RDA Seymour Centre

04/06/2026

Ever notice your hand...or more likely your student’s or volunteer’s hand...slowly creeping up the lead rope?

You start with a good length, giving your horse room to move. But over time, that hand inches forward until it’s right at the clip again!

It seems like a small habit, but it has a big (and negative) impact on the horse.

A tight lead restricts your horse’s movement, balance, and alignment. If there’s a student on their back while this is happening, it also affects the quality of the ride they receive.

Now, I’m not saying hand placement is “set it and forget it.” Just like with reins, lead rope position should be intentional and dynamic.

✅ Try adding a visual marker, like a piece of tape on the lead rope, to give people an easy “baseline” for hand placement.
✅ But more importantly, teach them to be mindful and deliberate about how and when they adjust.

Next time you’re leading, take a moment to check your hands. That quick check-in can make all the difference...and your horse will thank you!

20/05/2026

Every week, they show up.

Before work.
After school drop-off.
In the cold.
In the heat.
Quietly, consistently, without asking for recognition.

They lead horses.
Walk beside riders.
Make cups of tea.
Pick up equipment.
Listen. Encourage. Cheer.

And because they do, children and adults with disability experience something powerful:
confidence, calm, connection, and a place where they truly belong.

Our 1,200+ volunteers are the heart of Riding for the Disabled Victoria.

Many say they came to help others — but stayed because the experience changed them too.

“Watching someone discover what they are capable of… there is nothing like it.”

This National Volunteer Week, we simply want to say thank you.
For every early morning, every patient moment, every quiet act of kindness.

You change lives more than you know.

20/05/2026

A huge THANK YOU to all our wonderful volunteers 🙏🙏. Whether you are a horse checker, horse handler, side walker, maintenance person, record keeper, coach, committee member or contribute your time in any way at all, WE COULD NOT RUN WITHOUT YOU. You are amazing people to work with and you are making such a difference to our participants’ lives. Heartfelt thanks.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please message me and I will be more than happy to discuss. We are always looking for extra volunteers. 🐴🐴

27/04/2026

This young lady only started with us on Thursday. We couldn’t believe it was her first time on a horse - she was a natural and clearly enjoyed the experience, which we love to see.

06/04/2026

RDA Seymour wishes one of our newest volunteers, Viv and one of our longest-standing volunteers, Coral both a very happy April birthday. Best wishes to you both 🥳🎂🎉

20/03/2026

Yesterday we held an Easter-themed lesson day for the final lesson of Term 1 for our school groups. We played Easter bingo, as well as a spelling game and an egg and spoon challenge - all while riding in the arena of course.
It was great to see our new riders having fun and our new horse, Irish taking it all in his (very big) stride. 🐴🐴

17/02/2026

Meet Irish! He's the latest addition to our team of horses at RDA Seymour and has kindly been leased to us for 12 months by his owner, Lee. He is settling in beautifully, and measuring in at 15.3, he will be a fabulous addition for our adolescent and adult riders.

17/02/2026

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA (SEYMOUR CENTRE)

NOTICE OF THE 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

RDA Seymour will be holding their AGM on Thursday March 5th 2026, at 11 am

Location: RDA Building, Kings Park Reserve, Seymour (parking is available at the rear oval)

AGENDA:
Welcome
Apologies
Confirmation of 2025 AGM Minutes (13/3/2025)
President’s Report
Treasurer’s Report

Election of 2026 Executive and General Committee Members.
All positions to be declared vacant.

The AGM will be followed by a general committee meeting.

The AGM is open to everyone.
For enquiries please email [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

18/12/2025

Well the weather interfered with our plans for end of year activities with our riders today and lessons had to be cancelled. So we finished an incredible year in a more sedate way, with a recognition of Coral’s recent RDAV Lifetime Membership, as well as lifetime
Membership for RDA Seymour, followed by an end of year lunch for those volunteers who braved the heat.

I would like to thank our incredible volunteers, horse checkers, coaches and exec committee. Nothing is possible without you! Thanks go to our retiring and relocating volunteers who sadly won’t be a part of the team in 2026. We will miss you!

Thanks to our generous horse owners who have entrusted us with their horses throughout the year for our evaluation and inclusion in our program.

Thanks to all the donors and benefactors who have supported us this year and enabled us to provide many hours of lessons to our participants, including Seymour Coaches and Mawsons Quarries and to our anonymous donors. Thanks to all the professional services that support us, including our farrier Leigh Mannix and our vets Seymour Equine Clinic. We truly appreciate the care and attention you give our horses. Thanks also to RDAV for all the behind the scenes support, the governance, education, accreditation and training.

We will be resuming lessons once school starts up in 2026. We are always looking for new volunteers - please message me if you are interested - all skill levels are welcome, and horse experience is not essential.

In the meantime we wish all our friends, supporters, volunteers and participants a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

09/12/2025

THE RDAV CHRISTMAS RAFFLE IS HERE! 🎄
We’ve packed this year’s raffle with gorgeous prizes — and you’re going to want a ticket

FIRST PRIZE: A pair of iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses – perfect for summer! 😎
PLUS an incredible line-up of festive goodies:
Australian Open Ground Passes – get courtside this January!
Off The Track Merchandise Pack – perfect for retired racehorse fans
Uncle John’s Licorice Family Pack – a crowd favourite
Hampers – absolutely bursting with goodies
🎁 …and more!

When you buy a ticket, you’re not just entering a raffle…
- You’re helping a child take their first independent ride.
- You’re giving someone confidence, connection and pure joy.
- You’re keeping our incredible horses happy and healthy.

Tickets: just $10 each
Raffle closes: 19th December 2025
Drawn: 19th December 2025
Grab your tickets now: https://shoutforgood.com/event-ticketings/rdav-christmas-raffle-2025

Please share this post with your friends, family and horse lovers — every ticket helps us deliver more life-changing moments in the arena.