Gymnastics is a tricky sport at the best of times – and it’s even tougher when it is being done on top of a galloping horse.

But that does nothing to put off the talented pupils at Borden Riding School, The Nook, Sittingbourne.

The centre, which caters for children and teenagers with disabilities, put on a show on Saturday for members of the public to marvel at students’ abilities.

It is entirely government funded due to its success rate in getting its attendees to pass a variety of horse-training and riding qualifications.

Those who attend the school are taught how to properly care for a horse and how to disabilities range from autism to mobility problems, in a variety of different ways.

She said: “We have children that really don’t socialise.

“They have anger issues, they don’t understand things socially, and then they come along, work with my horses and then they get a bond with them. The horses begin to trust them. Once they get past that stage, they ride them and learn the co-ordination.

“The children learn to take responsibilty and look after something.”

Some of Sherrilee’s young charges are also on their way to becoming vaulting competitors in Team GB.

One of her star pupils is Jasmine Buck, 16, who has Asperger’s syndrome and special educational needs.

She has just received a £28,000 student apprenticeship from the government to allow her to continue honing her skills and get her horse training qualifications.

Sherrilee, who also works as a foster carer, is hoping to get more funding to expand the centre as the eight available spaces at the school are currently filled and there is a long waiting list.

She says that it is not surprising so many parents want to get their children involved, as when they see the sport for the very first time, their “mouths drop open” from shocked admiration.