Diamond Valley
Special Developmental School ​
​Horse Riding Program

The Diamond Valley Special Developmental School is a specialist school for autistic and disabled children which was chosen to run the unique horse riding program on site.  The program is a unique, empowering and worthwhile program for our kids, and it is the only program like it in the southern hemisphere.  The program benefits a wide range of autistic and disabled children in the following ways:  

• A great form of physiotherapy – the students work their core when riding a horse.  Many students suffer from low muscle tone and other physical ailments, particularly where brain issues are involved.
• A great from of occupational therapy – each lesson sees the student working on multiple things. Using the reins to get horse to do different things. The program is then tailored to each student’s needs (eg. Reach up and put a ball in basketball ring)
• A sense of independence even though there will be significant help.
• Improved coordination, faster reflexes and better motor planning
• Stretching of tight or spastic muscles
• Sensory integration – at the end of the day, the biggest benefit is that it is fun whilst still providing the therapy that they so desperately need. A lot of these kids spend a big chunk of their week doing therapy in classrooms. It is a chore. That is why the horseriding program and pool therapy programs are so critical. They do the therapy without fighting it. 

The Commentators Club chooses a different grass roots Melbourne charity to benefit from all the hard work that goes into the luncheon each year.  

Our recipient charity partner receives a very generous donation of all funds raised (above staging costs) at the event that year.  For more information see our Previously Supported Charities page.

Previous Charities
​2018: BackPacks4Vic Kids
2017: The MAD Foundation
2016: SleepBus
2013: The Y-House Foundation