The Equestrian Federation of Jamaica (EFJ), led by President Heidi Lalor, has launched a major governance reform process aimed at modernising the federation’s constitution and aligning it with international standards.
On Sunday, March 1, Lalor and members of the EFJ executive met with Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda in a working session to draft key amendments to the federation’s constitution, which dates back to 1995 and is considered outdated for the demands of modern sport administration.
The reforms are intended to bring EFJ governance in line with International Federation standards, JOA expectations, and evolving governance principles across the Olympic movement.
The reform initiative also comes as the EFJ has secured US$65,000 in international grant funding from the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) in 2026 to support equestrian development in Jamaica, including recovery initiatives following Hurricane Melissa.
Lalor noted that governance and accountability are critical considerations when international federations allocate development grants.
“International grant funding requires strong governance, transparency, and accountability,” Lalor said. “Ensuring that our constitutional framework meets modern standards helps strengthen the confidence that international partners place in Jamaica’s equestrian programme.”
Among the key reforms being proposed are three major amendments designed to strengthen governance and regulatory compliance.
The first introduces four-year presidential and executive terms, aligning the federation’s leadership cycle with the Olympic Games cycle, a standard widely used across international sport.
The second focuses on modernising the federation’s constitution and bylaws to support key sport policies, including anti-doping compliance, safeguarding and athlete welfare, horse welfare, and the appropriate use of Jamaica’s national flag in international competition.
The third ensures the federation’s full compliance with Government regulatory requirements for charitable organisations, including obligations under the Charities Act and reporting requirements administered by the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies (DCFS) and the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ).
The constitution review also introduces provisions covering key areas now required across international sport, including safeguarding and athlete welfare, horse welfare, anti-doping compliance, and a strengthened Code of Ethics.
Lalor said these updates reflect global governance standards and the increasing regulatory requirements placed on national federations.
Jamaican Olympian Samantha Albert, who represented the country in equestrian sport at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, currently serves as the Secretary General of the EFJ board. Her inclusion reflects a growing global movement to integrate athlete voices directly into sport governance.
The governance push also reflects Lalor’s participation in the ASOIF–IOC Women’s Leadership Workshop held in Lausanne, Switzerland, October 25–27, 2025.
Lalor attended the programme following a direct invitation from FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who also serves as Chair of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
In extending the invitation, Ibáñez wrote: “As a passionate advocate for gender equality and diversity.”
Each international federation was invited to nominate a representative for the programme, and Lalor described the invitation as a significant endorsement for Jamaica’s equestrian leadership.
“This was a landmark endorsement in support of our Federation,” Lalor said.
Participants in the workshop also attended the opening of the International Federation Forum, where IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the first woman elected to lead the International Olympic Committee, delivered the opening address.
“In Lausanne, there was a move to strengthen sporting organisations by strategically including Olympians in executive positions and as athlete representatives who bring expert resources and experience to the table,” Lalor said. “Jamaica has proudly already achieved this.”
She also noted that equestrian sport occupies a unique position within the Olympic programme.
“Equestrian sport is the only Olympic discipline where men and women compete together on equal terms. Equality has always been embedded in our sport.”
Samuda said constitutional reform is essential to strengthening governance in sport organisations.
“Constitutions are policy documents that characterise and measure the integrity and culture of an organisation and establish a legal framework for the conduct of the business of the organisation, with transparency and accountability being critical features,” Samuda said.
“In this context, the Equestrian Federation, with the JOA's assistance, is perfecting its articles as part of a governance model that we commend to our members.
“We are simplifying concepts of good governance, creating a more conducive legislative environment that will better facilitate the business of sport and institutionalising democratic principles. A critical factor of the sustainability of sport is constitutional viability; the EFJ understands and embraces this. Sport has transitioned from rule books to enacting legislation.”
The EFJ expects to finalise refinements to the amendments ahead of the follow-up Extraordinary General Meeting, where the revised constitution is expected to be formally adopted.