A Gloucestershire jockey travelled to a special educational needs school this week to share her story of living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to give pupils practical experience of horsemanship.
Bringing the yard to school
Lilly Pinchin, who lives in Cheltenham, took her horse, Joey, to SGS Pegasus School in Patchway, South Gloucestershire. The visit combined a talk about Pinchin’s personal experience of being a professional rider with ADHD and several hands-on activities designed to engage the pupils.
Among the activities was an equicizer — a mechanical horse used by riders to build balance and strength — which pupils tried under supervision. Staff said the equipment and the presence of a live horse helped create a memorable, calming and motivating atmosphere for the children.
Why the visit matters
Assistant headteacher Alexei Ivanovich described the session as an “enriching experience” and welcomed the chance for pupils to meet a professional who is both female and neurodivergent. The school’s aim was to demonstrate that conditions such as autism and ADHD need not limit future opportunities.
"With my ADHD, I struggled for years and years with it, and animals are incredible. Having them here will hopefully help the children later in life, or maybe even get them into animals,"
Pinchin told pupils that horses have a calming effect for her and help her manage symptoms of ADHD. One young student, Jack, said he enjoyed riding the mechanical horse and meeting Joey, adding that he received a rosette for taking part.
Practical benefits and local impact
Teachers said the visit offered benefits beyond entertainment: the equicizer supports core strength and balance, while the interaction with an animal can help with sensory regulation and emotional engagement. For a school that supports pupils with a range of special educational needs, such experiences can translate into increased confidence and new interests.
Key elements of the visit included:
- The visiting horse, Joey, brought along by the jockey.
- Hands-on use of an equicizer to practise balance and posture.
- A talk about living and working with ADHD given by a local sports professional.
This type of outreach also underlines the value of local role models. Pupils were able to see a successful professional who shares aspects of their lived experience, which staff said can broaden pupils’ ideas about what they might achieve.
| Who | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Lilly Pinchin (Cheltenham) | Talk on ADHD; brought horse Joey |
| SGS Pegasus School (Patchway) | Hosted activities; pupils used equicizer |
| Alexei Ivanovich (Assistant head) | Commented on impact for pupils |
Staff said the visit will remain part of pupils’ memories and hoped it would inspire some to explore further activities with animals in the future. For families and local schools, the event illustrates how community partnerships can support pupils’ development in practical and emotional ways.
