Statement by the Chair of Equestrian Queensland - Eventing Queensland Sport Committee

On 26 February 2014 the Board of Equestrian Queensland advised members of the then Eventing Queensland committee of its intention to disband the committee due to irreconcilable differences.

The Board took this action in accordance with its powers under clauses 34 and 45.1 of the Equestrian Queensland Inc. constitution.

The decision was not taken lightly and followed a series of incidents in the preceding months where individual members of the Eventing Queensland committee had contacted the Equestrian Queensland office, members of the Board of Equestrian Queensland and members of the Board of Equestrian Australia to complain about each other.    

The Board considered this behaviour was not in the best interests of the sport.

The Board’s concerns about the committee’s lack of cohesion were expressed at a meeting with members of the committee and representatives of Kooralbyn Equestrian Group in August 2013.  A representative of the board of directors of Equestrian Australia chaired this meeting.

On 11 February 2014 the Finance Director of Equestrian Queensland, received a formal complaint about financial irregularities in the Eventing Queensland sport committee accounts, pertaining specifically to two Eventing Queensland events.  The complaint was also sent to the organisation’s auditors.

An internal investigation was conducted. A request for information was sent to those members of the Eventing Queensland sport committee who were involved with the running of each of the two events.

The complaint was about income from two events held in November 2013 not being recorded as deposited in the Eventing Queensland bank account.

At no stage were any allegations made against specific members for any wrongdoings or misconduct.

The investigation found that in both cases, the concerns were valid and the Eventing Queensland accounts were incorrect.

The Board acknowledged most of the problems stemmed from the Equestrian Queensland office being without a financial officer for a considerable period of time, and took immediate action to liaise with our auditor to remedy the situation. 

The other issue related to committee members retaining funds for prolonged periods of time. 

The Board has become aware this situation is not unique to Eventing Queensland and has taken action to ensure all sport committees have access to bank account details so they can deposit funds and deal with cash in a more timely and efficient manner and minimise the risk for our committee members.

Clause 42.2 of the constitution requires nominations for election to Equestrian Sport Committees to be called at least 48 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.   

With the Annual General Meeting set for 19 March 2014, the Board acted in accordance with the clause 45.2 of the constitution and called for expressions of interest for casual vacancies on the entire committee.

Expressions of interest were called on 27 February and closed on 7 March. 

All members of the former Eventing Queensland committee were invited to nominate and were encouraged to seek out other members whom they believed want the best for their sport, to do the same.

A total of 14 responses were received for seven positions.

An independent selection committee reviewed the responses and recommended a group of people whom it believed would be able to work cohesively as a team in the best interests of the sport.

This included three members of the former committee. Subsequently two of those members have tendered their resignations.  While disappointing, the Board respects those decisions and acknowledges the efforts and dedication of former members of the committee.

During the selection process all applicants were asked to identify which office, if any, they were interested in fulfilling.  Under the circumstances, the Board accepted the recommendations of the selection committee and endorsed the selection of office bearers. 

The Board acknowledges the sport committee’s constitutional right to appoint its own office bearers and discussed this with the incoming committee members.

Maintaining continuity of the sport of eventing for our members is paramount.

The Board looks forward to working with the new committee to achieve our shared vision to be an organisation that the equestrian community wishes to be part of.

Peter Toft

Chair

Equestrian Queensland

18 March 2014