MEMBERSHIP

The Constitution article reference changed from Article 31.1 to Article 34.1. The amendment threshold clause ('may only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Directors') has been removed from the Introduction.

Equestrian Northern Territory has been explicitly added as the seventh Branch of EA, subject to Rule 5.2(h) of the EA Constitution.

A two-tier system now distinguishes Honorary Life Member (EA) — requiring EA Board approval with no fees — from Honorary Life Member (State Branches), where the State Branch covers the EA portion of fees and insurance levies.

Two new Individual Member categories have been added: Recreational members (non-competitive) and Horse Owner, expanding the list from three to five individual membership types.

The phrase 'excluding State voting rights' has been removed. Junior Competitor members may now attend and vote at General Meetings through their nominated parent or guardian as per rule 5.1(b)(ii) of the EA Constitution.

Effective 1 July 2026, the Competitor – Life category is closed to new applications. Existing holders retain all rights and privileges for life at the original discounted rate. These memberships are personal and non-transferable.

A new Recreational member category has been created for persons who enjoy horse riding for pleasure (non-competitive). Includes Senior (18+) and Junior (under 18) sub-categories.

A new Supporter sub-category has been added: Supporter – Entity Horse Owner, for groups/entities listed as owners of EA Registered Horses.

The NCAS and NOAS accreditation acronyms have been removed. References now simply read 'EA Coach Accreditation' and 'EA Officials Accreditation'.

The benefits table has been greatly expanded. The 2026 version individually lists all 12 individual member sub-categories and 3 group affiliate types across detailed benefit rows, including new benefits such as Access to Integrity and Performance Records.

A new 'Access to Integrity' benefit has been added and applies to all 12 individual member sub-categories. This benefit did not exist in the 2013 Bylaws.

Governance rights are now explicitly listed per sub-category. All individual members (including Recreational) can attend and vote at General Meetings and vote on Director Ballots. Recreational Senior members may also nominate for Elected Director. Junior members exercise rights through their parent or guardian.

A new dedicated benefits table for Group Affiliates (10.2) has been created, separating them from individual members. Club Affiliates, Sport Affiliates, and Commercial Groups are individually listed with their specific entitlements, including governance rights via a nominated representative.

The ACT residency clause now explicitly references rule 5.2(c) of the EA Constitution. The 100km rule reference has also been updated from 'this clause' to '2.6(a)(i)'.

Life Horse Registration and Base Horse Registration definitions have been renumbered from lettered sub-clauses (a)–(b) to numbered sub-clauses 7.2.1–7.2.2. Content is otherwise identical.

Individual Member termination (now 9.1) is listed before Group Affiliate termination (now 9.2), reversing the 2013 order. The content of the termination grounds is otherwise identical.

A new Document Review section has been added at the very front of the Bylaws, establishing formal version control. It states the Bylaws will be reviewed on a regular basis by EA and includes a version history table tracking commencement dates, endorsement dates, endorsing body and next revision date. The 2026 version (Version 3) commences 1 July 2026, was endorsed by the EA Board on 10 June 2026 via circular resolution, with the next revision due July 2028.

An entirely new Section 11 provides formal definitions across 10 sub-sections covering general terms, membership categories, age-related definitions, event types, horse registration, accreditation, insurance, geographic/jurisdictional terms, governance, and special categories.

A new Section 12 sets out standard interpretation rules: singular includes plural, gender neutral language, persons includes corporations. Where inconsistency exists with the Constitution, the Constitution prevails; where inconsistency exists with EA General Regulations, these Bylaws prevail for membership matters.