Become a Rider

Participants are accepted with a variety of disabilities including; intellectual, physical or behavioural disabilities.

Please view our Contraindications list in the resource section at the bottom of this page for conditions that may restrict your participation in an RDAV program.

We accept participants between the ages of 3-85, however, this is dependent on your centre having the appropriate horse. More information about this can be found on the individual centre pages in “Find a Centre”.

All RDAV programs are developed and supervised by specially qualified coaches, using RDA accredited horses and trained volunteers. Coaches also assess every individual to ensure safety for all riders—across all our activities.

We offer recreational riding (including dressage and jumping), carriage driving, therapeutic riding and horse mastership programs. More detail on the programs your nearest centre provides can be found on the individual centre pages in “Find a Centre”.

An annual registration fee of $215 is payable to RDAV, and each Centre charges session fees which can be found on the individual centre pages in “Find a Centre”. The charge depends on the Centre’s costs and is reviewed annually. Payment is usually made per term or annually.

There’s a waiting list of 1 to 3 years for all metropolitan Centres, particularly for Saturday sessions. Most Regional Centres operate only on weekdays and may have waiting lists.

Most Centres offer weekly or fortnightly programs. Riders benefit most from regular attendance, and we appreciate advance notice of absence.

Sessions will be cancelled when the temperature is over 30 degrees. Sessions may also be cancelled for other reasons; for example, on days of extreme fire danger, particularly in rural areas.

No programs are provided during school holidays.

Please dress for physical activity. Shorts or skirts are not suitable; long pants are best. While waiting for a session to commence, a sunhat or rain jacket may be handy, or warm clothing in winter. Footwear should be sturdy and enclosed; thongs or sandals are not suitable. Be Sunsafe—please wear Sunscreen. Most Centres provide mandatory helmets and riding boots.