Canadian Eventing and Dressage Canada are leading the way when it comes to progressive sport governance change within Equine Canada (EC).

EC’s governance structure recently changed due to the new By-laws implemented in September 2015 after a voting process that saw a 97% approval rate from the voting membership. The new model is the direct result of hard work, collaboration and contributions from EC staff, the EC board, volunteers, stakeholders and key partners.

“The new By-laws and resulting changes to the EC governance model are an important step in creating a new culture at EC, based on accountability, teamwork and mutual respect between the Board, staff and volunteers,” said Equine Canada CEO, Eva Havaris. “I commend Canadian Eventing and Dressage Canada for stepping up to the plate as the first disciplines to adopt a new governance structure that allows for streamlined and modernized operations, increased procedural efficiency, responsive decision making, and removal of duplications and inefficiencies.”

As a result of the new overarching organizational structure, sport governance changes will also be rolled out for all of EC’s disciplines. As the first two disciplines to implement a new governance model, Canadian Eventing and Dressage Canada are leading the way.

Key changes to the governance model for Canadian Eventing and Dressage Canada are as follows:

• Reduced governing layers to reorient and expedite the decision-making process around a lean, coordinated and strategic approach to sport development.

• Sub-committees have been disbanded and replaced with one high level strategic committee, with 5-9 members appointed for their expertise and skill-sets with consideration given to diversity, including without limitation, national/international experience, technical competency in the sport, region, and linguistic balance.

• Roles, responsibilities and accountability of staff and volunteers have been clarified to create stronger and more productive working relationships, which will result in a more meaningful and impactful volunteer and staff experience within EC.

“The transition into the new governance structure for Canadian Eventing has gone extremely well,” said Canadian Eventing Committee Chair, Peter Gray. “I am optimistic that we will be able to conduct our business in an efficient and conscientious way and provide better service to the membership across Canada. CEO Eva Havaris has worked hard to help us come up with concise terms of reference that will work very well for our sport. I am encouraged by the shift in focus to membership-oriented service by the Equine Canada office and I think it bodes well for all of the disciplines under EC’s umbrella.”

Dressage Canada Committee Chair, Victoria Winter also spoke highly of the governance changes, stating, “I am honoured to be part of this new Dressage Canada Committee and look forward to working with my fellow committee members for the furtherance of the sport of dressage in Canada.”

The official committee members appointed to EC’s newly revamped discipline committees, based on their discipline-specific competencies and expertise, as well as their general strengths as collaborators and strategic thinkers are as follows:

Canadian Eventing Committee
Name / Hometown
Peter Gray (Committee Chair) / Orangeville, ON
Ruth Allum / Ashton, ON
Peggy Hambly / Guelph, ON
Jennifer Holling / Ocala, FL
Julie Johansson / Oliver, BC
Sue Ockendon / Knowlton, QC
Rob Stevenson / Lakeside, NB
John Rumble / Schomberg, ON
Kellie Towers / Burlington, ON

Dressage Canada Committee
Name / Hometown
Victoria Winter (Committee Chair) / Toronto, ON
Christilot Boylen / Toronto, ON
Jean Duckering / Red Deer, AB
Susan Fraser / Port Williams, NS
Joan Macartney / Manotick, ON
Karen Pavicic / Surrey, BC
Sheila Skene / Victoria, BC
Liz Steacie / Brockville, ON
Birgit Valkenborg / Sainte-Marthe, QC

For more information on Canadian Eventing and Dressage Canada, visit www.equinecanada.ca.