Community
21 May, 2026
RDAV hope to remain in the saddle
THE Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria (RDAV) Terang branch is hopeful it can resume operations if enough interest is generated at upcoming come and try days.
The group’s activities were put on hold this year after Hampden P-12 withdrew student participation after 14 years, leaving members uncertain what future the group has without participants.
RDAV Terang branch president and head coach Sally Watson said she was hopeful enough participants could be secured to continue the program’s long-standing history.
“If we could organise around 12 people on a Thursday morning, it would get us going again,” she said.
“We’ve got the capability of having 16 riders come in on a Thursday morning at this stage, but we don’t have anyone.
“We have been able to organise with RDAV that we could run a 10-week program for $100 and we will waive the rider fee to get started.
“If we had a school group wanting to come it would be wonderful – I’ve approached some local schools, two of which felt it was a good idea and passed it onto the relevant people.
“It’s disappointing we couldn’t run this year because RDAV have been running for over 30 years, and RDAV Terang actually raised the funds to build the indoor school out at Glenormiston – which cost $660,000 to build.”
Mrs Watson said RDAV provides a range of equine-assisted activities which improves physical, mental and emotional outcomes for participants – from growing confidence to enhanced use of muscles to improved balance.
“Horse riding offers exercise which is similar to walking, but you’ve also got the social aspect of working with a very patient horse,” she said.
“There is additional exercise out in the fresh air where you can learn independent skills while also working as a team.
“The mental aspect, such as building confidence and all those sorts of things, also provides a noticeable benefit.”
The branch is able to use the Equestrian Centre at Glenormiston College and has sufficient volunteers to provide both instruction and horses, but will now rely on interest to keep the program running.
“We’re very thankful to Glenormiston College owner, Dean Montgomery, who doesn’t charge us anything to use the facility,” she said.
“It’s very good of him, however, unless we get some riders then we just won’t be operating.
“If anyone wants to come across and have a try of horse riding, and if they’ve got some form of a disability, they can.
“We’ve got a maximum weight limit of 45 kilograms because of the size of the horses.”
Come and try days will be held on Thursday, July 2 and the following Thursday, July 9 from 10am-12noon.
Anyone interested in participating or with any further questions was invited to contact Mrs Watson on 0419 593 914.
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