We're taking a few weeks break, and we'll be back before you know it with some great guests and great new content. Before that we thought we'd share with you some of the highlights of Season 2 - now is your opportunity to catch up on listening to some really interesting guests discussing all things horse sport and equine welfare. Thanks for sharing our journey - and be sure to share with your friends how much you are enjoying Changing Rein!

Dr Jo Hockenhull is Head of Research at The Donkey Sanctuary. Jo has had a wide-ranging and varied career in animal welfare science – her particular interests include horse behaviour and welfare, human-animal interactions and the possibilities inherent in the science of Human Behaviour Change to improve the welfare of animals.

Jo’s research output can be found at this link:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jo-Hockenhull/research

Dr Jo Hockenhull is Head of Research at The Donkey Sanctuary.

Jo has had a wide-ranging and varied career in animal welfare science – her particular interests include horse behaviour and welfare, human-animal interactions and the possibilities inherent in the science of Human Behaviour Change to improve the welfare of animals.

Jo’s research output can be found at this link:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jo-Hockenhull/research

Background - about Meredith

Meredith Chapman was appointed as Equestrian Australia's (EA) first National Health and Safety Manager. This role was actioned following the tragic deaths of two young eventing horse riders in 2016. Meredith’s primary role was to lead the implementation of all 31 coronial recommendations following a coronial inquest. Meredith worked extensively with all Australian State, Territory, and disciplines specific committee representatives, including the Olympic High-Performance executive team reviewing, developing, and implementing improved Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) management systems, whilst maintaining sport operations. Her role required extensive consultation, evidence-based research for best-practice standards, cultural and industry change management, widespread member and stakeholder engagement and training.

Meredith developed EAs first National HSW policies, a Minimal Medical Response Framework, post incident response and crisis management plans, concussion in sport protocols and she navigated EA through the COVID pandemic. Meredith represented EA at 3 annual international FEI conferences,l and various stakeholder meetings. Meredith also developed and hosted EA first on-line National HSW conferences (2021 & 2023).

Meredith’s business management experience and academic achievements have enabled her to maintain regulatory (Australian Sports Commission), EA Board and HSW committee communications on all matters pertaining to equestrianism HSW as required. Following Voluntary Administration, she was influential in re-establishing EAs stakeholder funding and resuming sport operations. Meredith participated EA recruitment, management and training of new team members, was accountable for HSW reports, budgets, identification of training needs, insurance and legal liaison, the development and delivery of safety compliance management processes and more. Meredith has provided expert HSW leadership to assist EA in achieving a nationally aligned strategy during structural reform.

You'll find Meredith's academic publications on Researchgate