The Equestrian Queensland (EQ) 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at Mitchelton Library, Mitchelton on Wednesday 18 March, 2025 and via Zoom.  

The business of the meeting included the presentation and adoption of the full 2024 Equestrian Queensland Annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024.  

2024 EQ Annual Report

The meeting was opened by EQ Chair, Emily Coggan who thanked all members who volunteer countless hours each year to be part of our sport commitees, advisory groups and sub committees.

In her address, Ms Coggan provided an overview of the sport in 2024 and expressed her gratitude to all EQ affiliates, clubs, members, volunteers, staff and supporters. "I’m pleased to report that our sport and membership continues to grow across the state, but it is very important to acknowledge that many of our members are continuing to do it tough with recent weather events and cost of living pressures" said Ms Coggan.

"Our sport could not happen without the knowledge and passion of our officials and volunteers who have continued to work together to deliver many successful events from local training days to international level competitions. On behalf of the Equestrian Queensland Board, I commend all those event organisers who have worked extremely hard again to get events up and running and for always putting the safety and welfare of our horse and human athletes first.

EQ continues to support all disciplines with both financial and administrative resources and as members may be aware, EQ has committed to utilising its strong surplus position to support new initiatives related to education, equestrian facility improvements and safety initiatives. We are pleased to report that EQ has continued to act on this commitment in 2024 with substantial investment into education and professional development of our volunteers, officials and coaches. We are also pleased that through effective financial management over a number of years, EQ was able to provide some relief to members in 2025 by not raising membership fees." said Ms Coggan. 

Ms Coggan extended her sincere appreciation to fellow directors Gary Lung, Peta Fielding, Dave Holland and Karim Cham for their continued support and dedication to promote, grow and develop equestrian sport. "I also would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Anita Barton, Jenny Rykoff and Rachael Spring from the Dressage Queensland Committee, Lisa Gall from the Eventing Queensland Committee, Hilary Stibbs from the Driving Queensland Committee, Erin Kerr from the Vaulting Queensland Committee and Clinton Peters from the Interschool Queensland Committee who in accordance with the EQ Constitution are required to stand down from their positions on our sport committees after serving two consecutive terms.  Our sport depends on volunteers and on behalf of EQ I thank them for their commitment to our sport".

EQ CEO, Briston Toft advised members that EQ experienced continued growth in overall revenue for the year but also increased service delivery costs. As a result, EQ is reporting a financial deficit for 2024. This was the result of EQ’s commitment to reinvest its prior year surplus back into the sport. Total income for 2024 was $2.61m. This represents growth of 17% (2023: $2.24m). Most of the increase relates to event income but also supported by growth in horse registrations and continued strong returns on our financial investment.

AGM Special Resolution

The EQ AGM Agenda included a Special Resolution proposed by the EQ Board to confer Honorary Life Membership to Irene Bakels-Noreen for distinguished service to equestrian in Queensland.

Voting on the Special Resolution was conducted by secret digital ballot and was unanimously supported by all members present, with Honorary Life Membership conferred to Irene Bakels-Noreen.

Election of Board and Sport Committees 

Elections are only held for the EQ Board and/or Sport Committees where the number of eligible nominations exceeds the number of vacancies. In this election cycle nominations for Dressage Queensland did exceed the vacancies available and therefore an election was held. 

Elections 

DRESSAGE QUEENSLAND

1. Rebecca Aitken
2. Karen Herald
3. Pamela Kingwill

Elections Unopposed

Equestrian Queensland Board

The following members have been nominated to be a Director on the Board of Equestrian Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM.

1. Brett Cantle
2. Naomi Lane

EQ Sport Committees

EVENTING QUEENSLAND

The following members have been nominated to be a representative of Eventing Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM.

1. Jo Morris
2. Kadi
3. Katelyn Simpson

VAULTING QUEENSLAND

The following members have been nominated to be a representative of Vaulting Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM.

1. Darryn Fedrick 
2. Ann Talyer Schofield
3. Skye Dunn

JUMPING QUEENSLAND

The following members have been nominated to be a representative of Jumping Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM

1. Aaron Williamson
2. Christine Bradfield
3. Wayne Crompton

INTERSCHOOL QUEENSLAND  

The following members have been nominated to be a representative of Interschool Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM. 

1. Andrew Lowson
2. Jacqui Downes
3. Sarah Hoolihan

SHOW HORSE QUEENSLAND  

The following members have been nominated to be a representative of Show Horse Queensland and were elected unopposed at the AGM. 

1. Gail Iskra
2. Rebecca Fedrick

Outstanding vacancies on Equestrian Queensland Board and Sport Committees may be directly appointed by the Equestrian Queensland Board with consultation with relevant sport committees

Equestrian Queensland Board Appointments 

The AGM was immediately followed by the first meeting of the newly elected Board of Equestrian Queensland where the following appointments were made;   

Chair - Brett Cantle

Vice Chair - Emily Coggan

Treasurer - Gary Lung 

Director - David Holland

Director - Karim Cham

Director - Naomi Lane

Director - Peta Fielding