AEA History
In early 2002, representatives of a number of State and National horse breed and sports organisations met in Queensland, firstly in Toowoomba and then in Gatton, to analyse ways in which they could best be represented on a collective national basis. This was all brought about by the crisis then besetting the insurance industry.
Issues such as the financial burden of insurance premiums, inadequate access to training, education and funding, and the need for cohesive industry advocacy, were all discussed. The meetings resulted in an affirmation of the need for a new national organisation to be formed. A name was chosen for the new organisation, being the Australian Equine Alliance, and a steering group was established.
The principal work of the steering group was the development of a "mission statement", "aims and objectives" and "understandings" for the AEA.
A number of understandings were adopted – among them the following:
- None of the activities of the AEA will, or will be permitted to, interfere with the internal operations of any Alliance Member Bodies.
- It is the expressed intention of the AEA to permit Alliance Member Bodies to continue to operate as they have but to value-add to existing benefits through additional benefits created through membership of the AEA.
- National horse breed or horse sports organisations and their affiliates can become Alliance Member Bodies.
- Only one national body of a nominated horse sport or horse breed can be an Alliance Member Body.
- It is anticipated that up to thirty national horse breed and horse sport organisations will become Alliance Member Bodies.
Between 2002 and 2005 the need for the AEA increased significantly. Three years of research and planning have preceded the launch of the AEA in November 2005 – a commercial answer where it was acknowledged that a "committee" approach could not work.
