Equestrian Australia ICT Platform - The Facts

• Equestrian Australia, together with the state branches, is preparing to launch its new Information Communication Technology (ICT) platform ‘Equnect’ that will revolutionise the way equestrian sport operates in Australia. 
• More than just a website, this platform will feature a new membership portal, event management and registration system, education resources, online television as well as an online shop. 
• The membership portal is the key to the entire ICT platform as it will allow greater efficiencies in the way people join and renew their membership, provide increased benefits back to all EA members and overall reduce the paperwork and time that is involved in administering the sport including member renewals, recording/displaying results and horse registrations.
• One of the unique aspects of the ICT platform will be the establishment of a fully integrated event registration system that will be available to all equestrian event organisers in the country.  This first-of-its-kind event registration system will provide many benefits including:

o   Directly linking to the EA membership portal to create an ease of verifying membership details (including membership number, currency and past results) and horse registrations

o   The ability to automatically post results on the EA and other relevant websites

o   As part of the calendar posting, it also provides events the opportunity to custom build a website

o   Costs associated with using the system and any revenue generated from the system will go directly back into equestrian sport in Australia to support vital programs such as athlete development, coaching and officiating and equestrian    events around the country. This will be the only event management system in the country that will directly benefit the sport at all levels.

• The ICT platform is a major initiative that supports all the strategic priorities of Equestrian Australia that were established by representatives of all disciplines, state branches and the national office.
• The development of a membership portal that provides other online benefits for the sport required a new system to be developed.  As such EA looked for a suitable partner for the program to help get it off the ground and provide benefits back to EA.  In May 2011, EA signed a three year agreement with Inglis (through their online brand Horsezone) that provides significant financial support to assist in getting the ICT project off-the-ground.  This is the largest sponsorship arrangement EA has been fortunate enough to embark on. Inglis has a strong reputation within the equine community and its significant experience in the digital space made it the ideal partner for such venture.  This arrangement is a sponsorship, with EA owning the ICT project and all intellectual property (IP)/data from the system. 

Quick Links

• For all the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) click here.

• Stay tuned to the Equestrian Australia website for more fact sheets, FAQs.