Victoria Pendleton starts training with point-to-point rides [VIDEO]
Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton is to ride two Alan Hill-trained horses as she embarks on her first point-to-point season as a jockey.
She will be riding Sedgemoor Express, a seven-year-old black gelding, and According To Sarah, a seven-year-old chestnut mare.
Earlier this year Victoria, who retired from competitive cycling after London 2012, was set the challenge by Betfair to start riding and secure an amateur jockey’s licence.
She has now ridden in two races under Rules and by March she is hoping to be ready to take part in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham.
Sedgemoor Express, previously trained by Nigel Hawke in Devon, was spotted at last month’s Doncaster sales.
He has won six times in his career, most recently at Wetherby in May, ridden by Tom Scudamore.
According to Sarah was formerly trained by Philip Hobbs in Somerset. She has raced 20 times under Rules, winning twice.
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The two horses have been bought by the Betfair Racing Club.
Victoria will also have the opportunity to ride the former Paul Nicholls-trained racehorse Join Together.
Having never sat on a horse before the challenge began, she has now progressed to jumping thanks to guidance from eventing chef d’equipe Yogi Breisner.
“I am really excited about getting to know Sedgemoor Express and According To Sarah,” said Victoria.
“Since I first started on this journey with Betfair, Lawney and Alan Hill and Yogi Breisner, I’ve ridden a variety of horses.
“The ride that Mighty Mambo gave me in the charity race at Newbury will always be a special memory, similarly the rush of adrenaline I felt after finishing second on Royal Etiquette in my debut under rules at Ripon was an incredible feeling.
“I’m very lucky that I ride out at Woodway Farm under Lawney and Alan’s expert guidance as it allows me to ride a wide variety of horses, something I realise is a key if I am to progress in this incredibly demanding and ambitious challenge.”
Alan added: “It’s always fantastic to work with someone who has a very natural rapport with horses and Victoria is certainly that kind of person.
“She has always taken a keen interest in the welfare and care of the horses and that is important in our line of work. She has schooled Sedgemoor Express over fences and rode well, it’s clear she is already starting to bond with both horses.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.