EQ Member Update – EA AGM / SGM Outcomes & Next Steps

Thank you to the many Queensland members who participated in the Equestrian Australia (EA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Special General Meeting (SGM) held on 19 November.

More than 1,600 EA members took part either in person, online via Zoom, or via proxy. A quorum of over 5% of eligible voting members (approximately 900) was reached, enabling the SGM to proceed to voting.

Following consultation with Queensland members, including the recent EQ Members Forum on 12 November, EQ voted in favour of Resolution 1 and against the remaining resolutions. As the 75% member approval threshold was not reached for any of those remaining resolutions, the votes cast by the States did not influence the outcome. 

A summary of outcomes is provided below.

Resolution 1 – Recognising Equestrian Northern Territory (ENT)

PASSED – Supported by more than 98% of members present and all State Branches.

Members and State Branches strongly endorsed formal recognition of Equestrian Northern Territory (ENT) as a Branch of EA (with limited voting rights as agreed). This outcome strengthens national cohesion and provides recognition for ENT and its members.

Resolution 2 – Constitutional Amendment Process

NOT PASSED – Not supported by 72% of members present (against or abstain) and EQ.  Supported by 28% of members present and one State Branch.

Resolution 2 proposed replacing the current dual-threshold constitutional amendment process with a simple majority of individual member votes in at least three of the seven Branch Territories. This would have:

• Allowed constitutional change without broad national agreement
• Increased the risk of changes reflecting limited geographic or discipline-specific interests
• Created imbalance within the federated model
• Reduced accountability in national decision-making
• Currently, constitutional amendments require:

1. 75% approval by voting members, and
2. Support from 5 of 6 eligible voting State Territories  (ENT do not have a vote).

This dual-threshold ensures constitutional changes have broad support from both individual members and the branches responsible for a large amount of service delivery, compliance, and risk.

EQ continues supports governance modernisation but could not support removing these safeguards at this time.

Resolution 3 – Reduction of Quorum

NOT PASSED – Not supported by 78% of members present (against or abstain) and EQ. Supported by 22% of members present and one State Branch.

Resolution 3 proposed reducing the SGM quorum from 5% (currently around 900 members) to the lesser of 1% or 200 members.

EQ did not support this proposal due to the risk that major decisions could be made by very small groups, including:

1. Decisions made by minimal participation. Significant reforms could proceed with only 200 members engaged.
2. Uneven influence between states. Larger states could dominate outcomes during proxy campaigns, reducing fairness and representation.
3. Weakened governance integrity. As a national sporting organisation with major financial, legal, safety, welfare, and international obligations, EA requires meaningful participation.
4. Greater vulnerability to proxy mobilisation. Well-organised groups could determine outcomes without broad member involvement.
5. Contrary to governance best practice. Healthy governance encourages higher participation, not lower thresholds.

EQ is open to revisiting this issue in 2026 with genuine member consultation.

Resolution 4 – Branch Membership (ENT) and EA as a Branch

NOT PASSED – Withdrawn

This resolution was withdrawn with not vote undertaken after some of proponents who signed the motion withdrew their support. It also contained legal defects, including an unworkable provision to make EA a Branch Member of itself, which was not supported by the Australian Sports Commission.

Resolution 5 – Member Choice of Branch

NOT PASSED – Not supported by 80% of members present (against or abstain) and EQ. Supported by 19% of members present and one State Branch.

Resolution 5 proposed allowing members to join any Branch regardless of residency. EQ did not support the proposal due to significant risks to:

• Branch viability and service resourcing
• The ability of state and local governments to recognise participation levels (critical for grants and leases)
• Equity and consistency in service delivery
• Cohesion within the federated national model

What Happens Next?

EQ remains strongly committed to collaborative governance reform that:

• improves transparency
• strengthens the member experience
• modernises national alignment
• protects the stability and integrity of our sport

In the coming months, EQ will continue engaging with members, clubs, disciplines, state branches, and EA to progress reform that gives members a meaningful voice while supporting a sustainable and unified national structure.

EA Director Elections
The AGM also confirmed the results of the EA Board elections:

• Brett Cantle (Equestrian Queensland member) elected to the Board until the 2028 EA AGM
• Professor Brad Frankum (Equestrian New South Wales member) elected until the 2027 EA AGM

We congratulate both successful candidates.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact [email protected]

Kind regards,

Emily Coggan Interim Chair Equestrian Queensland
Gary Lung Treasurer Equestrian Queensland
Naomi Lane Board Director
Peter Fielding Board Director
Dave Holland Board Director
Karim Cham Board Director