attend a multitude of events across the state. It’s been inspirational to see some of the on-horse performances as well as hear and learn about some of the amazing stories behind the scenes.

Congratulations to each and every one of you for your success and achievements, no matter what discipline you are from and what role you played in contributing to the success and growth of our sport.

As we look ahead to an even bigger and better 2023, I am incredibly excited for our sport and its future and look forward to the journey we are about to share.

To our valued partners, I also thank you for your ongoing support of Equestrian WA and I look forward to continuing and enhancing our partnerships in 2023.

On behalf of the Equestrian WA Board, Sport Committees and Staff, we wish you and your family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and the best of luck in your endeavours in 2023!

Zac Acott

Chief Executive Officer

Equestrian WA

VOTING FOR THE 2022 EWA ANNUAL AWARDS IS NOW OPEN!

Voting for the 2022 EWA Annual Awards is now open!

To view the full list of nominations and to cast your votes, you can simply do so via the MyEA portal under the 'Award Voting' tab on the left hand side.

Voting closes on Sunday 8 January at 11:59pm.

The EWA Awards give the equestrian community in WA the chance to celebrate the incredible people who have made an outstanding contribution to our sport in WA as an athlete, coach, administrator, owner, club, event organiser or volunteer.

It all culminates with the big gala dinner celebration on Friday 3 February at Optus Stadium, hosted by Sport Entertainment Network's Tim Gossage.

VOTE IN THE 2022 EWA ANNUAL AWARDS!

PERTH MEDIA PERSONALITY TIM GOSSAGE CONFIRMED AS MC FOR THE 2022 EWA AWARDS NIGHT - BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Equestrian WA is delighted to announce Tim Gossage as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2022 EWA Awards Night being held on Friday 3 February 2023 at Optus Stadium.

Gossage is one of Perth’s most decorated media personalities, with a career spanning more than three decades in the sporting media across TV, radio and print.

A vastly experienced Master of Ceremonies, Gossage will add a touch of polish to the EWA Awards Night, which also sees a shift of venue to Optus Stadium this year.

Gossage will also chair a panel discussion featuring award nominees and the stars of equestrian sport in WA, recapping the year that was. A Welcome to Country will also feature at the event.

The Awards Night brings the equestrian community in WA together to celebrate the major achievements of our home-grown sports stars and luminaries from the sports of Dressage, Eventing, Interschool, Jumping, Show Horse and Para-Equestrian.

Adult tickets for the event are priced at $150 and include a buffet and an unlimited drinks package. Children’s tickets (for people Under 18) are also available at a cost of $130 and include a buffet with unlimited soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages.

We look forward to welcoming the equestrian community to Optus Stadium to celebrate the people who have made an outstanding contribution to equestrian in WA as an athlete, coach, administrator, owner, club, event organiser or volunteer.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SPOT AT EQUESTRIAN'S NIGHT OF NIGHTS

SAVE THE DATE FOR WASJA AGM

The WA Showjumping Association AGM will be held on Wednesday 11 January, 2023. 

Keep checking the WASJA Facebook page for further updates on the exact time and venue. 

THANK YOU FOR A BIG 2022 AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO 2023

The Show Horse Committee would like to thank all EWA Members for competing at EWA and affiliated club events throughout 2022. We hope you had a successful season. 

We are pleased and proud that the Eastern States judges who come to our shows are very complimentary of our horses and riders and the way our shows are conducted.

As well as focussing on our team to represent Western Australia at the Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships, (“The Nationals”) we are also turning our attention to the Show Horse Awards function where we will award the Leaderboard winners andfive lucky winners of the EWA Members Triple Cash Bonanza.

To be eligible for the fantastic Triple Cash Bonanza you must have competed, either as the owner of a horse/pony or rider, at all three of the EWA Show Horse events in 2022. The three qualifying events are the Autumn Pageant, Winter Gala and the EWA and Endeavon Products Horse and Rider of the Year. The Newcomer classes are not a qualifying event. 

Based on our assessment of entries via Nominate, we have identified the EWA Members who are eligible. If you competed at all three events, and your name is not on this list please contact Val Mayger at vmayger@bigpond.net.au or on 0417 991 364 by 31 December 2022.

You would need to be able to prove that you own a horse that competed at all three events or that you rode (or participated in Lead Rein) at all three events. Entering a horse but scratching before the show or on the day does not count. CLICK HERE to find out if you are eligible. 

The Show Horse Awards function will likely be held in late January 2023.  We will advise of the date and venue in due course. There may be a small cost to cover any hire and light refreshment expenses.

The winners of the $500 first prize and four prizes of $125 in the Triple Cash Bonanza will be made by a random draw at the Show Horse Awards function. 

We look forward to celebrating the end of the show season with all our show horse competitors in a casual relaxed setting.

PARA-EQUESTRIAN JUDGES SEMINAR A GREAT SUCCESS

The recent Para Equestrian Dressage Judges Seminar highlighted the enthusiasm within the sport with dual Para bronze medallist Sharon Jarvis and Team Reserve rider for London Paralympics rider Lesley Smit attending.

They both gave the judges tremendous insight into riding at the top level as well as giving support to the other demonstration riders, and helping to create a really positive ‘vibe’ throughout the Seminar.  

The day included a written paper exam, theory sessions and practical shadow judging assessments of 12 ridden FEI Para Tests.

Four Advanced, Medium/Elementary EA Dressage judges decided to take part in the upgrade.

They wanted to help our WA PE riders by increasing the number of qualified PE judges in the State. PE riders need to be judged by two PE judges to qualify for selection to EA National squads.

Congratulations to our new EA PE Judges in WA, Denise Barker, Didy Massey, Liz Watkins and Georgina Marchesi who all passed with shining colours after Wendy Barker conducted a very successful day of PE judge education.

As well as existing PE Judges, riders, supporters and other EA Judges wanting to become more involved in the development of our local PE riders attended the seminar.

In addition, as she completes the requirements to become a Classifier, Dr Virginia Longley conducted preparatory Para Classification for 3 additional riders, so the Para discipline can look forward to bigger numbers next year!

Thank you to Wendy who created an inspiring seminar, and to Barbara Carle for being an amazing volunteer for catering, scribing and numerous other tasks during the day.

We had a variety of demonstration tests ridden from Grade I to Grade V, and many of the judges commented on how impressed they were with the quality of the ‘demo tests’.

Thank you all involved, and we look forward to the next one.

SOPHIE WELLS PARA DRESSAGE SUPER CLINIC

This clinic will be opened up to all riders to fill any places not taken by Para riders. 

Interested people are welcome to put their name down to be contacted should any places be available closer to the date of the clinic.  

People can contact Mel Cannon directly using the contact details above.