Victoria Pendleton training to become jockey and ride in Cheltenham Festival

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/06/victoria-pendleton-jockey-cheltenham-festival

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The Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has set her sights on riding at next year’s Cheltenham Festival after deciding to try to qualify as an amateur rider.

Pendleton, who is Britain’s most successful female Olympian, has teamed up with a bookmaker to pursue her aim of riding in the 2016 Foxhunter Chase and she is already working with the champion trainer Paul Nicholls and the eventing guru Yogi Breisner.

The former cyclist is hoping to obtain her category A amateur licence, which would allow her to ride in amateur races on the Flat and over jumps, as well as competing in the point-to-point field.

Pendleton said: “I’ve been looking for a new and exciting challenge. When Betfair approached me about the opportunity to train to become a licensed amateur jockey, it captured my imagination. I’m motivated by the scale of the challenge and the opportunity to combine my love of horses with learning a new skill under the guidance of the team of horse racing experts.

“My team and I have identified the ambitious target of riding competitively in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham Festival next year but the initial focus will be on getting me to a level whereby I am granted an amateur jockey licence, which is a significant challenge in itself given that I had never even sat on a horse until a week ago.”

Breisner, who is the eventing performance manager for Team GB, will be acting as a mentor to Pendleton and believes her athletic mind set will be a huge plus. He said: “Victoria is a hugely talented, ambitious and gutsy individual, and these traits will stand her in the best stead possible for achieving this ambitious goal. Having worked with her for a week, the progress she has already made in such a small amount of time is quite frankly remarkable. It’s a real privilege to work with Victoria on a challenge of this magnitude.

“While no one underestimates the scale of the challenge ahead, Victoria’s undoubted mental and physical strength, coupled with the team Betfair have put together to help her with this challenge, means we are in a fantastic position for Victoria to achieve the ambitious goal of riding at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016.”

Nicholls will provide full use of his facilities as well as guidance for Pendleton and he, too, has no doubts about her will to succeed. He said: “Victoria Pendleton is an outstanding athlete with a real drive and determination, so whilst this is an incredibly difficult challenge, these attributes are exactly what you need to become a jockey.

“Having the competitive mindset of an Olympic champion, I’ve no doubt will put her in a great place to succeed in this challenge whilst also shining a much deserved light on the sport of horse racing.”