5 October 2001

Dear Member of the EFA,

 RE: EFA LTD ANNUAL ELECTIONS

I am writing to you to request your support and your vote. This is the first time that members of the EFA have voted directly for directors at a national level. In the past directors have been nominated by the state branches.

This is not a state branch election.

Whilst the EFA nationally does a good job, I feel that a number of significant areas are being overlooked or are not being adequately addressed at a national level.

Briefly some of my concerns are:-

• Lack of profile of equestrian sports in Australia.
• Poor promotion of equestrian sports prior to and after the Olympics. Australia’s results were outstanding yet the promotion of the sport has been inadequate. We have already missed some great opportunities to promote our sport both to the general public, corporate sponsors and supporters and this situation must be rectified.
• Lack of accountability of national funds. The State branches of the EFA make a considerable financial contribution to the funding of the national body. I am not suggesting that this contribution is unwarranted, however with the various local councils and riding clubs continually struggling to fund their operation and events it is appropriate that a full review of funding be undertaken.
• Excess or duplicated administration costs for the EFA in general. Each State branch has its own office, its own staff, computer and administration costs.
• I am sure that all the branches are extremely efficient and hard working, however following a review of current technology, perhaps savings can be made in this area.
• Lack of benefits being provided to the general members. There are quite a few areas that the EFA nationally could consider eg. subsidized training and coaching for general members being funded in part by sponsors.
• Inability or lack of success in obtaining and retaining substantial sponsorship.

Equestrian sports nationally have at least 120,000 participants. I include EFA members, pony club members, adult riding club members and "support crew" in these numbers. Our sport has a large number of participants who invest large amounts of time and money - surely it is a sport or to some a business which requires a different approach.

In my resume (which you will receive in the mail) I expressed the need for the EFA nationally to undertake a strategic planning exercise. I feel such an exercise is fundamental to the future of the EFA, a progressive EFA and our sport. The concerns that I have mentioned above, promotion, profile, sponsorship, administration, training programs, funding etc. would all be addressed in the strategic plan.

At this election, please cast your vote in favour of able people, people who you would expect will bring a positive and progressive direction to the national body of the EFA.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any query or comment in regard to the above.
(Tel (02) 9953 0744 or 0418 215 544).

 Yours sincerely,

 James I Mathers

James Mathers
"Astin Brae"
Duffys Forest NSW
(Tel: (02) 9953 0744 , 0418 215 544)

I am a Chartered Accountant and have been in practice in Sydney since 1983.

I have dealt with a range of clients in many industries. I have acted as auditor of the EFA (NSW) for many years and prior to that provided accounting advice.

My childhood introduction to equestrian sports was through pony clubs.

Between 1972 - 1985, I competed mainly in horse trials. During these years I served on the committee of the Horse Trials Association (now HTC).

Due to business reasons I had a lengthy break from equestrian activities until 1996 when I again became involved and resumed competition in horse trials, dressage and showjumping.

Objectives

If elected my primary objective would be to encourage the Board of the EFA Ltd to undertake a strategic planning exercise. Such an exercise would be carried out utilizing the services of a professional strategic planner.

You may ask why?

Essentially I feel the EFA needs to ask some fundamental questions - find out where they are, where they want to be and determine how they are going to get there!

The strategic planning process would include input from members, focus groups, the state and the national bodies.

This plan would address the full range of challenges including administration, marketing, event management, sponsorship, training programs, elite and general rider programs.

I would encourage the Board to review its policies - there would be no "sacred cows", and to look to the needs of the general membership as well as the elite riders.

Other more radical objectives which might be explored could include subsidized training for general members; stronger linkage or possible merging with The Pony Club Association and adult riding clubs.

Conclusion

In support of my nomination I provide some comments from well known equestrians/officials.Shane Rose (Eventing) "a man of many great ideas who I encourage and support".

Rachael Sanna (nee Downs) "a professional businessman who is extremely (Dressage) positive and wants the best for our sport - an owner, a rider, a committed person".

"Jim has my full support".

Judy Dierks (Dressage) "We need business people like Jim to do the job".

Colleen Brook (Showjumping) "His business experiences combined with his love of equestrian sport should help those at the top end of decision making and promote our sport"

Heath Ryan (Eventing) "Jim represents business skills which would positively benefit the development of the EFA".

Neil Kennedy (Eventing) "Jim’s professional skills and his involvement in the sport over a long period of time makes him an ideal person to be a Board member of the Equestrian Federation of Australia".